Black Catholics

Blacks in Catholic History Month Moments

Blacks in Catholic Christianity have a long and vibrant history.
Much of that history is generally unknown to Black Catholics as well as to the rest of the faithful. On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate this long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. During this month we celebrate the presence of our ancestors who kept the faith and are models of living the Gospel life.

About the book:
This booklet presents a glimpse of some of the Black Catholic Christians of our past and present. It celebrates the accomplishments of Black Catholics throughout the history of the Church with daily Blacks in Catholic History ‘Moments.’

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The Office of Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Washington was established in September 1974. Since 1981, the executive director of the office serves as a member of the Archbishop's staff, and has a responsibility to listen to the needs and concerns articulated by black Catholics and respond in appropriate ways, or assist the Archdiocese in its response. The Director provides and develops resources for education; participates in Archdiocesan planning and decision-making; and implements programs and assists with the implementation of programs to ensure an appropriate response to the needs and concerns of black Catholics. The Office is expanding its outreach to include African people and people of African descent in the Archdiocese of Washington. The director maintains contact with local and national groups with similar purposes and goals. The director is active with The National Black Catholic Congress, The Congress Inter-Regional African American Catholic Evangelization Conference, and The National Association of Black Catholic Administrators.

Two major resources for the black Catholic agenda are: "What We Have Seen and Heard," the Black Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Evangelization (1984), and the "National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan" established by the National Black Catholic Congress VI in 1987, updated by Congress IX in 2002. These documents have shaped the focus and direction for African-American Catholic evangelization.

The Office of Black Catholics develops and builds on collaboration with other offices and departments of the Archdiocese, and continues a supportive relationship for our parishes. Currently, the Office has responsibility for the following:

• Archdiocese of Washington Massed Choir with members representing 15 parishes. Goal: evangelization through liturgical and sacred music and service to parishes and the larger community
• The Council of Black Catholics, a representative group of black Catholics that advises the Archbishop on Archdiocesan matters and matters pertinent to the black community
• The Archdiocesan Black Catholic Congress Team, members who work in parish and Archdiocesan programs to evangelize and encourage full participation by black Catholics in parish life
• Black Catholic History Archives, that provides educational workshops, seminars, research and resource materials on or about black Catholics.
• Racial, ethnic, cultural sensitivity and awareness seminars, materials and workshops
• Lists of black Catholic resource persons willing to serve the parish and the Archdiocese
• Training and encouragement for potential and current African American Catholic parish leaders; and other parish leaders preparing for work in our parishes
• Archdiocesan Chapter, National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life
• Archdiocesan Chapter, Sisters in the Spirit