Black Catholic Clergy and Religious in the US

The history of the Catholic Church is enriched by the contributions of numerous Black clergy and Religious who have made significant impacts in various capacities. 

Cardinal Gregory

Appointed as the 7th Archbishop of Washington on April 4, 2019. He is the highest ranking African-American prelate and only African-American Cardinal in the world. His elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2020 marked a historic moment in the American Catholic Church. Before his current appointment, he served as the bishop of Belleville, Illinois, and later as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Cardinal Gregory currently serves as a Member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life and on the Board of Trustees for the Papal Foundation. 

Archbishop Fabre

Appointed 5th Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky on February 8, 2022. He is the first African American Archbishop of Louisville. Bishop Fabre has served as the Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. He is known for his pastoral leadership and his commitment to addressing issues of racism and poverty. Bishop Fabre has also served in various capacities within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including as the chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.

Bishop Ricard

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, was elected in August 2019 as Superior General of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart also known as The Josphites. He is a respected figure in the Catholic Church who served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was appointed to this position on March 13, 1997, by Pope John Paul II. Bishop Ricard, a member of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites), brought his dedication to social justice and community engagement to his role as bishop.

Bishop Jacques

Bishop Jacque Fabre was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston on February 22, 2022 by Pope Francis. He is the first Bishop of African descent for the Diocese of Charleston and the first Haitian-American to lead a Catholic Diocese in the United States. Before his elevation to the episcopate, Bishop Jacque was a parish priest in Atlanta, where he served as administrator at San Felipe de Jesus Mission in Forest Park from 2009-2022. Before his appointment, Bishop Fabre was a member of the Missionaries of St. Charles, also known as Scalabrinian Fathers, a religious order dedicated to supporting migrants.

05

Father Clarence Joseph Rivers

Revered as a pioneering figure in the incorporation of African-American culture into Catholic worship, Father Rivers was a composer and liturgist who played a key role in the liturgical renewal movement following Vatican II. His compositions, which blend traditional Catholic liturgy with African-American musical styles, have had a lasting impact on the way liturgy is celebrated in diverse communities.

06

Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA

A well-known figure in the American Catholic Church, Sister Thea Bowman was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who was renowned for her advocacy for racial justice and her efforts to bridge cultural divides within the Church. Though not a clergy member in the traditional sense, her influence and role in the Church were profound, especially in promoting the inclusion of African-American culture in Catholic worship.

07

Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD

Bishop Bowers was the first African-American to be ordained a bishop in the 20th century. Born in the United States, he served primarily in Ghana and was instrumental in establishing several dioceses in the region. He was a member of the Society of the Divine Word and played a significant role in the development of the Church in Africa.

08

Father Augustus Tolton

Often remembered as the first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States, Father Augustus Tolton faced significant racial discrimination in his journey to priesthood. Ordained in Rome in 1886 because no American seminary would accept him due to his race, he returned to the U.S. to serve in a predominantly Black parish in Chicago. His life and ministry were marked by deep faith and resilience in the face of adversity.

09

Bishop George Vance Murry, SJ

Bishop Murry was a Jesuit priest who served as the Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio. Known for his dedication to education and racial justice, he was a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and served as the chair of the Committee Against Racism. His leadership in addressing social issues and promoting diversity within the Church was highly regarded.

10

Father Cyprian Davis, OSB

A Benedictine monk and a renowned historian, Father Davis was a leading authority on the history of African-American Catholics. His seminal work, “The History of Black Catholics in the United States,” is considered a crucial text for understanding the African-American Catholic experience. He was also a professor at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana.

11

Sister Mary Antona Ebo, FSM

Sister Ebo was a Franciscan Sister of Mary who made history as the first African-American nun to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Her activism and dedication to healthcare and social justice marked her as a pivotal figure in the struggle for civil rights and equality within the Church and in the broader society.

12

Cardinal Robert Sarah

Originally from Guinea, Cardinal Sarah has been a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. Appointed as a cardinal in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, he has served in various high-level positions within the Vatican. Notably, he was the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

13

St. Josephine Bakhita.

St. Josephine Bakhita, born in Sudan in the late 19th century, endured a traumatic childhood marked by childhood abduction, slavery, and suffering. However, her life took a remarkable turn when she was freed from slavery and embraced Christianity. She eventually became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to God, embodying forgiveness, love, and resilience, making her a symbol of hope and inspiration for many. St. Josephine Bakhita was canonized as a saint in 2000 by Pope John Paul II, who recognized her as a shining example of faith and transformation.

US Black Catholic Clergy & Religious Database

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