African american Catholic Church

[excaliber]

I think anyone regardless of color, would be good evangelists for the Church. There are many, again regardless of color, who know nothing about her.

There is no need to segregate evangelization. Whoever can teach the truth, let him teach. And whoever has ears to hear let him hear. Just as the Church wasn’t drawn down cultural lines between jew and gentile, you can’t draw racial lines, either.

I think “African American Catholic Church” is rather a misnomer, seeing as there are none that advertise as a “White American Catholic Church”. (Imagine the firestorm if that ever happened) There is only simply the Catholic Church.

Racial lines were already drawn long ago. Those lines were transparent to “some” caucasians because the lines favored them. And so knowone says anything.
Lots of Catholic churches were already “caucasian Catholic Churches”.

However now the racial lines that were already drawn are not tolerated. And there are African American Catholic Churchs.
Why call it an African American Catholic Church? Because African Americans need a way to find it.
You don’t need to name a church a caucasian american Catholic Church, because there are plenty that are already predominantly white.

I don’t understand why when Blacks get what whites aready had…THEN there is some problem.

As far as evangelising,It seems that being born into Catholosism is one major way of evangelising. The Chances are thet most African Americans in America won’t receive this type of evangelisation.

And like myself many will come in contact with catholics on a regular basis…but never hear much about
the Church.

HOWEVER the very word “African American Catholic Church” will get there attention. Hmmmmm what’s that? they will think.

The African American Catholic Church is sertainly not responsible for drawing racial lines that already existed, it will only serve to help African Americans come into the Church.

Yikes Im saying all this stuff, I guess I better join LOL.

 

[excaliber]

If you examine the parish website, you will see that the correct title is simply “St. Benedict The Moor Catholic Church”. It is not an “African American Catholic Church”, per se, although it is predominantly African American. The website goes on to say “The unique charisma of Parishioners of St. James, Resurrection, St. John the Baptist, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, The Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, and the African-American culture have created this community of hospitality witnessing to the redeeming Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Both of these religious orders are dedicated toward helping the “poorest and most abandoned people in the world” and “those who are poor and marginalised by society”. This particular parish most likely serves a poor, inner city neighborhood, and this church has undertaken a special mission to help out the predominantly African-American community there. It’s not that much different than the culturally Irish, Polish, and German Catholic Churches that exist in places like Chicago, Boston, and New York. Naturally, the church is open to all Catholics, not just African-Americans, but it is trying to reach the youth and community in unique ways in order to assist them.

Take a look at the “About Us” page on the parish website. Visit the sites of the two religious orders and look at their mission statements, and then look at the statement by the Archdiocese on their African-American missions. It might make a bit more sense then.

But isn’t that just the long drug out way of saying “this is an African American Catholic Church”.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Race already was an issue.
If Blacks are less then 4 percent of
The Catholic Church…there is a problem.

The solution is “The African American Catholic Church”.

However if you are for example caucasian, TO YOU there is no problem, so you may not be as concerned as those that have a problem.

For example “equal opportunity employment”. You may say, well why dose race or gender have to be an issue. The answer is that if you are caucasian it was not an issue…However now with equal opportunity employment, its not an issue with blacks eather.

The same can be said about the Church. You may say, why dose race have to be an issue. Well FOR YOU it probably isn’t. And now that I have an African American Catholic Church near my home, Race dose not have to be an issue with me eather.

Black people are not less than four percent of the Catholic Church. That might be the case in the United States but in South America, the Caribbean, and Africa, there are millions of Black Catholics.

Race should not be a deciding factor, but it is. I don’t personally understand why people feel a need to be with ‘‘their own kind’’ but a post on an internet forum will not change that mentality.

I am glad that you have found this church, if you don’t mind me asking, do non African Americans attend too? I noticed they have a Hispanic ministry on their website.

 

[Rolltide]

But isn’t that just the long drug out way of saying “this is an African American Catholic Church”.

No… The reason it isn’t, is because the Catholic Church is not exclusive. God does not care about our race, and any race is welcome to attend any Catholic Church at any time. In fact, the Catholic Church might very well be the most integrated institution in the entire world. Being specifically called an “African-American Catholic Church” might suggest exclusivity, as if other races weren’t really welcome there. Instead, this church has a specified “charism” toward helping African-Americans, and has tried to specifically target them in this neighborhood, since apparently it is overwhelmingly black, but I can assure you that it is not intended as a church that is “only” for African-Americans.

If you go to other areas of this country, you will find Catholic Churches with charisms toward Native Americans on reservations, toward the Polish in inner city Chicago, and, in my own state, toward the Vietnamese in Birmingham. Even our local Maronite Catholic Church has a charism to serve the local Lebanese community. All these churches do is provide an abundance of services that target these groups specifically to counteract some disadvantage they may have in a particular region, where a minority group makes up a majority of the population in a neighborhood.

I will also reiterate what was said up above… it is only in the US and Europe that blacks make up 2% or less of the church… there are actually staggering numbers of black Catholics in Latin America and Africa. In fact, it would not be surprising at all if the next pope was either hispanic or black.

 

[Rolltide]

As a side note, here in the American South, I have witnessed first hand that many churches are indeed still “de facto” segregated. For example, there are most definitely “white” Baptist churches and “black” Baptist churches, especially in rural areas, and although I’m sure that other races would most definitely be welcome in some of them, I’m equally sure that some would NOT welcome other races, even today. I have never witnessed that phenomenon in a southern Catholic Church anywhere.

 

[UndertheRadar]

Race should not be a deciding factor, but it is. I don’t personally understand why people feel a need to be with ‘‘their own kind’’ but a post on an internet forum will not change that mentality.

Thank you. I think you are missing the point Excalibur. You buy into this race issue that has been a problem in the US and elsewhere, but not the Catholic Church. You have said "Racial lines were already drawn long ago. Those lines were transparent to “some” caucasians because the lines favored them. And so know one says anything. Lots of Catholic churches were already “caucasian Catholic Churches.” And maybe you’re right in saying that they have been “caucasian Catholic Churches” without being called that. But if I thought that a Church were in favor of the caucasians I would be posting the same thing here. This is not about caucasian or african american. This is about Christ’s Church which has never promoted segregation. If I were to be outnumbered 10 to 1 by African Americans then so be it. I wouldn’t think twice about it. But don’t call it the African American Catholic Church. Christ’s Church does not distinguish.

 

[brotherhrolf]

The sad fact is that there were racial lines drawn even within HMC. Segregation was a fact of life when I grew up in New Orleans in the 50s and 60s. We had a significant number of black people in our parish and, although there were no formal rules, by tradition (?) black people sat together on the left side of church only. They also did not participate in parish events like fairs or dinners. It would have been inconceivable in those days.

Black people were restricted to balconies in movie theatres. The back of buses and streetcars were “reserved for our colored patrons”. Restaurants had windows where black people could order take-out. I remember all of it clearly but it seems like a nightmare today.

That having been said, St. Katherine Drexel worked tirelessly in NO on behalf of African Americans and founded schools (grade and high) and Xavier University - a Catholic university for blacks.

HMC was never sundered. Our parishes were always integrated. But my Irish ancestors in NO had St. Alphonsus. My German ancestors had St. Mary (directly across the street no less). These things need to be looked at through the lense of history in light of the culture of the times. Having lived in that culture, I have no problems with the idea of an African American Catholic parish.

 

[excaliber]

Black people are not less than four percent of the Catholic Church. That might be the case in the United States but in South America, the Caribbean, and Africa, there are millions of Black Catholics.

Race should not be a deciding factor, but it is. I don’t personally understand why people feel a need to be with ‘‘their own kind’’ but a post on an internet forum will not change that mentality.

I am glad that you have found this church, if you don’t mind me asking, do non African Americans attend too? I noticed they have a Hispanic ministry on their website.

Im talkng about America, because that’s where I live.
We have a COMPLETE misunderstanding here. Whites and blacks go to this church, anyone is welcomed!

The predominantly black churches are no different then the predominantly white churches.

If all Churches were mixed, there would be no need for an African American Catholic Church.

But I speak from experience, most churches around me ARE predominantly white…you may as well call them white american churches…and as a convert, I had to ask myself, If this is Gods true Church why am I normaly the only black person in it. Ofcorse I was not going to travel to africa to see what it looked like there.

I don’t think you understand that Blacks understand eachother, and can evangelise eachother better.

And white people APPARENTLY have BEEN able to evangelise eachother better, in America.

 

[FCEGM]

And white people APPARENTLY have BEEN able to evangelise eachother better, in America.

Excaliber, this religious congregation of the Church was created many years ago to evanglize African Americans:

josephite.com/

You will note that they staff several parishes in Louisiana.

 

[excaliber]

No… The reason it isn’t, is because the Catholic Church is not exclusive. God does not care about our race, and any race is welcome to attend any Catholic Church at any time. In fact, the Catholic Church might very well be the most integrated institution in the entire world. Being specifically called an “African-American Catholic Church” might suggest exclusivity, as if other races weren’t really welcome there. Instead, this church has a specified “charism” toward helping African-Americans, and has tried to specifically target them in this neighborhood, since apparently it is overwhelmingly black, but I can assure you that it is not intended as a church that is “only” for African-Americans.

If you go to other areas of this country, you will find Catholic Churches with charisms toward Native Americans on reservations, toward the Polish in inner city Chicago, and, in my own state, toward the Vietnamese in Birmingham. Even our local Maronite Catholic Church has a charism to serve the local Lebanese community. All these churches do is provide an abundance of services that target these groups specifically to counteract some disadvantage they may have in a particular region, where a minority group makes up a majority of the population in a neighborhood.

I will also reiterate what was said up above… it is only in the US and Europe that blacks make up 2% or less of the church… there are actually staggering numbers of black Catholics in Latin America and Africa. In fact, it would not be surprising at all if the next pope was either hispanic or black.

The name dose not suggest anything…I must disagree with you here. When I say to another African American that there is an African American Church…he knows EXACTLY what I mean.

When you say there is a Polish or russian church people know exactly what you mean.

People were not born yesterday, they know that most churches around them are predominantly white in america, and if they want they can locate ONE that has people who can relate to them.

If you HAVE to be surrounded by mostly one race, why can’t it be your own?

An African American Catholic Church no more suggests that Catholosism is for blacks ONLY…then the already Predominantly white churches suggest that Catholosism is ONLY for whites.

If there is seventy predominantly white churches, and two predominantly black churches…its obvious that the two black churches need to be named so they can be identified. And the seventy predominantly white churches don’t need a name because whites have no problem finding Catholics who are white in America.

 

[excaliber]

Thank you. I think you are missing the point Excalibur. You buy into this race issue that has been a problem in the US and elsewhere, but not the Catholic Church. You have said "Racial lines were already drawn long ago. Those lines were transparent to “some” caucasians because the lines favored them. And so know one says anything. Lots of Catholic churches were already “caucasian Catholic Churches.” And maybe you’re right in saying that they have been “caucasian Catholic Churches” without being called that. But if I thought that a Church were in favor of the caucasians I would be posting the same thing here. This is not about caucasian or african american. This is about Christ’s Church which has never promoted segregation. If I were to be outnumbered 10 to 1 by African Americans then so be it. I wouldn’t think twice about it. But don’t call it the African American Catholic Church. Christ’s Church does not distinguish.

No I understand. Let me explain what the word freedom of speech means to me…It means you are free to speak about a subject because you have experience and knowledge of that subject.

I am MORE THEN HAPPY to discuss
this. However racial subjects are normaly not something a white person has EXPERIENCE in. And you sertainly can’t say that if the tables were turned that whites would have no problem being in the minority.

I can’t tell a person that lives in the middle east how he or she should feel about problems THEY have that I may NEVER HAVE.

Its the same here…its impossible for you to understand that the IMPRESSION is that the Church is already a white church, which is why many blacks won’t even give it a second thought.

Now if an African American Catholic Church is called just what it is…are the white churches who are in the majority all of a sudden going to think Catholosism is for blacks…no.

Are african americans who are surrounded by white churches all of a sudden going to forget that they are surrounded by white churches because there is ONE black church…no.

So what’s the problem?
If there was no problem when it was assumed in America that Catholic churches were white…there should be no problem now.

But if you did not want a church with mostly one race in America, you should have been complaining long ago.

 

[excaliber]

As a side note, here in the American South, I have witnessed first hand that many churches are indeed still “de facto” segregated. For example, there are most definitely “white” Baptist churches and “black” Baptist churches, especially in rural areas, and although I’m sure that other races would most definitely be welcome in some of them, I’m equally sure that some would NOT welcome other races, even today. I have never witnessed that phenomenon in a southern Catholic Church anywhere.

I canot speak for baptists…I don’t know about that situation.
However if you are racist you are not Catholic.

 

[excaliber]

Lets make something clear here.
The Mass is not the place for fellowship, we are in the presence
of Christ. And so when you walk into our African American Catholic Church’s try not to focus on other people around you, rather focus your attention on the mass.

You can come here to this website
to talk, or look into our church bulletin and see if there is something you can get involved in.
:D

 

[LDNCatholic]

I am MORE THEN HAPPY to discuss
this. However racial subjects are normaly not something a white person has EXPERIENCE in.

Again, maybe I am misunderstanding here. Or maybe you are just talking about America, but here in the U.K there are white people who know what it is like to be neglected, segregated and targeted for violence because of their ethnic group and religious beliefs.

These people seemingly do not call themselves an African American Catholic Church, so I don’t feel the need to describe them as such, if as you say people of all races attend the church then I feel that description is even more innappropriate.

Then again, it doesn’t matter what they are called here, as we know that they are Catholics, that is really what matters. I just get a little defensive when racial divisions are made (or appear to be).

Excalibur, a little off topic but your profile says you are a J.W, have you converted/are you looking to convert?

God bless

Peter

 

[fix]

The name dose not suggest anything…I must disagree with you here. When I say to another African American that there is an African American Church…he knows EXACTLY what I mean.

When you say there is a Polish or russian church people know exactly what you mean.

What people say and what they actually mean can be at odds.

When I read your OP I thought you were referring to some non Catholic Church.

There is the Catholic Church in America. Referring to that as the American Catholic Church means some other thing.

 

[palmas85]

The sad fact is that there were racial lines drawn even within HMC. Segregation was a fact of life when I grew up in New Orleans in the 50s and 60s. We had a significant number of black people in our parish and, although there were no formal rules, by tradition (?) black people sat together on the left side of church only. They also did not participate in parish events like fairs or dinners. It would have been inconceivable in those days.

Black people were restricted to balconies in movie theatres. The back of buses and streetcars were “reserved for our colored patrons”. Restaurants had windows where black people could order take-out. I remember all of it clearly but it seems like a nightmare today.

That having been said, St. Katherine Drexel worked tirelessly in NO on behalf of African Americans and founded schools (grade and high) and Xavier University - a Catholic university for blacks.

HMC was never sundered. Our parishes were always integrated. But my Irish ancestors in NO had St. Alphonsus. My German ancestors had St. Mary (directly across the street no less). These things need to be looked at through the lense of history in light of the culture of the times. Having lived in that culture, I have no problems with the idea of an African American Catholic parish.

I too have no real problem with a parish being established along ethnic lines if one is deemed necessary… Lets remember though that even in those parishes that were set up as ethnic parishes, St Alphonsus, Saint Marys, Holy Trinity, St Teresas and nowadays Mary Queen of Vietnam in New Orleans, these parishes did not and still do not refer to themselves as the German Catholic Church or Latino Catholic Church or Irish Catholic Church or Vietnamese Catholic Church.

No they refer to themselves as Catholic Churches period. Which I think is the way it should be. To add either an ethnic or racial prefix to the word Catholic in naming a parish I think is a real bad idea as it shows a separation from the body of the Holy Mother Church.

 

[brotherhrolf]

If there is seventy predominantly white churches, and two predominantly black churches…its obvious that the two black churches need to be named so they can be identified. And the seventy predominantly white churches don’t need a name because whites have no problem finding Catholics who are white in America.

No. We are all Catholic. I agree with my friend Palmas. HMC in the USA has a long tradition of ethnic parishes and a long history of ministry to ethnic/racial groups.

 

[excaliber]

Again, maybe I am misunderstanding here. Or maybe you are just talking about America, but here in the U.K there are white people who know what it is like to be neglected, segregated and targeted for violence because of their ethnic group and religious beliefs.

These people seemingly do not call themselves an African American Catholic Church, so I don’t feel the need to describe them as such, if as you say people of all races attend the church then I feel that description is even more innappropriate.

Then again, it doesn’t matter what they are called here, as we know that they are Catholics, that is really what matters. I just get a little defensive when racial divisions are made (or appear to be).

Excalibur, a little off topic but your profile says you are a J.W, have you converted/are you looking to convert?

God bless

Peter

I live in America, that’s what Im talking about. I know next to knothing about the U.K.

Ignore the Jw stuff on that profile.

 

[excaliber]

It dose not say African American Catholic Church on the sign. But I call it that because that’s what it is.

Sounds like your saying…don’t call a spade a spade.

There are white churches…spanish churches…black churches…etc…etc.
This is fact, it can’t be swept under a rug…its plainly visible.

But things are never a problem until someone makes it public.

I think saying that there are African American Catholic Church’s
makes it public that there are churches that are predominantly something else.

Then there is some how a problem.

If the Catholic Church was still the Catholic church when it was mostly white in America.

Then it is still the same church when blacks have predominantly black churches.

 

[brotherhrolf]

It dose not say African American Catholic Church on the sign. But I call it that because that’s what it is.

Sounds like your saying…don’t call a spade a spade.

There are white churches…spanish churches…black churches…etc…etc.
This is fact, it can’t be swept under a rug…its plainly visible.

But things are never a problem until someone makes it public.

I think saying that there are African American Catholic Church’s
makes it public that there are churches that are predominantly something else.

Then there is some how a problem.

If the Catholic Church was still the Catholic church when it was mostly white in America.

Then it is still the same church when blacks have predominantly black churches.

In the final analysis we are one holy, Catholic, and apostolic church. You may have ethnic or racial parishes here in the US (history certainly proves this) but I can go to Mass at any of the predominatly or historic African American parishes here in south Louisiana and be accepted as a Catholic. There is no African American Catholic Church.