Black Catholics

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Malia_Belen said:
I’m a little bit nervous about visiting a Catholic Church because I’m black. I guess my question is are there many black Catholics? 🙂
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There are plenty of black Catholics, although there might not be in your particular location. In many parts of the United States, most Catholics are descended from immigrants from the Catholic nations of Europe- Italy, Poland, Ireland- nations that are overwhelmingly white.

It all has to do with waves of immigration , geography and history- and nothing to do with race per se.
 
HI. I think the simple thing to do would be look for a Catholic Church in a predominatly Black neighborhood. The parish I attend has an enormous mix of people. We have families that are racially mixed, families who have adopted children from China, Guatemala and Russia, and just about any other variety of person you can imagine. It’s in a racially mixed neighborhood, so it’s easy here. Anyone walking in the door would feel at home.

I can understand how your apprehension. I’ve been the only white person at a few weddings and a couple funerals, and I sang in a Gospel music concert at a Baptist Church. 200 singers, 6 were white. But everyone had one big thing in common; we were all there to praise the Lord through our love of Gospel music. You’ll be in the Church for the same reason, and you’ll be very welcome.
 
Over here the parish I go to we have a pretty nice blend of all races. I am originally from RI and I did not see any black people at any of the churches I went to.
 
Malia_Belen said:
you’re right, I have no idea what those words mean…hehehe…hopefully, I’ll learn as I read the posts and learn about Catholicism.

Also, I’d like to thank everyone who responded to my post. Everyone gave some really nice suggestions, advice and ideas.

I had no idea that there we so many black Catholics in various places. I’d be happy with just meeting one or two at the church I’m going to visit so I don’t feel like I stand out 🙂
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Way back in 1873, the American Catholics hired a Black man as president of one of their predominately white universities.
 
You would feel very much at home at the parishes in my dioceses, most of which are extremely diversified. Those children and now their children are intermarrying, so there’s no labels for the babies except BEAUTIFUL.
 
I remember one Easter going to Mass – turns out that it was a Malayalam service. All the parishioners – and I mean all – were Indian, in their cultural dress. I was the only white face in the church. Yet all the faces that turned to me when I came in had welcoming smiles and nods.

I think you’ll find the same in any Catholic church – whether the faces are black, brown, or pasty-white like me! 😃
 
Malia_Belen said:
Hi,

I’m new to the forum and I’ve found myself curious about the Catholic faith for the past few months which is the reason I signed up…hehehe although I’ve been kind of lurking and reading posts here for a while.

There are quite a few things that I’m unsure of about the Catholic Faith but I thought I’d start with the one that’s actually preventing from stepping into a Catholic Church although it technically has nothing to do with the Catholic faith itself so I hope I’m posting it in the right place.

I’m a little bit nervous about visiting a Catholic Church because I’m black. I guess my question is are there many black Catholics? Will people there think I’m weird or strange 'cause I’m there? I know these seems like silly questions but I’m human and it’s something that’s been on my mind because I don’t think I know any black Catholics.

Thanks for reading:)
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I personally don’t think it would be “weird or strange” for you to be at a Catholic Church. Last year I returned to the Parish where i grew up in, (1960’s and 100% caucasion) and the congregation was now at least half black. One of the priest’s was also black. It was great to see all of us worshiping together as one people. Just the way God wants it to be! Come join us, you are most welcome!
 
Hey there:

I am a Black woman and still Protestant:D , but I have visited several Catholic churches here in the DFW (Dallas/Ft. Worth) area. Heck, I even took grad level classes at the local Catholic college, U of Dallas (which is actually in Irving–just like the Dallas Cowboys, which next year will be in Arlington, not Irving or Dallas. Go figure).

Anyway, I can tell you that I got a warm welcome at both the university and at the Catholic churches I visited --both the university chapel, as well as the local parishes in DFW. Heck, I even was given a free ticket to a Young Serra Catholic evangelization weekend at SMU (Southern Methodist U) about a decade ago (Scott Hahn, Father Groeschel, et al) by the Catholic friends I made at UDallas. I got invites to a Feast of the Virgin of Guadelupe celebration, a classmate’s child’s baptisim, a wedding—they haven’t run me off yet! I even attended a “Fullness of Truth” conference in Arlington this past August; I may have been the only non-Catholic in attendance!

I agree with previous posters that the racial makeup of a congregation depends a lot on whatever side of town the parish is in. I have visited Catholic churches in the suburbs here in DFW where I was the only person I saw of African ancestry. I have also visited a parish in South Dallas, where the only Caucasian was the priest. (Now that gas prices are down, I think I’ll go visit again–it’s about a 30 minute trip from where I live). I live within walking distance of a parish is which is all the colors of the rainbow, but the mass I sometimes visit there (Sunday night) is mostly Caucasian. I can’t go Sun AM because I’m a musician at my church.

Yeah, a few MIGHT be standoffish, but as I said, I got an overall warm welcome, otherwise I would never go back.

Don’t forget, the Catholics will learn as much from you as you will from them. There is a lot of misinformation floating among Catholics about Protestants , and vice versa. The only way we can clear up the ignorance is to talk to each other. Visiting a Mass or two and finding someone who can answer your questions and/or direct you to material to read really helps.

There is even a black Catholic evangelist I ran across online! Check out Richard Lane at www.qorban.net He is good friends with Alex Jones, and he has a blog also which you access from his site. If the web address I gave doesn’t work, just Google “Catholic Evangelist Richard Lane” and that should bring it up. :egyptian:
 
Dear sister Malia,

I am a Coptic Catholic of Egyptian/Persian ancestry (Coptic Catholics are a specific name for Catholics from Egypt). I can honestly tell you that the Catholic Church is the most color-blind, most cosmopolitan, most culturally diverse Church I have ever been in. If people look at you when you first enter the Church, it will be because you are a new face, not because you are black.

I pray your journey will be pleasant and fulfilling.

Abundant blessings,
Marduk
 
Malia_Belen said:
Thanks everyone 🙂

I’m feeling better… though still a little nervous. I pass this Catholic Church near my house every so often and I’ve never seen any blacks going in or out. So, I always feel like people will stare at me or something if I should go in one Sunday and sit in the back to listen to the service. :o
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Malia, You first need to understand what the essence of the word “Catholic” means. In the year 100 AD Ignatius of Antioch, an Early Church Father described the Church as “Catholic” Catholic comes from the Greek word “Cathlicos” which means universal. Originally the word was used as an adjective, although it is and was a noun. When Christ set up his Church and told peter to feed his sheep. (John 21:15-17) He meant ALL his sheep throughout the world. We see this clearly see this when Jesus commissions his Apostles to “Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)

Jesus, did not come to set up a Church based on national, ethnic, language, or cultural lines, he came for ALL people.

Let me share with you a brief anecdote. There is a parish in my diocese that is quite unusual. The pastor is Polish and there is a large Polish community present, however there is a large African American community present there as well. All worship side by side not as Black or Polish but as Catholics, united in One faith. The Book of Ephesians says “There is one Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5) So don’t worry. All is well.

This is a link to the Black Catholic Network within our Diocese
cathdal.org/default.asp?contentID=93

Also I am sure that some other people more familiar with History will be able to tell you about the various African popes we have had. I believe that there were several in the 3rd century.

Peace and blessings to you
-Aquinasmind
 
Honestly, I can only think of one time when I saw a black person in my church (in NW Ohio). There are a few more Mexicans, because I think there’s a migrant village nearby.

Anyway, I would think people might look at you a little, just because your different color would draw the eye toward you, not because you’re not welcomed or anything. For example, if there were 30 blue balloons and one yellow, the yellow would be more noticeable.
 
There are many Haitians too. I’m not sure if this has already been said…I skipped all the pages.
 
Wow, thanks everyone. Everyone here at the forum has been so warm and welcoming. I can’t believe so many people replied to my message. I thought I’d be lucky if five people answered.

I just wanted to let everyone know that this Sunday will be my fourth Sunday at the nearby Catholic Church and things are going much better than I expected. Everyone was really nice. This one women even came up and told me I was *so pretty *and I think she even hugged me but I was so shocked that I don’t exactly remember. There was another woman their who sat next to me and helped me through the first mass and then the second mass…she took me back to the children’s church and gave me a little book called the Mass for Children which was extremely helpful. Everyone here and at the church is so kind. I can’t believe I was even scared to set foot into the church. In fact, the first day it took me ten to fifteen minutes to even get out of the car. I’m sure people were wondering why I was just sitting their on the passenger side looking at everyone.

And there were quite a few people their of different colors.

Thanks everyone 😃 🙂 😃
 
Malia_Belen said:
Wow, thanks everyone. Everyone here at the forum has been so warm and welcoming. I can’t believe so many people replied to my message. I thought I’d be lucky if five people answered.

I just wanted to let everyone know that this Sunday will be my fourth Sunday at the nearby Catholic Church and things are going much better than I expected. Everyone was really nice. This one women even came up and told me I was *so pretty *and I think she even hugged me but I was so shocked that I don’t exactly remember. There was another woman their who sat next to me and helped me through the first mass and then the second mass…she took me back to the children’s church and gave me a little book called the Mass for Children which was extremely helpful. Everyone here and at the church is so kind. I can’t believe I was even scared to set foot into the church. In fact, the first day it took me ten to fifteen minutes to even get out of the car. I’m sure people were wondering why I was just sitting their on the passenger side looking at everyone.

And there were quite a few people their of different colors.

Thanks everyone 😃 🙂 😃
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I attended a fascinating lecture on black American Catholics not long ago. In the 20th Century, there was a massive movement towards Catholicism for many blacks. Many that moved north were welcomed by Catholics and given help and hope… while in the south, they would find whites who were sympathetic to their plight, as they suffered from hatred and bigotry too (the KKK hated blacks, jews, Catholics, after all).

I didn’t grow up Catholic, I joined the Church later. I can only imagine being black and non-Catholic in a white, Catholic parish! I would say that Catholics are in general, very open and welcoming to diversity. What you find at each parish, in terms of ethnic diversity, depends on what is available and practical.

If you are in a large urban area, different ethnic groups tend to come together at particular parishes. So one parish might have a strong white and Vietnamese presence. Another may might mostly Mexican with some other hispanics, with all Masses in Spanish. Where I am from, there are parishes which describe themselves as most African-American… but that is because they are close black communities in mostly black neighborhoods, although you will find blacks throughout the parishes of the metro area.

The rural areas can often be interesting, as they may have a multitude of ethnicities, and only one parish.

I’m not saying this as a way of saying different groups go to different parishes. Not at all. What I am saying is that Catholics recognize the tremendous diversity of our Church. Each parish isn’t a different “church” as you might find typically throughout America. We understand that we are all brothers and sisters, with a strong presence on every continent. Parishes are just local gatherings of nearby parts of that family.

At any rate, you are very much welcome at your local parish. I know how easy it is to feel like an outsider when you aren’t Catholic… but don’t worry, all kinds of people are welcome. They will be happy to have you 🙂
 
The Catholic Church is one of the few Christian churches that has not refused blacks admission into their church meetings and as members. I assume that’s the reason that you don’t have “black Catholic churches” as opposed to black Baptist churches and so forth.
 
Here is a link to a story about a man in North Carolina who converted and helped start a Catholic parish after the Civil War because his Methodist Church did not want to allow the African Americans in.

I heard this story several months ago and just loved it 🙂
 
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