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In 2002, the African American Ministry Office released a report on the status of African American ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Recommendations from the report combined with a broad strategy addressed at the National Black Catholic Congress IX will move the ministry of Black Catholics in this diocese in a new direction.
Thirty people representing ten parishes from this archdiocese attended the National Black Catholic Congress IX, August 29 - September 1, 2002 in Chicago. The theme for Congress IX was "Black Catholic Leadership in the 21st Century: Solidarity in Action." The Congress adopted a five-year pastoral plan and vision for our Church.
There are approximately 30 million African Americans in the United States, of that number, 2-4 million are Catholic, a population with diverse needs. Objectives of the National Black Catholic Congress IX included: bringing together African American and other Catholic leaders to be inspired and motivated to minister within the context of social and economic conditions of African Americans.
Over 3,000 Black Catholics gathered for the event, representing over 180 dioceses in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Participants were actively involved in a process to determine our future as a Catholic people as we claim our heritage as people of African decent and our spiritual claim as members of the universal Catholic Church. Strategies were brainstormed to support development of resources, programs or services in the following areas: spirituality, social justice, parish life, racism, youth and young adults, Africa, Catholic education, HIV/AIDS.
The Milwaukee delegation has committed themselves to working towards a new paradigm for freedom and growth of African Americans as full participants in the Church in southeastern Wisconsin and society, as directed by a shared vision with the National Black Catholic Congress.
Schauneille Allen, director of the African American Ministry Office. For information contact 414-769-3411 or allens@archmil.org.
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