‘+ Actions in White’s early life demonstrate racism; ‘* Actions in White's later Ife demonstrate a transformation of his beliefs, as he voted in favor of Supreme Court cases that improved life for People of Color. AAs in al things, in these discussions we must be guided by our faith in Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, the 2018 pastoral letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against the evil and sin of racism, states, “Racism is a ‘moral problem that requires a moral remedy ~ a transformation of the human heart ~ that impels us to act. .. . What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society.” While actions in White's early life demonstrate racism, the actions of his later life demonstrate a conversion of heart, the very conversion of heart called for in Open Wide Our Hearts. Therefore, with inspiration from this teaching of the Church, the name of the schoo! will remain E.D. White Catholic High ‘School. | realize that there are those who will be in support of this decision, and those who will disagree with this decision. | reverentially and respectfully acknowledge both responses. Furthermore, as we move forward, I callonall to seize this opportunity to teach students in all our Catholic schools to understand and act against the evil and sin of racism. To advance this, | am also taking the following actions: * Establishing the St. Augustine Endowment Fund in the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana to provide tuition assistance for Children of Color to attend our Catholic Schools. It is my sincere hope that this fund will ropidly grow so that it willbe able to provide tuition assistance starting in the 2022 - 2023 school year; ‘* Instructing our Diocesan Catholic Schools Office to expand further the curriculum in our Catholic schools to include activities and lessons against the evil and sin of racism, firmly grounding this in respect for human life and the human dignity of each person and in the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church. This will be implemented into our Catholic schools in the 2022 - 2023 school year; * Seeking ways to increase both the number of Children of Color in our Catholic schools and the ‘number of People of Color among teachers and administrators ministering in our Catholic schools. ' invite you to join me in helping to implement these initiatives to strengthen Catholic identity in our schools and to further cultivate a greater appreciation for all of our gifts as children of God. ‘As we all seek to foster “a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society,” let us always remember that in the end the most important name Guiding each Catholic school in our diocese is the name of Jesus Christ, the name above every other name. With an assurance of my prayers for you, and kindly asking your prayers for me, I remain, Sincerely in the Lord, + (Dabo. 2th Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre