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There is a surprising convergence, which seems to be the work of the Spirit, among Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, and African American churches on mass incarceration. Our effort as Roman Catholics was to build on previous efforts of Christian Churches Together and other church partners to remind people of the importance of treating all, especially the poor, with respect.  The issue of racism came to the fore, as expected, in our discussion. Disproportionate numbers of African Americans are imprisoned; increasing numbers of undocumented immigrants are being detained in prisons.  Racism is a centuries old problem in the United States. We cannot deny its current manifestation in the imbalances in the prison system—filled with nonviolent poor minority citizens serving long mandatory sentences without parole.  We made a good educational effort on Capitol Hill later that afternoon. We held a briefing for staff and media in the Rayburn House Office building. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Raul Labrador (R-ID), sponsors of the Smarter Sentencing Act, attended, spoke about their bill, and answered questions from our church leaders and others.  The participants noted that political candidates sometimes stoke fears of crime by those “not like us.” As Christians we know that “love casts out all fear.” We need to “walk with others” with attentiveness and mercy as Pope Francis always urges. Education and friendship can heal wounds and help diminish fears.

Father Crossin is executive director of the Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.