Virginia flags lowered to honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax, dentist killed in murder-suicide
The 49-year-old Catholic had initiated divorce proceedings before being shot and killed by her husband, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in April.
Obituary
Fr David Andrew Fisher, African-American Maronite academic, dead at 67
The longtime academic, writer, and seminary professor was educated in Rome and transferred to the historic Eastern Catholic church in the 1990s.
Fr William Cross, second Black Catholic priest in Cincinnati, dead at 79
A longtime educator in Catholic schools, he was the first Black pastor in the archdiocese, having been ordained in 1974 after his conversion.
Fr Bill Norvel, SSJ, first African-American male superior general, dead at 90
The Mississippi-born priest combated racism, spread Black Catholic liturgy, and served as the first Black male superior general in U.S. history.
Betty Reid Soskin, centenarian Black park ranger, laid to rest in California
The late Catholic-raised activist was a central figure in the creation of a national park honoring Black and female homefront service during WWII.
Norman C. Francis, first lay president at Xavier University of Louisiana, dead at 94
The former civil rights lawyer led the school for nearly 50 years, from the Civil Rights Movement through Hurricane Katrina and beyond.
Fr Victor Laroche, OP, 'beloved' chaplain at Xavier University of Louisiana, dead at 66
The Haitian-born priest and administrator had served in various chaplain roles since his ordination in 2002 and began service at XULA in 2022.
Carmen de Lavallade, pioneering Black dancer and choreographer, dead at 94
The Catholic-raised Creole was among the first Black prima ballerinas at the Metropolitan Opera and broke various barriers across her nearly seven-decade career.
Sr Jamie T. Phelps, leading light of the Black Catholic Movement, dead at 84
The 64-year member of the Adrian Dominicans was instrumental in numerous African-American Catholic organizations and was a noted scholar-teacher.
Veronica Downs-Dorsey, esteemed Black Catholic musician and educator, laid to rest in New Orleans
The internationally known pianist, singer, and educator died on the Feast of St. Martin de Porres after more than 55 years of ministry.
Setti Warren, first Black mayor elected in Massachusetts, laid to rest in Newton
The devout Black Catholic—a lifelong public servant, Navy veteran, and Harvard official—died suddenly earlier this month at 55 years old.
Michael Days, leading Black journalist and mentor in Philadelphia, dead at 72
The veteran media executive was the first Black top editor at the Philadelphia Daily News and was well-known for promoting media diversity.
Assata Shakur, famed Black revolutionary and erstwhile political prisoner, dead at 78
The African-American Catholic convert was convicted on trumped-up murder charges in 1977 following a N.J. shootout, before escaping prison to Cuba.
George Raveling, spark behind 1984 Jordan-Nike deal, dead at 88
The D.C.-born Black Catholic was the first Black head coach in the Pac-8 Conference and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Joseph McNeil, civil rights pioneer and member of the Greensboro Four, dead at 83
The Catholic-raised activist later served in the Air Force and was the recipient of numerous honors for his work in sparking the sit-in movement.
Charles Prejean Sr., activist and Black Catholic leader, laid to rest in Atlanta
The Louisiana native was a force in the cooperative movement and addressing Black land loss, before transitioning to chancery ministry in Atlanta.