A legacy of faith and firsts: Catholic Daughters of the Americas make history in East Baltimore June 30, 2025By Samantha Smith Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2257 at St. Francis Xavier in East Baltimore is not only a pillar of spiritual service but also a historic force in Black Catholic life. Earlier this year, that legacy continued as the court celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Unsung Black Catholic Woman Award.
Juneteenth seen as day to reflect on freedom, ending racism and Black Catholics’ contributions June 20, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Racial Justice This year marks the 160th anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the last Confederate state that continued to uphold the practice of slavery two years after it was abolished in the country — an event marked by Juneteenth, a federal holiday since 2021.
Pope Leo’s Creole roots raise hopes for Black American sainthood causes May 23, 2025By Patricia Zapor Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Vatican The election of a Chicago-born pope with Louisiana Creole ancestry is drawing attention from Black Catholics, especially after genealogist Jari Honora traced Pope Leo XIV’s maternal grandparents to New Orleans’ Black Catholic community.
New pope’s Black, Creole roots illuminate rich multiracial history of U.S. May 14, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, News, Vatican, World News A New Orleans genealogist has found that the first U.S.-born pope has Black and Creole roots — and the discovery illuminates the nation’s rich multiracial history, the experience of Black Catholics and the importance of the church’s sacramental records.
Attendees of Sister Thea Bowman Conference encouraged to bring ‘whole self’ to church April 5, 2025By Nicole Olea OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, News, Saints, World News Thirty-five years after her death, the witness of Sister Thea Bowman — a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, scholar, cultural advocate and joyful daughter of the church — continues to inspire a growing movement calling for her canonization.
He’s made history as first African American to be cardinal, archbishop of Washington February 20, 2025By Mark Zimmermann OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, News, World News When Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory became the first African American cardinal in the history of the Catholic Church Nov. 28, 2020, some of his thoughts were far from Rome while he received his red hat during the consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Black Catholics are determined to stay, rebuild in community ravaged by wildfires February 9, 2025By Natalie Romano OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Disaster Relief, News, World News Even though the flames that killed at least 17 people in Altadena are no longer a threat, the loss of community lingers — particularly for the city’s African American residents, some of whom are Catholic.
Rev. King’s legacy involves ‘uniting our nation as one community of hope,’ cardinal says January 21, 2025By Nicole Olea OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, News, Racial Justice, World News Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Washington gathered at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillcrest Heights to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Catholic Charities among 2024 top workplace award winners January 6, 2025By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, News, Schools Catholic Charities of Baltimore was among several Archdiocese of Baltimore entities named a winner of a 2024 Top Workplace Award by The Baltimore Sun media group – “a prize created to highlight the importance and appeal of a people-first culture on the job.”
How Father Tolton handled travails, transitions is model for living out the faith, says bishop December 29, 2024By Jay Nies OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, News, Racial Justice, Saints, World News A Missouri native, Father Augustus Tolton is recognized as the first African American to be ordained a priest. A candidate for sainthood, he has the title of “Venerable.”
Bishops mark Maryland Emancipation Day, affirm dignity of all October 31, 2024By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, News, Racial Justice The Catholic bishops of Maryland commemorated the 160th anniversary of Maryland Emancipation Day, affirming the dignity of every human person and noting that slavery was dehumanizing, reducing human beings to mere property.
Baltimore director of Black Catholic Ministries leads discussion on 40 years of Black Catholic evangelization August 29, 2024By Samantha Smith Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, Evangelization, Feature, Local News, News Thirty-five Catholics from multiple dioceses gathered virtually Aug. 27 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a letter outlining pastoral guidance on Black Catholic evangelization.
