On 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, faithful encouraged to renew commitment to racial equality

WASHINGTON – “As we mark the 20th anniversary of this tragedy, we remember those who were lost and displaced but also renew our commitment to racial equity and justice in every sector of public life,” said Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on African American Affairs, and Bishop Joseph N. Perry, chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism in a statement marking the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

The bishops reflected on the inequities revealed by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, and how the Church has provided a powerful witness and response in the wake of the tragedy. “Over 1,800 people lost their lives and many more suffered traumatic experiences during the aftermath. Today, the impacts of ongoing mental and physical injuries remain and today the cost of the injuries is borne unequally,” said the bishops. “The powerful witness of the Catholic Church filled the gaps of an inadequate governmental response to the tragedy. It was people of faith, moved by their hearts, who assisted in resettlement efforts in new cities, and supported rebuilding when people attempted to return home.”

Two decades later, the Church must continue to accompany the most vulnerable populations who still feel the effects of Hurricane Katrina: “As Church, let us be a lifeboat in the flood waters of injustice.”

In the immediate aftermath, the powerful witness of the Catholic Church filled the gaps of an inadequate governmental response to the tragedy. It was people of faith, moved by their hearts, who assisted in resettlement efforts in new cities, and supported rebuilding when people attempted to return home. There are many inspiring examples of how the ministries of the Church accompanied the people of the Gulf region and provided tangible immediate needs. These include:

• Catholic Charities USA and their local agencies provided and coordinated hundreds of teams of volunteers from across the country to clean, remediate and help rebuild thousands of homes.

• Catholic Home Missions Appeal provided more than $3 million in immediate financial assistance to five dioceses attending to urgent pastoral needs.

• The Catholic Campaign for Human Development gave $665,000 in special grants to low-income communities across 11 dioceses in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas funding faith-based and grassroots community and economic development projects, advocacy efforts, and long-term recovery activities.

• The Knights of Columbus provided $2 million in relief assistance.

• Through the work of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the generosity of bishops and Catholic school superintendents, 95% of Catholic school students in New Orleans were in a Catholic school somewhere in the country by October 1. 

Read the full statement is available here.