Statement of Bishop Checchio for Juneteenth

More than a now nationally recognized holiday, Juneteenth is a heartening celebration of emancipation, a sobering remembrance of the horrors of slavery, and a call for each of us to embrace our shared humanity and recognize the fundamental truth that we are all equally made in the image and likeness of God.
 
As we continue to work with renewed fervor for racial harmony, peace, justice and healing, this holiday is another invitation to look within ourselves, to transform our hearts inwardly so we can in turn transform our world outwardly, and to ask God to help us see one another as He sees us – children of the One Father.

Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen