'Fiducia Supplicans' and seeing Christ above the crowd
Stephen Staten covers the new issuances from the Vatican and the need for more commitment from the faithful to charity, openness, and mercy.
Ministry
Remembering the first African-American Catholic permanent deacons
Dcn Tim Tilghman recounts the beginnings of the permanent diaconate in the United States—and the American religious community that made it happen.
Interview: Dr. Ansel Augustine, new USCCB leader for African Americans
The former youth minister and diocesan official will help guide the U.S. bishops' ministry to African Americans, succeeding longtime head Donna Grimes.
National Black Catholic Congress releases new Pastoral Plan of Action
For the first time, the NBCC formed the five-year plan by surveying participants from their national gathering, held most recently in summer 2023.
The 'domestic church': A Black Catholic reflection on marriage
Andrew and Terri Lyke, retired experts in marriage ministry, explain how family formation in a Catholic home leads to embodied love in the world.
Black Catholic young adult webinar brings home need for change
Following up a workshop held in the fall at Xavier University of Louisiana, the virtual event shared insights from the gathering and hopes for the future.
Black Catholic young adults to host webinar as follow-up to national gathering
The panel will include organizers of a YA convening at Xavier University of Louisiana in the fall, which produced a report outlining key needs.
Vatican clarifies same-sex blessings, emphasizing unchanged doctrine
The release comes just weeks after a Pope Francis-approved declaration allowed for the blessing of couples in "irregular" situations, including gays.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS issues statement on same-sex blessings
The Haitian-American is one of several U.S. prelates to publicly react to the new Vatican doc allowing blessings for couples in irregular unions.
The new Vatican doc on blessings is a call to serve.
Fr John McKenzie welcomes the headline-making declaration from Rome that Catholic clergy can bless same-sex couples and the irregularly remarried.
Report: Black Catholic young adult plan of action
The compiled recommendations borne from the national Black Catholic young adult gathering held this fall in New Orleans.
Matthew 25:14-30: Remembering the 'Magnificent Seven'
Deacon Tim Tilghman applies the Sunday Gospel reading to the stories of the first Black men to serve as Catholic priests in the United States.
Amid national exodus, Black Catholic young adults gather to plan renewal
The weekend convening was organized to form an action plan challenging Church leaders—parish, episcopal, and national—on an oft-forgotten demographic.
Vatican: Transgender people can be baptized, serve as godparents
The new document from Rome also answers similar questions concerning homosexual people and those in same-sex relationships (including marriage).
Why the new synod report gives me hope.
Fr John McKenzie on how the new synthesis document from the Synod on Synodality speaks to his experience as a Black Catholic priest.
Malcolm X: a master evangelist ‘by any means necessary’
Dcn Tim Tilghman extols the virtues of Malcolm X, a legendary activist who modeled his life's work on the Biblical saints.