Ricky Malebranche to be ordained first Black American priest in Arlington Diocese
The former high school counselor is one of several U.S.-born Black Catholic seminarians who has received Holy Orders within the past year.
Black men
Simon Peter Engurait named Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux—first native African Catholic prelate in mainland U.S.
The Ugandan-born priest, who immigrated in 2007, has administered the diocese since the unexpected death of Bishop Mario Dorsonville in 2024.
Charles Rangel, trailblazing Black congressional voice, dead at 94
The Harlem activist was the first Black chair of the House Ways and Means Committee before an unceremonious exit after facing ethics charges.
Dr. William Tate IV tapped as next president of Rutgers University
Since 2021, the Catholic-raised academic has served as the first Black president of Louisiana State University.
Jubilee pilgrimage to honor Venerable Augustus Tolton in August
The annual event will be led by retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, who has led the Tolton cause for 15 years in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Podcast: Chris Ellis on answering the call to the permanent diaconate (BCM show #15)
The Black Catholic D.C. native sat down with BCM to discuss culture, calling, and the need for greater commitment to evangelization.
As a Black Catholic, I believe faith belongs in the fight for a more sustainable future.
Leonard Robinson on the challenges facing religious activism in environmental spaces and how inclusive collaboration is key to the green movement.
Parolin and Prevost: A tale of two papabile
Nate Tinner-Williams on the unforeseen ascension of an American pope and the swift reduction of an old Italian guard.
'Providential': Black Catholics react to Pope Leo XIV, the Creole
The former Robert Prevost is now known to be of African ancestry, part of a growing picture Americans are forming of the new supreme pontiff.
Prayer for a pope: On Leo XIV and the era of great faith
Dr. Ronald E. Smith shares how we can support the new Roman pontiff, inspired by recent Catholic exemplars of holiness and evangelization.
White smoke, Black pope? Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff, has African roots
Previously unknown genealogy on the 69-year-old Chicago native was revealed by genealogists shortly after white smoke rose in St. Peter's Square.
Fr Jeff Harvey, acclaimed Vincentian professor and preacher, dead at 61
The Los Angeles native spent more than three decades as a parish priest and seminary professor in the United States and Oceania.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory says Mass at Rome titular church ahead of 2025 papal conclave
The Black Catholic prelate gathered with his Italian faithful amid scheduled Masses with cardinals in town to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
Ordination anniversary of Venerable Augustus Tolton celebrated in Rome
The first openly Black Catholic priest in America was ordained at the Lateran Basilica in 1886 and was put on the path to sainthood in 2010.
Black cardinals—and not just Africans—among candidates for next pope
An African American and a Haitian are expected to join 15 Black African electors in the papal conclave, which could choose one from their number.
Archdiocese of Chicago sues claimants who alleged abuse at Black Catholic parish
Two defendants are among some 30 individuals alleged to have conspired in filing false claims against notoriously former priest Daniel McCormack.