by Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON — Helping people understand how the sin of racism undermines society’s ability to overcome violence and economic injustice is the top priority for Sr. Patricia Chappell as the new executive director of Pax Christi USA.
“People really have to acknowledge that racism is a deep integral sin in our country and we have to admit it continues to be an institutional sin,” Sr. Patricia told Catholic News Service on Oct. 24, shortly after the organization announced she would succeed David Robinson as head of the nationwide Catholic peace organization.
“We have to acknowledge that, but then we have to be able to find ways to move forward, not just get stuck on the emotional piece of it all,” said Sr. Patricia, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Connecticut province.
Her appointment closes Pax Christi’s year of transition, which also saw the organization move its national headquarters from Erie, Pa., to Washington in order to work more closely with many Catholic and other faith-based organizations on a variety of justice issues.
Welcome, Sister Patricia Chappell. We in PaxChristi need you to help us overcome this deadly sin of racism that has burdeneed so many for so long – without ourselves (the perpetrators) being hardly aware. Our sin has led us to disrespect in other areas, too, because once we let our shadow out to roam, it permeates everything.