What Hath Athens/Jerusalem to do with Harlem

[lucybeebee]

I am a black Catholic who goes to a TLM parish. I love the Catholic faith and want to spread it, particularly among other blacks who seem to be lost in the relativistic thug culture. But when I talk about the Church and classical culture they say that it is “for whites” and that classical culture/learning has nothing to do with them or their experiences. What could I say that might potentially change their minds?

 

[seekerz]

Try starting with stories of the lives of people they can relate to like St Bakhita, then others like St Augustine and the African popes (seems there were three). I run into the “Catholicism = white” syndrome all the time. It helps people to understand that black people have had a stake in the Church from way back when.

Like it or not, cultural background will always be a big factor in evangelization. It doesn’t help that black figures are grossly under-represented in Catholic art.

 

[YinYangMom]

I guess I’d try to find the common denominator. What is their ultimate goal? Is it not to be in heaven with Jesus? Do they believe heaven will be segregated? Do they believe Jesus set a different path for different cultures/races or did He set ONE path?

Take a look at a map reflecting the spread of Christianity. As you read up on early church history, begin to recognize Carthage and Cirta and Cyrene as regions in what is known today as North Africa.

Because of the proximity to Jerusalem Africa was one of the earliest regions to come to know about Jesus from the apostles themselves. Once one recognizes the cities written about in the bible and early church writings as taking place in what is known today as the continent of Africa it is easier to show that Africa played a vital role in the growth of Catholicism. They knew the Church firsthand and spread the Good News from the beginning of the Church. Help them to see that Harlem has rejected that which their forefathers established, not that they were never intended to be members of the Catholic Church. Their forefathers were the Catholic Church!

 

[1ke]

I am a black Catholic who goes to a TLM parish. I love the Catholic faith and want to spread it, particularly among other blacks who seem to be lost in the relativistic thug culture. But when I talk about the Church and classical culture they say that it is “for whites” and that classical culture/learning has nothing to do with them or their experiences. What could I say that might potentially change their minds?

Uh… the early church fathers from Africa, St. Augustin, St. Monica, Pope St. Victor, et. al, and all the present day African bishops would disagree that culture and classical learning is limited to “whites” only.

It seems that your detractors are wanting to focus on how they are different versus how they are the same. The Church is universal. How are they different from St. Augustine, St. Benedict the Black? Their “experience” was a Catholic one.

Here’s a website I found about black saints:

africanamericans.com/BlackSaints.htm

 

[puzzleannie]

Try starting with stories of the lives of people they can relate to like St Bakhita, then others like St Augustine and the African popes (seems there were three). I run into the “Catholicism = white” syndrome all the time. It helps people to understand that black people have had a stake in the Church from way back when.

Like it or not, cultural background will always be a big factor in evangelization. It doesn’t help that black figures are grossly under-represented in Catholic art.

you might also point out, and there have been recent threads with links to news articles on this, that the Catholic Church in Africa is one of the fastest growing in the world. Link him to some of Cardinal Arinze’s wriings and speeches, they will blow him away. Many of the historic African-American churches in this country also have their roots in Protestantism, which arose as a reform movement out of the same western history and culture. Americans of whatever ethnic and cultural background now belong to a culture, for better or worse which sometimes homogenizes and sometimes differentiates all those different cultural traditions that make up American life. So the criticism they have of religion or other institutions is not limited to blacks, or any other group.

 

[bilop]

The North African Saints might not be the best examples, as they were most likely “white”. The population of that area, then and now, is not what we call “black”.

Cardinal Arinze is a great example. You might also research the Christian churches in Ethiopia, which have been around since the very early days.

God Bless you in your efforts.

 

[Maryam]

I am a black Catholic who goes to a TLM parish. I love the Catholic faith and want to spread it, particularly among other blacks who seem to be lost in the relativistic thug culture. But when I talk about the Church and classical culture they say that it is “for whites” and that classical culture/learning has nothing to do with them or their experiences. What could I say that might potentially change their minds?

This is a tough one… I grew up most of my life in the projects so I know the thug culture mentality well. You won’t get anywhere by just presenting “religion” to them as it will put them in automatic defense mode.

You need to catch their attention in short and direct ways… Can you get alittle more into detail on just how you discussed the Catholic Church and the classics with them? I think this would help greatly in trying to see what little changes here and there you can make in how you approach a topic with them.

As with any kind of following the “herd” mentality… it comes down to how one looks to ones peers and alot of these young people do not want to look “uncool” to those in their group.

I think using stories with a “sensationalist” edge to it and then showing how these figures turned their lives over to Christ would be a good way to start. St. Mary of Egypt is a good example to use as she ran away from home at age 12, went on to become a prostitute and later turned her life to Christ.

Then as they ask you questions you can work in the teachings of the Church at the same time.

I hope that Our Lord Jesus Christ grants you many conversion of hearts.

God bless