Martin Luther King Jr. was a prophetic voice whose words still hold true today, said Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a statement released ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
King, said Archbishop Coakley, truly was a "drum major for justice," in a way that Christians should seek to imitate.
“What does it mean to be ‘a drum major’ in our own communities? Dr. King’s sermon encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison," he said.
While the Catholic Church, and its numerous social service and charitable ministries seeks to embody the Gospel mandate at the community level, actually helping the faithful to "authentically live out this call" is just as important, said Coakley.
The USCCB, for its part, has issued both a special message on immigration and a pastoral letter against racism, he said, in an effort "to be drum majors of love in our communities."
“In our pastoral letter against racism, we bishops affirm Dr. King’s leadership in bringing together people of faith in the work of racial justice, noting ‘that spirit is integral to the fight today,'" he said,
"As we remember Dr. King and commemorate his legacy, let us continue this work as drum majors and engage in actions of compassion and mercy," he said.
To do this, Coakley encouraged people "to take time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit may be inviting you to join with others in addressing challenges within our families, neighborhoods, or communities."
"May we lead the way in building a society rooted in justice, peace, righteousness, and the dignity of every human person.”
