From USCCB: Statement on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Video

August 29, 2025

On August 29, 2005, the world’s attention was drawn to New Orleans, Louisiana, and the surrounding Gulf Coast region due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. This disaster changed the lives of many from the area, and the lives of the communities across the country in which people sought shelter and stability. Even more, Hurricane Katrina threw into stark focus the deep racial and socio-economic disparities across various sectors, including environmental justice, systemic housing inequality, and disaster response. As we mark the 20th anniversary of this tragedy we remember those who were lost and displaced but also renew our commitment to racial equity and justice in every sector of public life...

A video of Dr. Ansel Augustine reading the statement can be found here: 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - YouTube

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The Importance of Listening to Black Catholic Young Adults

A reflection by Nyle Ayana Grimes

Listening to Black Catholic young adults is not only an act of respect—it is a commitment to the vitality and future of the Church. This is precisely why the Black Catholic Young Adult (BCYA) Listening Sessions held across the United States are invaluable. Black Catholic young adults are heirs to a rich spiritual heritage, carriers of cultural traditions, and crucial partners in shaping the future of Catholic life in this country. In our most recent session in Washington, D.C., participants engaged directly with leadership from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

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Reflection on Pope Leo and his Black Catholic Roots by Jari C. Honora

On May 8, 2025, the world's 1.4 billion Catholics were doubly surprised by the rapid election of a new pope (on the conclave's second day) and the election of the first American pope. I was at work in the research center of the Historic New Orleans Collection when the news began to buzz that a pope had been elected. Upon the announcement of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, my first thought was “Who is this American whom so few Americans seem to know?” That was the question that led me to explore the biographical details and family history of our new Holy Father. 

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Full & Authentic Connections with Black Catholic Families By Efran Menny (Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston)

As my wife and I exited the church, we were always greeted by a familiar church staff  that rushed to greet us with great enthusiasm. “Always a pleasure to see you and your wife,” they would exclaim with a smile wide from cheek to cheek. Initially, when my wife started accompanying me to Mass, it felt like a jovial encounter of genuine appreciation but overtime, enthusiasm morphed into a performative embrace as we were one of the few, if not only, Black American Catholic married couples in our diverse parish.

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My Church, My Home: The Hope of the Election of Pope Leo XIV By Kayla August

If I’m honest, it’s not always easy to be Catholic, particularly from a minority group. Being Black and Catholic puts you in the minority group in both the Catholic AND Black communities, as I work to explain to those inside and outside of my community the beauty of the unique intersection of the African American Roman Catholic experience. If that weren’t enough, being a faith-filled young adult in a primarily “spiritual but not religious” modern context requires its moments of explanation. Let’s all be honest, the church is often not doing me any favors as I work to defend it. People wonder why I can be part of an institution that preaches love, yet many marginalized people fail to experience it when they need it most.

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Diocese of Birmingham: Black Catholic Young Adult Listening Session “Where Do I Fit In?”

            My name is Ethan Ward, and I’m a FOCUS Missionary serving at the Auraria Campus in Denver, CO. I had the honor and the privilege to be in Birmingham for the Black Catholic Young Adult Listening Session and the one word I could use to describe it was passionate. Being in those rooms with other fellow black Catholics, I could recognize the people really desire an increase of black Catholic young adults into the Church because it’s not many of us.

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The Hope Found in Campus Ministry Communities

-Fiona Williams and Myles Griffin (Howard University Bison Catholic Campus Ministry)

 

A lot of parents worry when they send their children off to college, they will not go to church. Well…they are not exactly wrong. I came to Howard University in August 2021 and did not seek out a church home. After an enlightening freshman year filled with the highs and lows of being a college freshman navigating a new city, friendships, and coursework, I started my sophomore year asking God to open my heart to finding a church in Washington DC.
 

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Hope of Harvest - CJ and Dena Washington

As we laid our heads to rest on election night, one truth became clear: no matter the outcome, the world would never be the same. Change was inevitable, and with it, a call to embrace hope as our guiding force. Today, we sit with unwavering confidence in the path God has laid before us. In the face of uncertainty, hope rises, becoming the foundation of our journey. 

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Vocational Discernment: Creating a Culture of Vocations By Fr. Robert Boxie

            This past summer, the Archdiocese of Washington made history.  Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, ordained sixteen new priests to serve this local Church; sixteen new laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, sixteen men who listened to God’s call to give their life in service to God and his Church and who are committed to following Christ in a radical way.  Everyone in attendance at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., felt privileged to witness such an historic moment and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It atmosphere was palpable—every pew, every side chapel, even the aisles overflowed with the lay faithful from all around the archdiocese and beyond, religious men and women, seminarians, deacons, and the family and friends of the ordained.  Additionally, over 210 priests concelebrated the Mass with Cardinal Gregory, along with our retired archbishop and our auxiliary bishops.  The gift of so many new priests brings real joy to the Church, and a real springtime of what is possible when we respond to God’s call in our lives.

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40th Anniversary of What We Have Seen and Heard

Following upon the great pastoral thrust of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council that met in Rome from 1962-1965, dioceses implemented the conclusions of that council vis-à-vis a number of pastoral initiatives. Coinciding with the Civil Rights struggle of that era, the bishops’ attention in this country was turned towards the Black community and its needs for evangelization and pastoral care. Offices, agencies, secretariats, and officers were assigned for this purpose to assist the diocesan bishops craft new ways and means for reaching the Black community.  

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The Subcommittee Mandate

The Subcommittee on African American Affairs (SCAAA) is the official voice of the African American Catholic community. The subcommittee attends to the needs and aspirations of African American Catholics regarding issues of pastoral ministry, evangelization, social justice, worship, development of leaders and other areas of concern. The subcommittee also seeks to be a source for the all Bishops and the entire Catholic Church in the United States. It aims to articulate the socio-cultural dimension of the African American Catholic community and identify or create resources that would allow for an authentic integration of the richness of African American Catholic culture and the Catholic Church in the United States.

Reflection by Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry

Retired Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Chicago, former Chairman of the Subcommittee on African American Affairs

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
                                                                      - Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14  
 
When I was a youth, Catholics were taught that God gave each of us a guardian angel to watch over us and keep us safe. Perhaps even now you can recite the Guardian Angel prayer that you memorized ages ago. In maturity, we may have released an attachment to our guardian angel. Yet, this Scripture passage reminds us of God’s great love for the purity of a child’s faith. 
 
Through religious imagination, one can visualize angels gazing constantly at the source of adoration then whispering God’s intentions in the ears of children. Pray that we are not the static that interferes with such holy conversations. 
 
June 2022, the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity convened a national Intercultural Encounter (Journeying Together) to improve the Church’s ministries for and with youth and young adults, especially with underrepresented cultural groups. Nearly 400 young adults, ministry leaders, bishops and USCCB staff working with all cultural families involved in these ministries gathered in Chicago. Hailing from as far as Alaska and Hawaii they represented 6 cultural families – Black/African American (BAA), Asian and Pacific Island (APIA), Hispanic/Latino (HA), Native American/Indigenous (NA) and European American (EA). Now the work continues in earnest because business as usual just won’t cut it. We strive to improve methods of communication, processes for engagement and program efforts. 
 
I was struck by the confident faith in and love for the Church these young adults exhibited as well as their interest and close attention in listening to the stories of pain and joy of others not of their racial or ethnic tradition.  This was the workings of Church not seen often where we live and worship.  So, we had something unique and inspirational to provide for this generation of young Catholics who are already demonstrating themselves disciples.  Would that we can hold on to this wherever we live and move and have influence! 

 
The 2-year experience of planning and executing Journeying Together revealed that gifted leaders from this generation of younger Catholics are present. They struggle to be recognized and heard. Consequently, we the church must open our ears and hearts to the prophetic voices among us. This is not an either-or generation proposition. It is an invitation to step into intergenerational dialog and cooperation, as well as authentic intercultural friendship. What an exciting, promising opportunity!   
 
  Today many of the faithful lament the departure of teens and young adults from formerly vibrant parishes. True pre-Covid, this is more evident as many families continue remote worship. Where did the young people go and why did they leave? Elders shake their heads and wring their hands in despair while pastors and parish groups attempt to surface solutions to bring them back. The question is, bring them back to what? Why would younger folks come back to more of what sent them away? We could ask the remaining few. 
 
In the meantime, I invite seasoned Catholics active in dioceses and national organizations to recall moments when you decided to serve God through active participation in the church. Who encouraged you to respond affirmatively? It’s likely several people and situations prompted your movement to a closer relationship with God and moments of hesitation. As one younger ministry leader shared with me, established Catholic leaders who wish to engage new leaders would do well to reflect vividly on their own points of conversion and transformation. Start by identifying incidents that turned you on and off to the Church as you were coming up.   
 
   What I’m speaking of is Evangelization. It is at the top of our job description as followers of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Subcommittee on African American Affairs (SCAAA) is developing several efforts to situate Black Catholic Ministry where Generation X, Millennials and Gen Z folk and their allies live. Boomers and older generations will reap the benefits, too. 
 
1. SCAAA Evangelization Task Force is partnering with the National Black Catholic Congress Office to include an Evangelization track at Congress XIII. Details are being worked out. 
 
2. Supporting Catholic Campus Ministry Outreach at HBCUs in dioceses and proximate parishes, SCAAA wishes to leverage the rich potential for relationships with HBCUs and the local Black Catholic community. SCAAA is creating a network of existing and new campus ministers. We invite the support of Black Catholic HBCU alumni and financial supporters. How can you help? Provide welcoming parishes for Mass, reception of the Sacraments, RCIA, parish/diocesan events, service opportunities and young adult ministry. For example, as relationships are formed offer a ride to church, a home cooked Sunday dinner with your family or friendly after Mass conversations. Also note, there is an urgent need for dedicated Catholic campus ministers and supporters. 
 
3. Building on the success of the Journeying Together initiative the Black/African American (BAA) family of young adults and ministry leaders together with USCCB will launch follow-up action this Fall. Local dioceses, parishes and national organizations will be invited to participate. Look for updates from your diocesan and KPC leaders.    
 
Finally, I invite you to prayerfully evaluate how you can engage in robust evangelization with prayer and action. As Jesus urged us, “Do not despise these young ones.”           

See Chairman's Video Message on Evangelization 

https://youtu.be/Yjt7yN7SO34

       

Subcommittee Members

Reflections on the Movement for Black Lives (BLM)

The resources which follow are a series of four articles on the expression “Black Lives Matter” provided by the Subcommittee on African American Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. These articles do not claim to be a definitive statement on this matter. They are posted in the hope of providing background information which might help clarify what sometimes can be a controversial topic and serve as a stepping stone toward further reflection and dialogue on the important matter of racial justice...read more.