When you’re Black and Catholic, it’s easy to feel like an island when you’re among white Catholics. Someone might assume you’re Baptist, that you don’t know what to do at any given liturgy or simply ignore your presence at Mass or parish activities. 

But one trip to the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) offers plenty of reassurance that you are not “a unicorn,” as one Black Catholic friend put it, and that your charisms are valued.

Forty-seven Black Catholics from the Diocese of Columbus were among the 3,000 who celebrated their faith and one another at NBCC XIII, July 19-23 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center near Washington, D.C. Its theme was “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive,” based on Habakkuk 2:2-4.

The sheer number of Black Catholics gathered in one place made a deep impression on many.

Thai’Shann Fain of Columbus Holy Rosary and St. John Church said, “I was awestruck! I enjoyed it immensely.” 

For Tina Moody of Columbus St. Dominic Church, the experience was an affirmation. “I came away with a renewed sense of being a Catholic. I felt like everybody in that room looked like me and prayed like me, and I just felt love in that room. It was a beautiful experience. Acceptance is what I felt there.”

A group from the diocese attended the National Black Catholic Congress last month in Washington, D.C.  Photo courtesy Andrea Pannell

Devin Cousins, who attended along with his wife, Heather, kept notes on his experiences. He wrote, “We were free to praise the Lord with like-minded people that looked like us and share some of the same stories as us, and we were one in the spirit of our living God. The spiritual feeling of NBCC is one I’ll never forget.”

For Constance Ellis, who travelled from Oakland, California to join the Columbus group, “it was something I didn’t know I needed,” she said. “It was an experience. It was Kairos,” in other words, something that happens in God’s appointed time.

The National Black Catholic Congress was founded by journalist Daniel Rudd and fellow Black Catholic leaders, who felt the need to address bigotry within the Church and help Black Catholics thrive in spite of obstacles. 

The first gathering was held in Washington, D.C. in 1889. It died out after the fifth Congress in 1894 but was revived in 1987. Since then, Congresses have been held every five years, with NBCC XIII delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The congress is open to anyone and regularly draws Catholics of different races. But its main purpose, according to the NBCC website, is to “enrich the Church by evangelizing African Americans within and outside the Church” and to “enhance the physical and spiritual wellbeing of African Americans as full members of the Church and society.”

For Edie LeDay of St. Dominic, NBCC XIII succeeded. “I know that I am blessed to be a Black Catholic woman who by the grace of God was able to participate in one of the most amazing spiritual journeys of my lifetime. It renewed my soul.”

Latoscia Williams of Holy Rosary and St. John traveled with her sister Thai’Shann. She said she grew up Catholic and went to Catholic schools but was never taught about Black saints, for example.

She found it encouraging to see African Americans providing this kind of information at the congress. “It was us teaching those classes. It was us teaching about the saints! I knew there were a couple (of Black saints), but not as many as there are.”

Members of the group from the Diocese of Columbus listen to speakers at the National Black Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C. Photos courtesy Andrea Pannell

NBCC included daily morning prayer and opportunities for reconciliation, as well as Eucharistic liturgies for the entire group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

In between were workshops on various topics, from “5 Ways to Evangelize Using Parishioner Testimonies” presented by Father Steven Bell, CSP, who formerly served at the Columbus St. Thomas More Newman Center; “Synodality, Black Catholic Spirituality and the Racial Divide,” a session on the six Black Americans being considered for sainthood; and another about the African American inculturation  of Catholic sacred music by priest and composer Father Clarence Rivers, led by Emily Strand of Columbus.

The first and only African American cardinal, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington D.C., was the main celebrant and homilist at the opening Eucharistic liturgy on Friday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest church in North America. The historic weight of his position was not lost on congress participants, who greeted him like a rock star, even at Mass.

Juana Hostin of St. Dominic, who organized the trip along with her husband, Michael Hostin, called the experience spiritually uplifting. 

“The Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was moving,” she said, “from the seemingly mile-long processional of black clergy to the homily by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, to the splendor of the gold-inlaid mosaic tiles of Jesus and the saints surrounding us,” she said.

“My spirit was lifted a lot during that time,” said fellow parishioner Jeanne Braxton. “You feel close to the Eucharist because of everything that is going on. You’re overwhelmed by the amount of Black Catholics, the amount of Black priests, and seeing the non-Black priests come and help you celebrate, and they were supporting us. We don’t see that in Columbus.”

Several African American bishops served as celebrants and homilists at the other liturgies. And dozens of African American priests, brothers and sisters ministered to and spoke with congress attendees. Among them was Father Ramon Owera, pastor of both of Columbus’ predominantly Black parishes, St. Dominic and Holy Rosary and St. John.

“I immediately decided to attend as soon as I heard about it,” he said. “I didn’t think twice, just said I am going. Especially during praise in the morning, I just felt the unity of African American people there.” 

Father Ramon Owera, pastor of Columbus St. Dominic and Holy Rosary-St. John churches, distributes Holy Communion during a Mass at the National Black Catholic Congress. Photo courtesy Andrea Pannell

Father Owera, who is Filipino, said he felt right at home. “In the name of Jesus, people come together irrespective of race, color, language or culture. With Jesus everything is possible if we just open our minds and hearts to His love.”

Still, Latoscia Williams says she’s at a crossroads regarding the Church. For her and others, many issues remain, including the lack of teaching about the contributions of Black Catholics; the scarcity of African American priests amid a general drop in religious vocations; and why Church leaders too often do not actively address social issues that affect African Americans and other people of color. 

In addition, Williams is among those concerned about the closing of their parishes. Holy Rosary and St. John is one of 15 to be closed in the Columbus diocese.

“I want someone to relate to what’s going on in our community. I guarantee there are other preachers out here talking about that and on top of it for the community,” she said. “When you have a Black church it’s your job to get to know that community.”

Yet the congress can help fortify those dealing with these concerns. Williams’ sister, Thai’Shann, said NBCC XIII helped her faith. 

“It enriched and strengthened it, especially with the closing of Holy Rosary-St. John. This made me feel I can step out, and God is going to be there with me wherever I go. Church is a building; God is in me.”

Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune of Charleston, South Carolina dramatically lifted up the youth in attendance and the need to allow them to contribute. Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune wrapped a youth in an actual chain; it symbolized being captive or enslaved. He reminded the youth that no one can chain their minds or spirit. Then, to applause and cheers, he called for the young people who felt they might have a vocation to come forward and commit to that vocation; about a dozen did.

Michael Hostin, who’s been to the congress before, said he always appreciates the chance to interact with the leaders you meet there.

“They’ve been through the same walk we have,” he said. “Those bishops and priests and the cardinal know what it is to be Black. I’m sure they’ve had obstacles, but they’re able to provide that wisdom you can’t get from other people.”

Hostin, a former Boy Scout, was among those who took to heart retired Bishop John Ricard’s story about camping as a youth and learning the importance of keeping a fire going at all times. “Don’t let the fire go out on your watch,” Ricard said, urging conference attendees to keep the fire of their faith burning brightly at home.

Hostin said, “We are doing that fire watch; it’s our responsibility not to let that fire go out.”

After the congress, members of the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators (NABCA) also met in Washington, D.C. on July 24 and 25. 

NABCA was established in 1976 to support directors and administrators of diocesan Black Catholic Ministry Offices (BCM). It’s their job to help their dioceses meet the needs of local Black Catholics. They normally meet in September of each year but move the meeting to July whenever the National Black Catholic Congress is held.

Twenty-five members representing more than 20 dioceses and four affiliates attended this year’s gathering. The group discussed their concerns about dioceses across the country closing BCM offices, and official silence on issues important to the Black apostolate. Vocations, faith formation and evangelization initiatives that appeal to Black Catholics were among the priorities at this gathering.

Andrea Pannell of The Catholic Foundation represented Columbus in NABCA. She serves on its evangelization committee and helped create a forum for Black Catholic Professionals, which was announced at NBCC XIII. She said her work with NABCA is a gift from the Lord, and her faith and fervor are renewed each time they gather.

Charlene Brown is a longtime member of Columbus St. Dominic Church and traveled to NBCC XIII on the bus with the Columbus group. She is also a journalist and co-host of “Columbus Neighborhoods” on WOSU-TV.