"We are reminded through the witness of Servant of God Thea Bowman that we are called to bring our whole selves—our culture, our story, our voice—into the life of the Church. To deny this is to deny the fullness of what it means to be Catholic."
Loving your neighbor as yourself is no easy task, and doing so in the U.S. Catholic context requires reckoning with a long history of racism and exclusion.
Given this, Dr. Antoinette Reaves explores how the Golden Rule can inspire Black Catholic belonging. www.blackcatholicmes...
The mental health crisis in the United States is inextricably linked to the nation's twin scourges of mass incarceration and police brutality, and it will take principled action to stem the tide.
Harlan McCarthy writes that the time is now—or else. www.blackcatholicmes...
Hally Bailey and Regé-Jean Page star in the new rom-com "You, Me, & Tuscany", an international exploration of what happens when a lie becomes an unexpected truth.
Samantha Smith reviews, calling it a charming celebration of travel, culture, and real love. www.blackcatholicmes...
Beset by sexual assault allegations In 2019, Fairfax remained in office and ran for governor in 2021 before returning to private life. His wife Cerina, a dentist, stood by him during the scandal but filed for divorce last summer.
"Black Catholics live predominantly in the South, with over half of the group residing in this region... Black Catholics lean heavily Democrat with about three in five affiliating with the party (59%). Republicans make up 13% of the population, Independents are 22%."
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax killed his wife Thursday morning before turning the gun on himself, police say, in an incident likely linked to a "messy" divorce.
The 47-year-old Black Catholic falsely accused his wife of assault in January. www.blackcatholicmes...
Black Catholics in the United States are not a monolith, but there are patterns that shed light on how the diaspora in the American Church lives their faith.
CARA sociologist Ali Mumbach dug into the data from 2024 and shares her findings. www.blackcatholicmes...
The president's viral social media post referred to the American-born pontiff as a cowering leader—a characterization Leo quickly rejected—before Trump doubled down and received the backing of his VP, the Catholic convert JD Vance.
Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville, one of the nation's Black Catholic prelates, is defending Pope Leo XIV amid attacks from President Donald Trump.
He joins numerous Church and civic officials around the world condemning the White House's messaging. www.blackcatholicmes...
Finding space in the Church as a Black Catholic is an enduring challenge, with racism and Eurocentrism going strong despite clear teachings that promote a wider welcome.
Efran Menny writes that his own journey is sustained by witnesses to Black pride. www.blackcatholicmes...
In the Baroque and Enlightenment eras, the castrati flourished in Western Europe, but faced criticism for their free expression and perceived sensuality.
Alexander Walton writes that a similar tale has played out with many African-American male singers. www.blackcatholicmes...
Pope Leo XIV's much-anticipated prayer vigil for peace reiterated his recent anti-war messaging, including what many believe is criticism of U.S. foreign policy.
At Saturday's service, the American pontiff called global conflict a "demonic cycle of evil". www.blackcatholicmes...
The persistent instability of our times is cause to consider a new kind of resistance, as noted by womanist author Tricia Hersey.
Daryl Grigsby writes that a recent webinar highlighting her work gave him fresh inspiration for Black Catholic witness. www.blackcatholicmes...
Fr David Andrew Fisher, a veteran Black academic serving in the Maronite Church, has died at 67 after more than four decades of priestly ministry.
The Columbus, Ohio, native attended seminary in Rome and transferred to Eastern Catholicism in the 1990s. www.blackcatholicmes...
Last year, a college cheerleader gave birth to a baby boy after hiding her pregnancy, and was charged with manslaughter after he was discovered dead in a trash can.
Robert Alan Glover writes that Catholics should not forget a precious life lost too soon. www.blackcatholicmes...
Fr William Cross, the first pastor and second Black priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, has died at 79.
The longtime educator at Purcell Marian High School was a Catholic convert, retired in 2012, and celebrated 50 years as a priest in 2024. www.blackcatholicmes...
A recent pilgrimage to DC prompted reflections on the Black freedom struggle, and how the continued fight in America aligns with the empowered Jesus who raises resistant Black fists on the Cross.
Tulio Huggins reflects on his capital experience. www.blackcatholicmes...
Holy Family Cristo Rey High School in Birmingham, Alabama, will hold its annual gala this month to raise money for the mission of faith-filled education.
The historic Black Catholic school serves roughly 200 students and operates on an innovative work-study model. www.blackcatholicmes...
The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will see young adult Catholics trek from Florida to Philly on a whirlwind Eucharistic journey bringing Jesus to the masses.
Two Black Catholic pilgrims spoke with BCM about the "once in a lifetime" experience. www.blackcatholicmes...
"I celebrate his birthday
But I resonate with the death day more
because 3 days later he evened the score.
Never have to be afraid no more
Death, sin, shit, it could get out of my life forever
Because im going to be with the king"
Poem: "Salvation -" www.blackcatholicmes...
Martin University, cofounded by the Black Catholic Benedictine priest Boniface Hardin, is officially up for sale in Indianapolis at $3.5M.
The predominantly Black institution closed abruptly in December after years of financial turmoil and low enrollment. www.blackcatholicmes...
"I ask because all the ones who protect this illness from total immunity can't keep your name off their lips.
Christian values this and law and order that,
But don't you come around here reminding us or yourself that you Black."
(Theophilus Adoknyplan)
www.blackcatholicmes...
"One Battle After Another" dominated the Oscars with its story of conflicted identity and leftist politics, brought to the silver screen with gusto.
Simoa Barros cautions, however, against misreading its characters and letting the director off the hook. www.blackcatholicmes...
Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead has been named the next president of Regis University, becoming the first Black person and first woman to lead the 149-year-old Jesuit institution in Denver.
The Black Catholic administrator will succeed Dr. Salvador D. Aceves. www.blackcatholicmes...
"He felt a call to the priesthood at a young age, but was rebuffed by his local diocese due to his race—being told there was “no place in the Church” for Black priests, as were most African-American Catholics of his era who sought to enter seminary."
Fr William "Bill" Norvel, a Josephite and the first African-American male superior general, is dead at 90 after some seven decades in religious life.
The Mississippi native pioneered in establishing parish gospel choirs during the Black Catholic Movement. www.blackcatholicmes...
"[Many residents] were put at risk by another storm's fury just months earlier, Hurricane Melissa. Founded in 1978 by Msgr Gregory Ramkissoon in Mona, near Kingston, MSC has become a primary place of care for the most vulnerable—in particular, abandoned children with disabilities.
Catholics from Lexington visited Jamaica in January for a mission trip to Mustard Seed Communities, which has served the different abled for nearly 50 years.
A priest on the trip spoke with BCM about the journey, which included hurricane recovery efforts. www.blackcatholicmes...
"it was sweet /
too sweet /
like medicine with sugar in it /
to hide the bitter taste. /"
Poem: "First Communion" by Karen Lee-Thorp. www.blackcatholicmes...