Journal
of Catholic Social Thought
Volume 3
Number 1
Winter - 2006
Educating Christians to Confront Racism
Hosffman Ospino
Boston College
Christian
theological education and formation for ministry are at the very heart
of the prophetic ministry of the Church. Christian theologians and
educators in theological schools invest significant efforts in
reflecting about the wealth of our faith tradition and the practical
implications of our teaching. This is more evident when those efforts
are committed to promoting social justice. However, a closer look at the
structures of theological education in Catholic settings in the United
States reveals that racism is still a prevalent form of injustice that
permeates many of our educational institutions and practices. If
Christian educators and theologians want to be faithful to the call for
justice, we must educate to confront and unlearn racism. This essay
discusses several instances in which racism determines choices and
methodologies in contexts of theological and ministerial formation.
Next, it proposes a conversation between multicultural education theory
and various principles of Catholic social teaching. Finally, it
describes some educational projects that can help theologians and
educators at institutions of higher education to confront and unlearn
racism.
