African American Affairs Ministry

The African American Affairs Ministry celebrates the diversity and promotes the contributions of Black Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte. Through evangelization and education, the African American Affairs Ministry is committed to building a faith community that is authentically Black and Catholic.  Click here for more information on the African American Affairs Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte.

The African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte was born May 17^th 1985 from a group of ten individuals calling themselves the committee for concerned Black Catholics. The committee met to discuss issues and concerns they felt were particular to Black Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte. Out of the meeting emerged a resounding need to give visibility to the work of Black Catholics in the diocese and to educate various diocesan groups to the contributions of Black Catholics in the various parishes.

In July 1985, the ministry was officially begun as the Diocesan Committee on Black Catholic Ministry and Evangelization, and was a part of the diocesan Ministry for Justice and Peace. In August 1989 it became a separate office to address and serve the needs and concerns of Black Catholics within the Diocese of Charlotte. The ministry; renamed The African American Affairs Ministry is now one that is fully recognized by the diocese and supported by the Bishop. Its primary goal is to give visibility to the work, contributions, traditions and culture of Black Catholics to the Church and to society, and to propose adequate diocesan responses to racism and other social injustices.

Purpose

• Integrate Culture
• Fellowship of Black Catholics
• Engaging Youth to Learn about the Catholic Faith
• Teaching about the Black Catholic Faith
• Evangelize ourselves – Educate Us
• Promote greater understanding of our culture and lifestyle
• Agents for change and for justice for our people
• Proactive and Preparing people for future opportunities and needs
• Help/Provide tools to enable us to do for ourselves and our brother/sisters

*The terminology “Black Catholics” is used here to include all Roman Catholics of African descent, and Africans who reside in the United States.