Grateful for Black Catholic pastoral plan’s process

Bishop Barry C. Knestout listens during the Office for Black Catholics' annual Spiritual Retreat at Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo/D. Hunter Reardon)

Our country’s celebration and observance of Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to highlight the gifts and contributions of Black Catholics to the Church universally and nationally, as well as throughout our diocese and parishes.

One of those gifts is the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC). An outcome of NBCC XIII in 2023 was the development of a pastoral plan of action titled “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive,” which was released a year ago this week. While developed by and for the Black Catholic community, the document provides a blueprint that the entire Church could emulate.

Its first step was to listen – listen to the voices of the people. This is what Pope Francis asks of us in his pursuit of synodality in the Church. Referencing St. Augustine, our Holy Father instructs us “to receive words not outwardly through the ears, but spiritually in our hearts” (World Day of Social Communications message, Jan. 24, 2022).

A compilation of what participants shared in surveys and at the congress is included in the pastoral plan. A major concern of the NBCC respondents is a challenge the entire Church faces: “Where are we going? What will our Church look like for our kids, our grandkids?”

With a commitment to action that involves a “growth mindset,” the plan asks the faithful: “How are you growing personally? Who are you mentoring in the next generation?” These are questions that can and should be asked in every parish.

The second step – 11 of the pastoral plan’s 44 pages – focuses on NBCC’s 135-year history by “stepping back to move forward.” During its 2023 congress, the NBCC highlighted the “Sacred Six” – Black Catholic men and women whose faith-filled lives have earned them consideration by the Church for sainthood, noting that “their memory and faith walk continue to inspire people of faith.”

They are Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, and Julia Greeley, each designated a “servant of God,” and Father Augustus Tolton, Pierre Toussaint, Henriette Delille and Mother Mary Lange, all of whom have been designated “venerable” by the Church. Those designations are the first two steps toward canonization.

In our diocese, an example of stepping back to move forward is the St. John Neumann Museum of Black Catholic History and Culture at Holy Rosary Parish, Richmond. It is a visible sign of respect for Black Catholic history and a resource that is an integral part of our diocese’s history.

In subsequent steps, the NBCC pastoral plan, noting how the prophet Habakkuk rebuilt his relationship with God, offers a three-part instruction: Rebuild and strengthen one’s relationship with God, rebuild and put forth a strong vision to address areas of struggle, and rebuild and make strong the community at large. Each part of this rebuilding process is intentionally explored through prayer, reading and reflecting upon Scripture and undertaking missionary activity.

I am grateful for what “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive” has planned. Its process of listening, respecting and connecting to history, strengthening relationships with God, praying and heeding God’s call to us are practices applicable to everyone and every parish.

Following the lead of the NBCC, let us begin by praying for a willingness to have what King Solomon asked of God – a heart that listens (1 Kgs 3:9).

 

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