Celebrating the opening Mass for the National Black Catholic Congress meeting in the Washington, D.C., area on July 21, Cardinal Wilton Gregory emphasized the important role of visionaries in building a better world.

Addressing an estimated 3,000 African American Catholics from 80 dioceses across the United States gathered for Congress XIII of the National Black Catholic Congress in the Washington, D.C., area from July 20-23, Cardinal Wilton Gregory welcomed them to “a family reunion,” and encouraged them to center their lives on the Eucharist in order to bring Christ’s love and hope to the world.

The in-person support group that combines a biblically based curriculum with fellowship and discussion helped the 24-year old “get through times that were not so great, and helped me stay strong in my faith.”

The coalition, known as CHIRLA — along with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Central American Resource Center, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, city and county officials — had been meeting since 2022 to prepare for these exact scenarios.

Pope Francis’ special envoy went to Washington to explore what the Vatican’s role could be in bringing about an end of hostilities in Ukraine, said the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference.

An English Catholic bishop has praised a court for releasing a woman jailed for aborting her baby eight months into pregnancy.

Pro-life groups pushed back on the White House’s support of a Department of Defense policy of providing paid leave and travel reimbursement for service members seeking abortions.

At a July 20 town hall gathering with Catholic youth at the National Black Catholic Congress XII, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory joined Bishop J. Terry Steib, the bishop emeritus of Memphis, Tennessee in encouraging young people to keep the faith and follow their dreams.

Catholic migrant advocates condemned a report alleging inhumane treatment of migrants seeking to cross the border into Texas, including an allegation that the state directed its personnel to withhold water from migrants despite extreme heat.

Three events in July are bringing Black and African Catholics from across the country together in faith, fellowship and a deeper understanding of missionary discipleship.