Black Catholics
The Latest
Chicago’s Bishop Joseph N. Perry to lead U.S. bishops’ anti-racism committee
The Chicago-born bishop brings extensive experience to the role, including his chairmanship of the USCCB Committee on African-American Catholics. Read more
Servant of God Mother Mary Lange and the rich history of Black Catholic religious orders
Two centuries ago, Mary Elizabeth Lange emigrated to the United States from Cuba and joined a friend to offer free... Read more
Catholics reflect on racial reconciliation in U.S. Church: ‘We must be rooted in prayer’
Two prominent Catholic speakers say they have seen an openness among Catholics to acknowledge racism as a sin and as... Read more
Black Catholic worship is unique — but majority-Black parishes are rare, survey says
A new survey of Black Catholics in the United States sheds light on what makes Black expressions of Catholicism unique,... Read more
Black Catholic journalist Daniel Rudd was born a slave. He left a legacy.
In the wake of the American Civil War, the former slave Daniel Rudd launched a newspaper that sought to inform... Read more
Notre Dame to host 31st Annual Black Catholic Theological Symposium
On Oct. 7, the University of Notre Dame will begin to host the 31st annual Black Catholic Theological Symposium (BCTS)... Read more
Catholic schools have ‘mighty role’ for Black Catholic leaders, Louisville archbishop says
The Louisville archdiocese has made steady progress in enrolling more African-Americans in Catholic schools, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of... Read more
Venerable Augustus Tolton a model of handling racial injustice, Philly archbishop says
Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first widely recognized African-American priest, is a model for how to overcome racism and persecution, the... Read more
Reflections on the role of the Cathedral during the Tulsa Race Massacre and today
At the end of May, our local community will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Sparked by... Read more
Priests share hope for new Pittsburgh parish in Black Catholic tradition
Last summer, Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh made an important announcement. St. Benedict the Moor, a historic parish in the... Read more
The hidden history of Black Catholic nuns in the U.S.
Black Catholic nuns have made manifold contributions to the Church in the United States, and theirs is a story that... Read more
Black Catholic leader says Black Lives Matter organization 'ill-equipped to lead'
A Black Catholic leader said Friday that the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is the wrong organization to lead... Read more
San Francisco to name street after first Black firefighter, a Catholic convert
San Francisco’s first Black firefighter, a Catholic convert whose faith helped him endure years of racial abuse within the department,... Read more
Catholics hold pilgrimage to grave of Venerable Augustus Tolton, first African American priest
The fourth annual Quincy pilgrimage honoring Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first African-American priest, took place Thursday with the intention of... Read more
‘It meant a great deal to her’: the Catholic faith of the woman voted ‘greatest Black Briton’
She was voted the “greatest Black Briton.” A statue of her stands opposite the Houses of Parliament. Her heroic life... Read more
Rebuilt from the ashes: The story of an American basilica
An immigrant parish, burnt down, with only the crucifix remaining. A parish rebuilt, transformed and a key part in giving... Read more
Why Abraham Lincoln held a White House fundraiser for this black Catholic parish
When black Catholics in DC wanted a church, Abraham Lincoln helped raise the money. Read more
Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood
Fr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the... Read more
Sr Thea Bowman's cause for canonization could open at US bishops' meeting
Sr. Thea Bowman was the first African American woman to address the U.S. bishops' conference. Most likely, she was also... Read more
The historically black Catholic university founded by a saint
Of the 106 historically black colleges in the United States, only one is Roman Catholic - Xavier University of Louisiana. Read more
