I feel excited and hopeful after leading an allies-to-Catholics gather-in for East Los Angeles, California, USA, on Zoom. Five of us attended, including one person with some Catholic heritage. 


To prepare, I read some excellent articles on Catholic liberation by Joanne Bray, the International Liberation Reference Person for Catholics. (And I noticed how many excellent articles are at my fingertips on the RC website!)


Two thirds of the world’s Catholics are from colonized countries. As allies, we need to discharge on colonization, racism, and genocide. Being allies to Catholics is also interwoven with being allies to Indigenous people, many of whom have Catholic heritage. 


First, I gave the Co-Counselor with Catholic heritage some one-way time. Next, I read Joanne Bray’s history of Catholicism. Then everyone did a mini-session on their earliest memories of religion. I learned something new about each person’s religious background. I think working on religion needs more attention in RC. 


I noticed how deeply I love my Catholic family members and friends. I also noticed how I sometimes act in oppressive ways toward them—for example, I have taken advantage of their generosity of spirit. 


I look forward to discharging more on my early experiences of religion (I was raised Protestant) and on colonization and genocide. I look forward to seeing what moves in my mind and relationships.