Bishop Fabre finds hope of harmony in darkness of unrest

Emotions gripped Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as the New Roads native watched the racial atrocities of the past year unfold.

Reaction spanned the gamut, he said, beginning with shock that familiar but unconscionable images of another Black man being “killed in questionable circumstances” by police were playing like a recurring bad dream. 

He also experienced anger and frustration as well as being discouraged as violent protests appeared to splinter an already divided nation.

But even in those darkest hours, as skeletons of burned out buildings were de facto affidavits to the violence, Bishop Fabre found hope, hope that racial unity is not just a dream but can be reality, that calls for equality reaching across racial, cultural and even geographical divides are finally being heard. 

“I see hope in the fact that people are now talking about race 

and looking at race from a different perspective, and people are seeking to finally address what has been called America’s original sin,” Bishop Fabre said. “I see hope because I truly believe in the power of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who I know are at work with us in this regard.”

But where to start, how to silence the evil voices of racism?

Bishop Fabre, chairman of the United States Conference of Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Racism, said an excellent starting point is the USCCB’s  “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love: Pastoral Letter on Racism,” which was released in the fall of 2018. 

The letter invites people to recognize how racism profoundly impacts the lives of so many. It also reflects on the dignity of every person and establishes the church’s moral imperative to combat racism as a life issue.
Bishop Fabre said the letter drew from listening sessions held in dioceses nationwide, including the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
“People would share experiences of racism as racism manifested itself in that particular diocese,” said Bishop Fabre, who as committee chairman attended many of the sessions. “The session was meant to be a catalyst for acting against racism or be a support for what was already happening.“

He said the ad hoc committee is tasked with examining policy issues from the perspective of racism. Also under its purview is assuring age appropriate curricula are developed for all, parish schools, parish schools of religion, universities, seminaries and houses of formation to adequately prepare students and teach them about racism.

“I think what we have embarked on together in recent months hopefully can be a watershed moment for this country and church with regards to race relations.” 
-Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

He acknowledged progress has been made but the coronavirus pandemic has presented unique challenges. 

“I told the bishops (at a USCCB meeting) the work is hard, it is slow but the work is being done,” he said. “I do see on the part of many people, but I need it to be more people, a willingness to hold discussions about race with people, which is one of the things Open Wide Our Heart encourages people to do.”

Following the death of George Floyd, Bishop Fabre used the pulpit to encourage parishioners to approach people racially different from them, particularly a person of color, and ask them “what the killing of (Floyd) made them feel. What did you think about it?”

“The feedback I got back from people who were willing to hold those courageous conversations was very, very good,” the bishop said.

He recalled one conversation regarding a discussion involving a white person who works at a local business and a delivery person, who was Black. Bishop Fabre said the employee posed the question to the delivery person and a “wonderful conversation” followed. In fact, Bishop Fabre was told the delivery person even thanked the employee for asking the question and that both parties learned something as well as gained a different perspective.

“What I’m hearing is there are a lot of people who are having those courageous conversations with people who are racially different from them, and they are wanting to learn and wanting to encounter,” Bishop Fabre said. “And I do believe there is a lot of good going on out there because I’ve seen it, but at the same time I don’t deny there is a lot of work to be done.”

The bishop concedes systemic racism remains a stain on the fabric of society. 

The example he uses most often to exemplify system racism is society’s attitude toward African American males. He said systemic racism is manifested when African American males are looked on as suspect.

Furthermore, he said, if an African American male is not looked up on suspect, that person is perceived as an exception.

“The norm (among the predominant society) cannot be that African American males are good, whole people who like me are just trying to do the best they can and to provide for their loved ones,” Bishop Fabre said. 

Contributing to the difficulty is that one culture is seen as the norm and “there can’t be anything else.”

“I’m not saying open the gates and everything goes but I’m saying there are cultural things we can appreciate, particularly that might be unique to a culture, and when we are part of the dominant culture, maybe we need to give credence to that and understand that,” he said. “What is in your heart? What is my reaction when I see things that are culturally different or things that I consider deviate from the norm within reason?”

He said encountering others by examining one’s own heart, by learning about different cultures and different people and being open to those encounters and finding deeper appreciation for the gifts of those racially different will bring  about change.

“I think what we have embarked on together in recent months hopefully can be a watershed moment for this country and church with regards to race relations,” he said. “It remains to be seen if it will be but I’m hoping it will be and in the future we will be able to point back to this moment that this was a transferring moment when we embarked upon on this journey together. 

Respecting the life and dignity of every life is the foundation upon which change can be built, the bishop said, saying only then can society “deal with race and other challenges.

 “That is my hope.”