National

CHILDREN’S BOOK INSPIRED BY PASTORAL TEACHES LESSONS IN OVERCOMING RACISM

By Catholic News Service     2/7/2020

WASHINGTON (CNS)“Everyone Belongs,” a new children’s book published by the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism and Loyola Press, “is a book about recognizing the image of God in all people, valuing our differences, righting wrongs and forgiveness,” said the ad hoc committee’s chairman. 

“It is my hope that ‘Everyone Belongs’ will help families, schools and parishes engage in conversation and reflection about the dignity of every person made in God’s image,” Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, said in a statement. 

The book is for children ages 5 to 12 and is aimed at helping young readers engage in conversations about racism. 

Inspired by the bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism,” it allows young readers to reflect on the impact of racism in our society. Bishop Fabre oversaw the production of the book. 

Released Jan. 21, the book can be purchased online at LoyolaPress.com/EveryoneBelongs.