November is the Catholic Church’s celebration of “Black Catholic History Month,” as described by the Archdiocese of Washington.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops likewise offers a webpage featuring Timely Ministry Resources for Black Catholics. The evangelization of the African continent extends back to the Apostolic Age, when in the epoch following Jesus’ Ascension and then Pentecost thereafter, Saint Philip the Apostle spread the Catholic faith as far away from Jerusalem as Ethiopia (see Acts 8:26-40).
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, following months of anticipation, the National Black Catholic Congress (“NBCC”) was able to launch its newly redesigned website, which features an updated and subsequently more modern layout, including a more visually appealing platform. In an e-mail sent to NBCC affiliates detailing the release of the website, NBCC Executive Director Valerie E.
Washington indicated that “Our goal with this new website is to provide our visitors an easier way to learn about the history of black Catholics in the United States and also to allow the visitor to find current information and resources impacting black Catholics. The new website is interactive, gives better access to About Us, Resources, Black Catholics, and features a prayer wall and an e-store with NBCC and Congress XII items for purchase. Our current and prospective constituents will find useful information about our organization on the homepage of our website, and there are separate pages for youths and young adult black Catholics.”
There are different sections within the website regarding charitable endeavors throughout the Church as they pertain to black Catholics. These include Care for the Elderly, Education, Family, Health, Human Dignity / Human Life, Social Justice, Spirituality, and Vocations.
There is also a Calendar of Upcoming Events, which includes information about occasions to participate in various initiatives within the Church, particularly in the United States. The faithful of all different backgrounds – of course, not just black – are encouraged to visit the NBCC’s website in order to learn more about the contributions of black Catholics, both during Black Catholic History Month and beyond.
