Fr Thomas James, SVD, longtime educator and pastor, dead at 80
An African-American Verbite has died in his native Diocese of Lafayette after 53 years of priestly ministry in Louisiana and Los Angeles, California.
Education
Catholic university leaders speak out with affirmative action on the line
As affirmative action faces scrutiny from the US Supreme Court, Catholic leaders say diversity in higher education—itself an innovation within the program—is key.
Bishop O'Dowd High in Oakland piloting new AP African American Studies course
Amid national controversies concerning race in the classroom, the College Board is piloting a new course on Black history—including at a Catholic school.
Pierre Toussaint Scholarship dinner set for November 7 in NYC
The annual gala honoring Venerable Pierre Toussaint and funding education at home and abroad will take place in Manhattan during Black Catholic History Month.
Tampa's St. Peter Claver, oldest operating Black primary school in Florida, hosting annual gala Saturday
A historic Black Catholic school in Southwest Florida is celebrating 128 years with its annual scholarship gala on Saturday evening.
Historical society for America's first Black city hosting annual meeting Oct. 20
The Fort Mose Historical Society will host its annual meeting this month in St. Augustine, Florida, celebrating new developments and old traditions.
Institute for Black Catholic Studies set for June 25-July 14, 2023 in New Orleans
The nation's Black Catholic graduate theology program has set final dates for its next session, to be held summer 2023 in New Orleans at the nation's Catholic HBCU.
Josephites' seminary added to National Register of Historic Places
The first US seminary to accept African-Americans into formation for the Catholic priesthood has been listed on the nation's top preservation database.
XULA's St. Katharine Drexel Chapel celebrating 10 years on Saturday
The award-winning campus church at Xavier University of Louisiana will celebrate an anniversary Mass on Saturday, following a recent visit to the chapel from a Vatican cardinal.
Archdiocese of Newark to celebrate late Black bishop, diaspora ministry on Saturday
Dual Black Catholic anniversaries are afoot in the Newark archdiocese, where Cardinal Joe Tobin will celebrate a Mass for the occasions on Saturday.
August Wilson, the Catholic
Remembering one of the nation's greatest playwrights, not just in the frame of his well-known works, but also the undying specter of religion.
St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans hires first lay president
One of the nation's oldest Black Catholic schools, founded in New Orleans by Venerable Henriette DeLille, is transitioning to lay leadership.
New documentary covers Dr. Norman C. Francis, longtime president of XULA
A new PBS film will shine a light on the life and legacy of one of America's most impactful educators—who also happens to be a Black Catholic.
Washington School for Girls celebrates excellence, Black and Catholic identity
A Black Catholic school in the nation's capital is thriving as the pandemic wanes, and their plans for the future are rooted in family, fortitude, and faith.
Interview: Sr Stephanie Henry, the new president of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by St Katharine Drexel, have elected an African-American president for the second time in history. She spoke with BCM on their mission in the modern world.
Xavier University of Louisiana named #5 HBCU in America
The nation's Catholic HBCU drops two spots in new rankings from U.S. News & World Report, but remains in the top 5 alongside high regional rankings.