A recent Sunday gospel came from St. Luke, telling of the Prodigal Son. It is one of the most popular parables in Scripture and many of us have heard it countless times. Often, we can come away with a sense of justice needing to be applied. However, tender love and mercy are what the Father—our father—really wants to give.
Being embraced by the Father even though we have strayed gives us comfort that helps us grow in faith and strengthen our trust. With that in mind, I have been reflecting on the reality that so many of us who love our faith and want God's will have been hurt both historically and in the present day by the Church.
Honestly, when I heard the stories of so many Black Catholics who maintained their faith in the face of adversity, I found them to be confusing. For hundreds of years in North America, they have not had a simple love story of being welcomed in sacred spaces. Nonetheless, the faith is still among us and many have decided that this Church is the welcoming embrace of the Father.
How does one remain? What can we expect from a Church that has acted towards us, who long for Christ, with malice and exclusion? How have we as Black Catholics managed to keep our faith, share it among the generations, and even make it our own?
I think it is reasonable to say that Black Catholics have a unique worship experience in the Church. They tend to have their own unique expression of worship and praise, and over time such traditions have been maintained. Outright hostility and rejection did not stop the average Black Catholic from choosing to attend Mass, baptize their children, and live a Catholic life.
We might falsely think that small groups are something specific to Protestant denominations, forgetting the fact that Black Catholic laity have always made the faith their own and created communities of comfort and care. I think Black Catholic laity in particular have a special devotion to the Church. The history of anti-Black racism and exclusion is part of the Black Catholic experience. However, though small in numbers, we are still active in the practice of the faith
In the past and present, Black Catholics have found ways to embrace the Church despite rejection. No one wants to experience any form of animosity, especially in sacred spaces. Black Catholics have often faced this suffering, yet there are still Black Catholic parishes, schools, and lay organizations that have maintained a presence within the Church. This level of devotion demonstrates that living in Christ surpasses all forms of hate. Black people, of all people in the Americas, believed the truths of the Gospel. They knew what they were experiencing was wrong, and not the true message of Jesus. They also knew the importance of the sacraments and Scripture, and challenged the Church to actually live up to its teachings.
I find that Black people made the Church face realities it tried to avoid. They did so by growing deeper in love with Christ, supporting each other, practicing the faith, and sharing it with their children and other family members. If Black Catholics in America had not done so, would the Church really reflect all of humanity?
Black Catholics have always known that God’s words are true and that he keeps the promises he makes to those who do his will. Black Catholics have lived with a staunch belief that Jesus came for the salvation of all. I find that the profound truths of the Gospel have allowed Black Catholics to maintain community. The Church, though it has at times caused us harm, should be our sanctuary in the midst of the storm.
Generational traumas are not easy to erase with empty gestures. Therefore, a serious atonement between Black people and the Catholic Church must be open, continuous, and sincere.
Remember the ordinary Black laypeople who simply showed up to Mass, led Bible studies, prayed the Rosary together, catechized children, and loved the Church, holding firm to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was they who caused the faith to remain. No amount of obstacles could stop those who knew their very presence challenged the Church to deeply live out the message of salvation.
We read in the book of Genesis that “God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female.” Meditating on this scripture reminds me that I love a Church that has the fullness of truth, even when some members deliver the message poorly. I am happy for all the Black Catholics who came before me. I know that I am connected to them, since they made sacrifices to affirm my very humanity.
I am not afraid to say that I, a Black Catholic, love the Church that was founded by Jesus.
Tamika Royes has fifteen years of experience in the social services sector in various roles. She has been a tireless advocate of justice causes, beginning in high school. She is currently pursuing a post-graduate certificate at Assumption University.
