6 WWW.THERECORDNEWSPAPER.ORG FROM THE OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY THE RECORD NOVEMBER 14, 2019
On July 24, 1990, the Na- tional Black Catholic Cler- gy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. Two com- memorative dates fall within this month, Saint Augustine's birthday (November 13) and Saint Martin de Porres' feast day (November 3). November not only marks a time when we pray for all saints and souls in loving remembrance, but also a time to recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African diaspora. Some people forget that Christianity did not origi- nate in Europe and even express surprise when they learn that Black Catholic his- tory began in the Acts of the Apostles (8: 26-40) with the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip the Dea- con. This text is important for several reasons. First, it chronicles the conversion of the first black African in recorded Christian history. Second, the text suggests that the man was a wealthy, literate, and powerful emis- sary of the Nubian queen and also a faithful, practicing Jew prior to his baptism. Third, the Ethiopian Eunuch's con- version predates the con- versions of Saints Paul and Cornelius. Most significantly, many cite this conversion as the very moment when the church changed from a Hebrew and Hellenist com- munity to the truly universal and Catholic church. Black Catholics trace their faith history back to Christian antiquity long before other nations heard the good news. Christian Africa was indeed a "leading light" in early Christendom. Black Catholics point to three popes who were born in Africa: Saints Vic- tor I, Melchiades, and Gela- sius I. All three shepherded the early church through tough and tumultuous times in history. Black Catholics claim many Black saints like Saints Cyprian, Zeno, An- thony of Egypt, Moses the Black, Pachomius, Maurice, Athanasius, Pisentius, Mary of Egypt, Cyril of Alexandria, Monica of Hippo, Augustine of Hippo, Perpetua, Felicitas, and Thecla. Some of these mystics, monastics, and mar- tyrs literally made the church what it is today. Not many people know that King Nzinga-a-Nkuwu Mbemba (Afonso the Good) of Kongo and his subjects made their profession of faith thanks to the work of Portuguese missionaries one year before Christopher Columbus made his famous voyage in 1492, or that Pope Leo X consecrated the king's son, Henrique, Titular Bish- op of Utica in 1518 which was one year before Mar- tin Luther nailed his list of ninety-five theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. Bishop Henrique was the first native bishop of West Africa. However, he died in 1531. The Congolese Church and the hopes for an indig- enous clergy died with him. Finally, the genocidal slave trade killed true evangeliza- tion in sub-Saharan Africa for several centuries. Notwithstanding the mor- al crimes of chattel slavery, the French and Spanish mis- sionaries ministered to their free and enslaved African population within their re- spective colonies. This min- istry laid the foundation for Black Catholic communities within the United States, in Mobile, Ala.; New Orleans, La.; Kentucky, and Saint Au- gustine, Fla. It is important to note that many African- American Catholics cherish Peruvian Dominican Saint Martin de Porres, the only Black saint from the Western Hemisphere to date. Tragically, the American Catholic Church did not se- riously commit its time and resources to minister to the African American popula- tion during the antebellum or postbellum periods. Howev- er, God made a way! In spite of insuperable obstacles and opposition, African American Catholics created a remark- able movement of faith and evangelization. Many coura- geous people played pivotal roles within church history like Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Mathilda Beasley, Daniel Rudd, and the Rever- end Augustus Tolton. They witnessed their faith, minis- tered to their people, and left lasting legacies in the face of prejudice, ignorance, and indifference. One cannot read their stories without feeling tremendous joy, sorrow, and inspiration. They are truly heroic accounts. Black Catholic History Month provides opportuni- ties to learn and share the whole history and rich heri- tage of Christian Catholi- cism. Ubi Victoria Veritas! The Victory of Truth! For more information about Black Catholic History, please read "The History of Black Catholics in the United States" by Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Ph.D.
Text used with permission "November is Black Catholic History Month" www.nbccongress.org
Celebrate Black Catholic History Month
According to many Afri- can American Catholic schol- ars in the Church and in higher institutions of learn- ing, Black Catholic History Month provides opportuni- ties for the church to en- hance its understanding of a people who endured the hardships of enslavement, discrimination, and racism and yet remain steadfast as they continue to live out their journey of faith. While many believe that African Ameri- can Catholics are newcomers to the church, the truth is the presence of African American Catholics in America can be traced back to the 1500s. During the earliest period of colonies settling in the new world, African Americans played a major role in the American story and in the church in the U.S. In 1565, some free Africans as well as enslaved Catholic people were among the Spanish colonists when the city of St. Augustine in northern Florida was founded. The faith of African Amer- ican Catholics was passed down from one generation to another, notwithstanding unconventional structures/ systems of racism and bond- age which marred the Catho- lic Church in America dur- ing the earlier years in its history. During the enslavement period, reading was illegal, and yet our ancestors found a way to make the Bible a part of their lived realities. Sacred Scripture is the foundation for spirituality among Afri- can Americans in their past and at this present time. Like many distinct ethnic groups/races, African Ameri- can Catholic spirituality is based on our lived experienc- es and our interpretation of God speaking to us through sacred Scripture. "Our spiri- tuality is Africentric with four major qualities: Our Spirituality is introspective. According to "What We Have Seen and Heard" is- sued on September 9, 1984, by the 10 African American Catholic bishops of the Unit- ed States, "Prayer is sponta- neous and pervasive in the black tradition. Our ances- tors taught us that we could not run from God; we must lean on him and surrender to his love." Every place and everywhere presents oppor- tunities to experience God through prayer. We come face to face with our African American traditions when we are praying spontaneously in song, words or Liturgi- cal Movement. In times like these, we live in a world in- fluenced by technology and human engineering; our jour- ney in living our spiritual faith allows us never to forget God is in control. Our Spirituality is holistic. It is all-inclusive reflect- ing a religious experience that encompasses the whole person, which includes one's feelings, intellect, heart, and head. There is no separation between one's culture, and one's religious expression or experience. African Ameri- can Catholics have a sense of freedom of expression; we are not afraid nor ashamed of our emotion, which is Africentric. Our Spirituality reflects joyfulness. It embodies celebratory gestures which are experi- enced through movement/li- turgical dance, rhythm, emo- tions, exultation, song and thanksgiving. This joyfulness is a sign of our living faith in- viting individuals to engage in praising and worshipping God to our fullness. Joyful- ness is a characteristic of the spirituality of African Ameri- can people. It is because of this we can celebrate the pres- ence and the proclamation of the word with enthusiasm. Many are of the mindset that this joyfulness is a sign of our living faith and especially our hope for a deeper relationship with God. Our Spirituality is mutually shared. We believe that African American spirituality reflects the good news, and we are the conveyers of that good news with those in the com- munity. The concerns of the community are essential and must be a part of our wor- ship. Worship is a celebra- tion of community with no one omitted. Our spiritual- ity moves us to embrace the total being and the realities they live. A significant number of in- dividuals are of the mindset that gifts from God should be shared with others. As people from the African diaspora, we have many gifts, and we are called to share them. Our African American culture is interwoven with our faith and viewed as gifts. They, too, must be shared with our communities and the church. The church is made stron- ger and the descendants of Africans will continue their journey of faith. Further Reading: "What We Have Seen and Heard" A pastoral letter on Evangelization from the Black bishops of the United States, issued September 9, 1984. "The History of Black Catholics in the United States" by Fr. Cyprian Da- vis, O.S.B., Ph.D.
M. Annette Mandley- Turner is Executive Director of the Office of Multicultural Ministry in the Archdiocese of Louisville
Black Spirituality enables African Americans to continue their Faith Journey
ARCHDIOCESE OF LOUISVIL E
OF ICE OF MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY
AFRICAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC MINISTRIES
35
th
Annual
Community Wide Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
"I Stil Believe"
Monday, January 20, 2020 10:00 a.m. Cathedral of the Assumption
433 South Fifth Street Louisville, KY 40202
Join Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D., the Archdiocesan Gospel Choir, & others for a service of prayer and praise!
For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Ministry at 502-471-2146. This is an implementation of the Archdiocese of Louisville's Strategic Plan and made possible through Catholic Services Appeal.
This year, our nation is observing the 400 years since Africans arrived in bondage at Jamestown. As we do so, we recall our own history as a diocese where bishops, priests, religious orders and individual Catholics owned slaves. African American Catholics have been a part of the story of the Archdiocese of Louisville since its beginning, and their story is a tragic one of racism and of segregated parishes, schools and cemeteries. Unfortunately the legacy of racism is all too real in our communities and in our Church today. This history also represents a compelling journey of faith, in which our Catholic witness has been enriched by the vibrant spirituality, concern for the poor and robust sense of community of African American Catholics. Last year, I had the honor of introducing the Archdiocese of Louisville's African American Catholic Five-Year Pastoral Plan of Action. This year, I am pleased to report on its progress in four areas: Leadership, Racism/Social Justice, Development of West Louisville, and Vocations. Leadership: Leadership development has long been a high priority of our Office of Multicultural Ministry. As part of the implementation of this plan, the Archdiocese of Louisville will be collaborating with three other dioceses to host a "Called to Lead" Summit in 2020. We also are developing an Africentric mentoring program. Racism/Social Justice: The Office of Multicultural Ministry has been working with our Catholic schools to reduce racism and to educate teachers about building a culture of inclusivity. In addition, the Archdiocese will be sponsoring a Symposium on Racism in 2020. West Louisville: The Office of Multicultural Ministry is working with One West, made up of various civic groups, to consider and plan how the faith community might serve the West Louisville community better in the next three to five years. Vocations: The Office of Multicultural Ministry is working with the Vocation Office to discuss and strategize about how to raise up African American Catholic vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I look forward to the flowering of all of these initiatives as we continue to journey in faith. I am grateful to Annette Mandley-Turner and all of the staff in the Office of Multicultural Ministry as well as so many dedicated clergy, religious and lay leaders, who carry out these efforts with such commitment and care. During this Black Catholic History Month, we seek to be informed by the past, accompany and serve in the present and seek a future full of hope. As we do so, I invite us to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue to journey in faith together.
A Message from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
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