Hoban statement to racism and our Catholic responsibility to take action

We, the administrative leadership team of Archbishop Hoban High School, join our community in mourning and condemning the reckless death of George Floyd. We pray for the repose of Mr. Floyd’s soul and all victims of racism and violence. May God give his family strength and consolation in this time of devastating loss and sorrow. His death, along with the unlawful killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and the countless lives of black Americans who died needlessly before them, underscore a pervasive and systemic lack of civility and humanity that should trouble us all, regardless of our race or ethnicity.

Our prayers are with each of you reading this because, as a member of the Hoban family, you are exceedingly valued. We recognize that the events of the last week impact our students and families of color most acutely and denounce the inequities that continue to beset African American communities. We are proud of the young women and men of color who attend our school and who are alumni. You make Hoban strong.

As a Catholic school, we believe in the Gospel of Life, that every human being is created in the divine image and is a child of God, with inalienable freedom and dignity. As a family, it is essential that all of us review our lives to ensure that we act in accord with the Gospel mandate to love God and neighbor and live out our Holy Cross core values of inclusiveness, integrity and hope.

We particularly ask how we at Hoban, members of an academic and faith community, can and should respond to the inhumane, racist behavior so evident last week in Minneapolis. The task of addressing racism and long-standing injustices cannot fall specifically on people of color. A recent statement from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops claims that “too many communities around this country feel their voices are not being heard, their complaints about racist treatment are unheeded, and we are not doing enough to point out that this deadly treatment is antithetical to the Gospel of Life.” Our responsibility as a Catholic school, therefore, is to ensure that on these issues our students’ voices are heard and their concerns heeded.

In the coming days, we will be making plans for creating student forums for open dialogue so that we may find ways to better support all students and so that our school community can grow deeper in love, equality, peace. When the time comes, we seek to bring in a diversity professional to encourage substantive conversation. In the meantime, for those among us who are finding themselves severely impacted by these events, support and counseling services are available through Student Services.

We join our brother schools in affirming what the Holy Cross Constitutions teach us about Christian social justice: In the fullness of time the Lord Jesus came among us anointed by the Spirit to inaugurate a kingdom of justice, love and peace. His rule would be no mere earthly regime: it would initiate a new creation in every land. His power would be within and without, rescuing us from the injustice we suffer and also from the injustice we inflict. As disciples of Jesus we stand side by side with all people. Like them we are made new by the same Lord’s love; like them we hope for a world where justice and love prevail. 

Yours in Christ and Holy Cross,

Tom Curry, President
Emily Ramos, Principal
Jon Belvin, IT Manager
Mike Considine, Director of Facilities
Churyl Croone, Director of Admissions
Mitch Cupach, Vice President for Finance and Operations
Mike Del Medico ’73, Vice President of Advancement and Planning
Sara Handy, Assistant Director of Admissions
Brother James Spooner, CSC, Associate Principal
Tim Tyrrell, Athletic Director
Melanie White, Director of Communications