On May 16, 1986, a group of concerned persons decided to ask the Black Catholic Community about the issues and concerns facing individuals and the community. This was the third time in Archdiocesan history that a broad representation of Black Catholics made the deliberate effort to come together to strategize ministerial outcomes for themselves. The first was in 1887 when a group of dedicated Black Catholics resolved to ask Archbishop Ireland for their own Parish, which ultimately became St. Peter Claver Church. The second was over a period of time 1938-42 when it was obvious the Parish ministry was necessary for both North Minneapolis, which ultimately became St. Martin dePorres Church, and South Minneapolis, which became St. Leonard of Port Maurice.
On June 30, 1988, Archbishop John Roach formally installed the Commission of Black Catholics. The Commission has functioned, since 1986 in an advisory role to the Archbishop on the spiritual and temporal matters relating to the pastoral and apostolic work that effects Black Catholics and members of the African Diaspora at large.
The membership of the Commission reflect the diversity of our experience in gender, age, lay/ordained, urban/suburban, racial ancestry, socio-economic status, emphasizing Parish leadership experience, promoting openness to the needs of all the members of the Black Catholic community.
Executive Committee of the Commission of Black Catholics
The Commission of Black Catholics has developed
a five year pastoral plan (2002 - 2007), approved by Archbishop
Flynn,
which consists of ministerial elements that are consistent with
the overarching pastoral plan of the National Black Catholic
Congress. The Executive committee structure oversees the
implementation of the action plan .
The Parish is the most stable and powerful force for change. We
work in collaboration with our Parishes, with other Ministries
serving peoples of color, and with Archdiocesan Agencies to
fulfill the spirit and witness of the pastoral plan.
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Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
226 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 291-4400
communications@archspm.org