Black Catholics look to a new generation of leaders at LA gathering
When 10 Black bishops decided to issue a pastoral letter on the state of Black Catholicism in the U.S. in 1984, they identified a few basic priorities: overcoming racism, creating opportunities to experience the Church as a community, and passing the faith to future generations.
Forty years later, more than 100 Black Catholics marked the anniversary of the release of “What We Have Seen And Heard,” by gathering for a two-day congress in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles. The agenda: to look at how far Black Catholicism in the U.S. has come, and where it may be headed.
“It’s just another opportunity for us to gather the community and say, ‘Look at what the Lord has done in 40 years and what is ahead of us in the future,’ ” said Michael Donaldson, senior director of the archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace and one of the Regional Black Catholic Congress’ main organizers.