PRO-LIFE Catholic made racist remarks about too many Hispanic babies

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elsker

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Hello My name is Mary. I am Hispanic(former forum member-back again).
Code: 
 Sigh, Well let me first disclose that even though I am a cradle catholic who used to be pro-choice in my youth and after a sexual assault 22 yrs ago that resulted in pregnancy I chose to abort. I came back to my faith 10 yrs ago and repented and was absolved. However I will always feel that guilt and sorrow. 

 Now I am proudly pro-life and I am not ashamed to speak of my past with anyone and hopefully can dissuade women from making that choice. I often attend parish groups and try to witness about abortion. Well last night I was in a rosary making group and a pro- life gal brought up the sin of contraception and how whites need to stop aborting and contracepting or else the church will be flooded with Hispanic babies since "they" are the only ones not contracepting. I am used to racism. The diocese we are currently in is full of parishes whose members are sometimes elitist and often refuse the sign of peace with my family and some even vacate the pew behind us to avoid contact. I did not say anything and was hoping that the hostess of the group would say something. She instead agreed with the comments while standing besides me handing me supplies so it's not like she forgot I was in the room! I went home and discussed the situation with my family and my daughter became upset saying that she felt like the church didn't approve of her birth and -HERE'S THE ZINGER-would not have done anything to turn me from having the abortion 22 yrs ago! I got so angry at that point that I tried to call the hostess but she didn't answer so I wrote out a very thorough email and she replied quickly and accused me of being angry about her not liking my rosaries and using racism as an excuse. I have never, ever pulled the race card even in very blatant situations. She did not think there was anything wrong with the comments and made no move to take any responsibility for the comments. 

 I feel that she shouldn't have agreed with the comments and should have been willing to speak to her friend about how inappropriate that kind of language is. I thought as catholics we were supposed to correct each other if necessary and surely this case definitely called for that. I wrote to the pastor and explained the situation. Fr. has not written back yet. I am very troubled and I wonder if this is a "hidden" agenda of some pro-lifers to conserve the white race, instead of preserving the life of all babies. I know I shouldn't make crazy presumptions but since that statement was so bold and descriptive I can't help mulling it over and dissecting it. My grown adopted daughter told me that she left protestant churches and became catholic to escape those attitudes (she was with me in the group and sitting next to the woman who made the comment). So now what? I am so discouraged and want to move away from this city but what would be the point if this attitude is every where. Just to clarify I am married to a white european man so my kids are white and hispanic.
Thank you for your prayers and I’ll keep you in mine. Mary
 
Good heavens, pray for this woman. She is sadly in grave error. I have never heard of any pro life people focusing on the race of babies that are aborted. In fact we are getting reports that in New York more black babies are being aborted than born! Fr Frank of Priests for Life has been posting this information and has frequently noted that Planned Parenthood and other abortuaries tend to be located in areas with high minority populations. Dr Alveda King is also a major spokesperson for the genocide occurring in minority populations. I think this is clearly the unfortunate opinion of a couple of people. I think you’ve made your point and if it comes up again, speak up and ask the person if the consistent life ethic only applies to whites?

Lisa
 
The short answer? There are idiots in any movement. Ignore 'em, and stick with a movement for its purpose, not because of the people within it.

The longer answer: I’ve encountered a similar mentality among a few–I do emphasize a few–pro-life Catholics. I remember being involved in a teen pro-life group and overhearing two of the adult leaders commenting on how more white women had been going into the local abortion mill recently, and saying that “it was one thing when it was just those black girls, but this is unacceptable.” I jumped down their throats for that, needless to say, as did another kid who overheard it and happened to have a number of adopted minority siblings. (We got told off for “not understanding how the world works,” but that’s another story, and I’m glad we said what we did.) I don’t think it’s some sort of conspiracy, mind you; I just think that one will encounter some bigotry, whether focused on skin color or other factors, in a lot of groups.

What you describe is totally unacceptable, and it sounds as though you dealt with it well first by discussing it with her, and also by bringing it up with your pastor. If this woman is in a position of authority (and it sounds as though she is), she ought not be with this attitude.

While I’m sure I experience things differently as a white woman than I would as a hispanic woman, I would like to point out that I’ve never seen the sort of behavior that you’ve described in your parish in mine. Perhaps, though, that’s partly because I live in central/southern Texas, where hispanics, while still technically a minority, have a much larger population than in much of the rest of the U.S.
 
elsker said:
I feel that she shouldn’t have agreed with the comments and should have been willing to speak to her friend about how inappropriate that kind of language is. I thought as catholics we were supposed to correct each other if necessary and surely this case definitely called for that. I wrote to the pastor and explained the situation. Fr. has not written back yet. I am very troubled and I wonder if this is a “hidden” agenda of some pro-lifers to conserve the white race, instead of preserving the life of all babies. I know I shouldn’t make crazy presumptions but since that statement was so bold and descriptive I can’t help mulling it over and dissecting it. My grown adopted daughter told me that she left protestant churches and became catholic to escape those attitudes (she was with me in the group and sitting next to the woman who made the comment). So now what? I am so discouraged and want to move away from this city but what would be the point if this attitude is every where. Just to clarify I am married to a white european man so my kids are white and hispanic.
Thank you for your prayers and I’ll keep you in mine. Mary
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What? I’m sorry! I just want you to know that I’ve never in my life heard a Catholic pro-lifer suggest we need less babies from any ethnicity. That kind of thinking is a page straight out of the eugenics program. I repeat, I’ve never heard that from any Catholic pro-life quarter. So, that attitude is not everywhere and it definitely sounds like an anomaly to me!
 
elsker said:
Hello My name is Mary. I am Hispanic(former forum member-back again).
Code: 
 Sigh, Well let me first disclose that even though I am a cradle catholic who used to be pro-choice in my youth and after a sexual assault 22 yrs ago that resulted in pregnancy I chose to abort. I came back to my faith 10 yrs ago and repented and was absolved. However I will always feel that guilt and sorrow. 

 Now I am proudly pro-life and I am not ashamed to speak of my past with anyone and hopefully can dissuade women from making that choice. I often attend parish groups and try to witness about abortion. Well last night I was in a rosary making group and a pro- life gal brought up the sin of contraception and how whites need to stop aborting and contracepting or else the church will be flooded with Hispanic babies since "they" are the only ones not contracepting. I am used to racism. The diocese we are currently in is full of parishes whose members are sometimes elitist and often refuse the sign of peace with my family and some even vacate the pew behind us to avoid contact. I did not say anything and was hoping that the hostess of the group would say something. She instead agreed with the comments while standing besides me handing me supplies so it's not like she forgot I was in the room! I went home and discussed the situation with my family and my daughter became upset saying that she felt like the church didn't approve of her birth and -HERE'S THE ZINGER-would not have done anything to turn me from having the abortion 22 yrs ago! I got so angry at that point that I tried to call the hostess but she didn't answer so I wrote out a very thorough email and she replied quickly and accused me of being angry about her not liking my rosaries and using racism as an excuse. I have never, ever pulled the race card even in very blatant situations. She did not think there was anything wrong with the comments and made no move to take any responsibility for the comments. 

 I feel that she shouldn't have agreed with the comments and should have been willing to speak to her friend about how inappropriate that kind of language is. I thought as catholics we were supposed to correct each other if necessary and surely this case definitely called for that. I wrote to the pastor and explained the situation. Fr. has not written back yet. I am very troubled and I wonder if this is a "hidden" agenda of some pro-lifers to conserve the white race, instead of preserving the life of all babies. I know I shouldn't make crazy presumptions but since that statement was so bold and descriptive I can't help mulling it over and dissecting it. My grown adopted daughter told me that she left protestant churches and became catholic to escape those attitudes (she was with me in the group and sitting next to the woman who made the comment). So now what? I am so discouraged and want to move away from this city but what would be the point if this attitude is every where. Just to clarify I am married to a white european man so my kids are white and hispanic.
Thank you for your prayers and I’ll keep you in mine. Mary
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That’s horrible. If you don’t mind me asking, where do you live (area, not town or Parish). That’s totally wrong on so many levels.

But as someone else said before, there are idiots everywhere. The irony is that she’s sinning as she’s talking about sin and sinner.
 
Thank you Lisa
I am doing nothing but praying today. Unfortunately things have begun to get hostile and now that Fr. is investigating everyone is denying that anything happened. Thankfully my daughter and sister were with me and can confirm the comments. It is so hurtful that Fr. may think I was not speaking the truth. I trust that holy spirit will bring the truth to light. I believe the church is home to all of us and no one life is of less value than another. The fear that a racial balance will be toppled is disordered and indicative of the working of the enemy. Sadly, this theory is out there in secular sectors so this agenda is alive in some hearts. We need all peoples to come to our church not just one preferred ethnicity. Keep praying for me and I will pray for you. God bless you, Mary
 
Does she not believe in the same God?!? You know, the Creator of Heaven and earth and all that is seen and unseen?!?

I am so sorry for your experience. I will pray for both of you. Please know that if I had been in that room, I would have spoken up. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one on this forum who would have done so. :grouphug:
 
Mary, I am so sorry that happened to you. I will pray for you and for those misguided women too.

One of the things I love about being Catholic is being a part of a global, inclusive family. I’m sorry it doesn’t feel like that for everyone.
 
elsker said:
Thank you Lisa
I am doing nothing but praying today. Unfortunately things have begun to get hostile and now that Fr. is investigating everyone is denying that anything happened. Thankfully my daughter and sister were with me and can confirm the comments. It is so hurtful that Fr. may think I was not speaking the truth. I trust that holy spirit will bring the truth to light. I believe the church is home to all of us and no one life is of less value than another. The fear that a racial balance will be toppled is disordered and indicative of the working of the enemy. Sadly, this theory is out there in secular sectors so this agenda is alive in some hearts. We need all peoples to come to our church not just one preferred ethnicity. Keep praying for me and I will pray for you. God bless you, Mary
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Absolutely will continue to pray for you and for the misguided and destructive opinions be turned around. I cannot imagine anyone having such an opinion in this day and age. Our pro life rally featured the Doctor who is head of our Right to Life state group. She is black as was one of the Pastors who spoke at the rally. I’ve just never heard of this happening and I am sad and sick that anyone would hold such opinions.

Oddly though I was in the Narthex one day waiting for someone and a couple came in asking about our parish, whether we were open to all colors and ethnic groups. I was stunned by the question and said look around (you could see into the Sanctuary. We have probably 40% non-whites in our parish. No one thinks about this stuff…anyway they said their parish was not quite so open and they were looking for a different experience. So I guess your situation isn’t limited to just one place…ugh this makes me crazy!

Take care and God bless. We know Christ loves ALL the little children, even the littlest ones!
Lis
 
LisaA said:
Absolutely will continue to pray for you and for the misguided and destructive opinions be turned around. I cannot imagine anyone having such an opinion in this day and age. Our pro life rally featured the Doctor who is head of our Right to Life state group. She is black as was one of the Pastors who spoke at the rally. I’ve just never heard of this happening and I am sad and sick that anyone would hold such opinions.

Oddly though I was in the Narthex one day waiting for someone and a couple came in asking about our parish, whether we were open to all colors and ethnic groups. I was stunned by the question and said look around (you could see into the Sanctuary. We have probably 40% non-whites in our parish. No one thinks about this stuff…anyway they said their parish was not quite so open and they were looking for a different experience. So I guess your situation isn’t limited to just one place…ugh this makes me crazy!

Take care and God bless. We know Christ loves ALL the little children, even the littlest ones!
Lis/QUO

I makes me crazy too! :banghead:

God loves all children, no matter how big or small (or how silly or childish) they are. 😃 😛
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brought up the sin of contraception and how whites need to stop aborting and contracepting or else the church will be flooded with Hispanic babies since “they” are the only ones not contracepting.
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Saying that “whites need to stop aborting” and “the church will be flooded with Hispanics” sounds very racist and would be very offensive. The rest of this quote though should be taken as a compliment to Hispanics and would be derogatory to whites, IMO. Even if that is not the way it was meant. No matter what race we are none of us should be aborting or contracepting. Not so we will have more/less of one race or another, but because all life is precious and a gift from God.
 
Thank you for your words of love and encouragement. I live in Sacramento, Ca.
I know that this is rare but I do worry that it will be a sentiment that grows legs as populations change and more minorities move into areas of the country where one ethnicity was predominant.

Sigh my sister tried explaining what was wrong with this statement but the group hostess argued that this sentiment isn’t racist so I guess this is a case of invincible ignorance and only holy spirit can deal with this. Its sad, she also thinks women should die during abortions and be damned. I tried to explain that if the mothers die they may lose the chance to repent. I cited the case of the mother who bled out at planned parenthood and how I worried that since she was unconscious that she may have not been able to repent. She smirked and said “good” at that point I should have known that there was going to be issues. I know that I got the gift of time to repent which I did-praise god! Well I guess the blessing in all this is I get to share my reversion story with all of you and maybe make someone aware of these hateful sentiments. I will strive to be more charitable but I’ll always defend my brothers and sisters in christ. Thank you and bless you for your prayers.
 
It is sad that this happened during the making of rosaries. People will be using them to pray and will treasure them and it is such a same that controversy and strive were created at the same time as they were.

I live in So Cal and haven’t heard such talk within parishes, but have never been involved in parish groups other than a choir.

I would be inclined to quit the group if that occured because I would be so uncomfortable with the talking, at a time that I would rather discuss the work we were doing. I think making rosaries must be an honor and joy.
 
hello carol

Yes, making rosaries is a beautiful work. My family makes all types and have sent thousands to different places. I thought that too about tainting the work. Advice to follow is NEVER mix wine with making sacramentals. I protested about the wine and got some blowback about that too. When my family gets together to make the rosary we talk about scripture or we pray for people or we remember things that made us happy. We never debate or speak ill of anyone. Now at other times we can have spirited debates about life and such and we drink socially but NEVER when handling sacramentals!!! Thank you for your prayers.
 
Thank you monica
Code: 
 I totally agree with you. I pray all the time for everyone no matter what they do. It seems like a mystery how some people love their parish while some never fit in. Either way I'm never giving up the sacraments.
God bless, mary
 
I want you to know that at our pregnancy-help clinic, we assist whoever comes in those doors. I’m upset at the sentiments you are describing, because they work hand-in-hand with the culture of death. Again, I’m so sorry! Stand strong!
 
elsker said:
Thank you for your words of love and encouragement. I live in Sacramento, Ca.
I know that this is rare but I do worry that it will be a sentiment that grows legs as populations change and more minorities move into areas of the country where one ethnicity was predominant.

Sigh my sister tried explaining what was wrong with this statement but the group hostess argued that this sentiment isn’t racist so I guess this is a case of invincible ignorance and only holy spirit can deal with this. Its sad, she also thinks women should die during abortions and be damned. I tried to explain that if the mothers die they may lose the chance to repent. I cited the case of the mother who bled out at planned parenthood and how I worried that since she was unconscious that she may have not been able to repent. She smirked and said “good” at that point I should have known that there was going to be issues. I know that I got the gift of time to repent which I did-praise god! Well I guess the blessing in all this is I get to share my reversion story with all of you and maybe make someone aware of these hateful sentiments. I will strive to be more charitable but I’ll always defend my brothers and sisters in christ. Thank you and bless you for your prayers.
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I can’t tell you how surprised I am that this happened in Sacramento. I lived in CA most of my life and only recently moved to AZ. One of my brothers just moved from Sacramento and I have other family and friends who live near Sacramento. I have NEVER heard this kind of prejudice in Catholic parishes. Surely those folks in your parish are anomalies. Were there no other Hispanics in the group? If not I’m surprised Hispanics make up a very large portion of CA.

Annie
 
Right. These sentiments are un-Catholic, the kind I would expect to see in some Protestant churches, not the Catholic one, especially in this day and age. Do those people have no shame? Perhaps those children they fear because of their race might be saintly priests and religious - would they refuse Confession or the last rites because someone had browner skin than they did, or had Saenz for a surname instead of Sullivan?

Unfortunately, I have seen racism in Catholic parishes, though, from the laity. Many seem to of course, pick and choose which articles of the Catechism to believe, unfortunately. I think the problem is that the Church for them has become a suburban obligation rather than a religion in the real sense of the world. Usually the people in my experience who are like this are sheltered and have had little life experience outside the suburban middle class.
 
Elsker,

I rejoice that you have found peace and healing and your place within the Body of Christ. I am also deeply saddened by the racism you encountered.

I am finding within parenting groups I belong to (not just Catholic groups but in general), a mother might make a casual racist or prejudiced remark expecting others to agree with her. No matter how gently it is addressed, the commentor clings to some erroneous sense that they were right, or ok, or what they said wasn’t that big of a deal or something is wrong with the person addressing the racism. I’m sorry this happens within my groups and among your Catholic sisters.

You have been shown the flaws of these ladies and have faced anew the reality that our Church is a hospital for sinners. In no way am I excusing their words and behavior, but am encouraging ourselves to feel sympathy and find a way to pray for their continual conversion to Christ.

Even though I am on the other side of the country, please know that I am white, Catholic, prolife and currently pregnant. I am not aware of nor would I participate in any agenda that considered one group of people more important to save from abortion than another. I am also deeply grateful that faithful Catholics are growing their families, period.

I hope the pastor takes your concerns seriously and addresses the situation appropriately.
 
I live in Texas, and this sentiment is all too common here as well, though not as much with those Catholics who are Pro-Life and well versed in the Church’s teachings and the pro-life movement. I am very white (blonde hair, green eyes, etc.) and so perhaps others feel more comfortable saying things like that to me. However, my husband is Mexican and so both of my children (and the third on the way!) are half white and half Mexican but 100% HUMAN, 100% CREATIONS OF GOD, and 100% LOVED.

When I hear comments like this, they are typically very politically motivated and center around the illegal immigration debate. I had one older (white) lady tell me point blank that the “Catholic Church should be Republican.” This was at a retreat no less. She started talking about illegal immigration and how it drains the American economy, hispanics are taking over, etc etc. Much to her surprise, I happen to have a degree in History and am working toward multiple certificates in theology and I was quite capable of defending her errant thinking. She apologized, but I am not sure that she likes me. When I see her I am now very uncomfortable.

That being said, remember that racist thoughts, attitudes and comments are more offensive to God than they are to people. We are, after-all His creation. They are in sin, and perhaps not even aware of the gravity of it. Pray for them. Pray for yourself that would would have the courage to defend those who cannot defend themselves and that you can see them as God does with love and mercy despite their failings.
 
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