Office of Black Catholics
The Office of Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Washington
was established in September 1974. Since 1981, the executive
director of the office serves as a member of the Archbishop's
staff, and has a responsibility to listen to the needs and
concerns as articulated by black Catholics, and to respond
in appropriate ways, or assist the Archdiocese in its response.
The Director provides and develops resources for education;
participates in Archdiocesan planning and decision-making;
implements programs and assists with implementation of programs
to ensure an appropriate response to the needs and concerns
of black Catholics. The Office is expanding its outreach
to include African people and people of African descent in
the Archdiocese of Washington. The director maintains contact
with local and national groups with similar purposes and
goals. The director is active with The National Black Catholic
Congress, The Congress Inter-Regional African American Catholic
Evangelization Conference, and The National Association of
Black Catholic Administrators.
Two major resources for the black Catholic agenda are: "What
We Have Seen and Heard," the Black Catholic Bishops'
Pastoral Letter on Evangelization (1984), and the "National
Black Catholic Pastoral Plan" established by the National
Black Catholic Congress VI in 1987, updated by Congress IX
in 2002. These documents have shaped the focus and direction
for African-American Catholic evangelization.
The Office of Black Catholics develops and builds on collaboration
with other offices and departments of the Archdiocese, and
continues a supportive relationship for our parishes. Currently,
the Office has responsibility for the following:
- Archdiocese of Washington Massed Choir with members representing
15 parishes. Goal: evangelization through liturgical and
sacred music and service to parishes and the larger community
- The Council of Black Catholics, a representative group
of black Catholics that advises the Archbishop on Archdiocesan
matters and matters pertinent to the black community
- The Archdiocesan Black Catholic Congress Team, members
who work in parish and Archdiocesan programs to evangelize
and encourage full participation by black Catholics in
parish life
- Black Catholic History Archives, that provides educational
workshops, seminars, research and resource materials on
or about black Catholics.
- Racial, ethnic, cultural sensitivity and awareness seminars,
materials and workshops
- Lists of black Catholic resource persons willing to serve
the parish and the Archdiocese
- Training and encouragement for potential and current
African American Catholic parish leaders; and other parish
leaders preparing for work in our parishes
- Archdiocesan Chapter, National Black Catholic Apostolate
for Life
- Archdiocesan Chapter, Sisters in the Spirit
Black History Month
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