HISTORY
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.
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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal: To plan, coordinate and carry out ministries for the improvement of the human condition of African Americans within the Diocese of Charlotte
Objective: To impart leadership skills and technical services for a viable Catholic Church in both the diocese and the African American community
Goal: To have meaningful input in the procedures, appointments and reassignments of priests, deacons and religious who serve the African American community
Objective: To assess and evaluate the performance, attitudes and capabilities of ministers responsible for the spiritual and temporal needs of African Americans in order to encourage, support and provide training where the need is identified
Goal: To document and distribute information throughout the diocese regarding African American concerns, needs and contributions
Objective: To establish a mechanism for the correlation and articulation of the concerns, needs and contributions of the African American community to the people of the Diocese of Charlotte
Goal: To promote racial understanding and unity within the diocese and its multi-structures
Objective: To develop workshops and in-service training programs designed to complete the integration of African American culture, history and tradition into the life of the Church in the Diocese of Charlotte
Goal: To assist African American Catholics in their spiritual and social justice needs
Objective: To develop liturgical celebrations, retreats and workshops that reflect the spirituality of African American people; To teach and promote the distinct richness and tradition of African American life; To analyze, reflect on and act on social justice issues which affect the African American community; To accept our Christian responsibility in promoting the human dignity and self-worth of all persons, African Americans in particular; To rededicate ourselves to be living witnesses of Jesus in our daily lives.
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