Grace of the Ghosts

In Grace of the Ghosts, Jeannine Hill Fletcher contends with the religious history of white supremacy and its consequences. Drawing on the work of Indigenous scholar Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, the book calls us to reckon with all of our ancestors, the communion of saints and sinners alike. In so doing, Hill Fletcher provides a roadmap for the holy work of truth-telling, reparations, and healing that is necessary to build a truly anti-racist, multicultural Church--work she invites us to undertake ""enveloped by the grace of the ghosts.""---Matthew J. Cressler, creator of the webcomic series Bad Catholics, Good Trouble (c) The significance of history for Catholic theology in the United States cannot be overestimated. Too often and too eagerly we accept an uncritical and romantic historical narrative that treats Catholics as 'recent' or nineteenth century European immigrants and, as such, had little to do with the cruel dispossession and disruption of the lives of Indigenous peoples or the brutal enslavement and continuing oppression of African-descended peoples. Jeannine Hill Fletcher interrogates our history, unmasks our putative innocence, and encourages us all to reach out to accept the grace-filled solidarity of the dead who continue to care for us and for this land.---M. Shawn Copeland, professor emerita, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA Dr. Hill Fletcher's stellar book projects existing historical knowledge through a theological lens, thus, giving the reader a new perspective, creating a new theology, and opening a critical discussion of systemic racism and white supremacy to new constituencies. Dr. Hill Fletcher deftly offers a nuanced treatment of history to create new theology. This is a must-read for those interested in the ongoing consequences of Catholic slaveholding and doing the necessary reparative work in Catholic higher ed and throughout Catholic institutions.---Tia Noelle Pratt, Assistant Vice President and Director of Mission Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, Villanova University I'm grateful that Jeannine Hill Fletcher has undertaken this work. In weaving together history, theology, politics, and spirituality, she challenges our understanding of white supremacy and its pervasive legacies within the Catholic church. As a Catholic school leader, Hill Fletcher challenges me to examine how the acquisition of land and property which make up our schools was acquired and how the capital acquired to sustain our schools has also been gained. As our Catholic schools become increasingly more tuition-driven, her analysis is a timely reminder to interrogate our admission priorities and whether or not our schools are aspiring to be reflective of the Church we are.---Timothy Uhl, Principal of Notre Dame High School in Salinas, California, and editor of A Brighter Future for Catholic Schools: Innovation & Opportunity Dr. Hill Fletcher offers Catholics a way through a deeply traumatic history, illuminating how the Roman Church can account for its failings of the past is still with us today and of urgent concern for us all.---Philip P. Arnold, Syracuse University, author of The Urgency of Indigenous Values