On May 17, 1985 a group of ten individuals calling themselves the Committee for Concerned Black Catholics* met to discuss issues and concerns that were peculiar to Black Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte. A May 29, 1985 memo to then Bishop John Donoghue stated in part, "One need emerged clearly at the May 17 meeting. That is the need to coordinate efforts of Black Catholics in the Charlotte diocese. This coordination would give visibility to the work of Black Catholics in the diocese and educate various diocesan groups (priests, educators, parishes, etc.) to the needs and contributions of Black Catholics in the Church

In July 1985, the ministry was officially begun as the Diocesan Committee on Black Catholic Ministry and Evangelization, and was a part of the diocesan Ministry for Justice and Peace. In August 1989 it became a separate office to address and serve the needs and concerns of Black Catholics within the Diocese of Charlotte.

From that beginning, the African American Affairs Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte has evolved. The ministry is now one that is fully recognized by the diocese and supported by the Bishop. Its primary goal is to give visibility to the work, contributions, traditions and culture of Black Catholics to the Church and to society, and to propose adequate diocesan responses to racism and other social injustices.

To this end, the ministry plans and conducts a variety of programs, retreats, workshops and events during the year that are open to all in the diocese. The ministry also maintains linkages with the diocesan community, with regional and national networks among Black Catholic leadership, and with other relevant national organizations. The general agenda of the African American Affairs Ministry is taken from The National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan as promulgated by the National Black Catholic Congress VI held in Washington, D.C. on May 21-24, 1987.

In 1969 in Uganda, Pope Paul VI said, "You are now evangelizers to yourselves. You must now share your gifts of Blackness with the whole Church." St. Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 19-22, ... "You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone."

In its 1979 Pastoral Letter On Racism, "Brothers And Sisters To Us", the National Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, "There must be no turning back along the road of justice, no sighing for bygone times of privilege, no nostalgia for simple solutions from another age. For we are children of the age to come, when the first shall be last and the last first, when blessed are they who serve Christ the Lord in all His brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor and suffer injustice."

The African American Affairs Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte asks for the prayers and support of all as we attempt to share our gifts of Blackness with the Church, as we attempt to become full members of the household of God, and as we walk proudly along the road of justice serving Christ our Lord in all His brothers and sisters.

*The terminology "Black Catholics" is used here to include all Roman Catholics of African descent, and Africans who reside in the United States.