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.

It is filled with information and links to upcoming March 5-6th BLACK CATHOLIC HERITAGE GATHERING EVENTS: (Still Time to Register!!)

Including:

• Information and registration link for our March 5th  First Friday Coffee, Tea, Saints and Faith Table Talk  with special guests: Father Michael Okere, Judge Arthur McFarland and Sister Pamela Smith, SSCM. 

• Information and registration link for the March 6th Black Catholics Heritage Gathering;   A team of diocesan leaders representing our historical African American Parishes will lead discussions and share with participants their findings on best practices for evangelization during a changed world of COVID-19 and civil unrest.  Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone, Bishop of Charleston, will attend. 

And SO MUCH MORE! Including Special upcoming Vietnamese Ministry and Native American Ministry Events.