Last month, the Oblate School of Theology Sankofa Institute for Black Ministry and the Redemptorists in San Antonio hosted a gathering on African-American Pastoral Leadership to help share perspectives on Black Catholic ministry.

Sr. Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND welcomed participants and introduced the presenters. Deacon Lawrence Houston led the group in an opening prayer, and Shareena Grant introduced the Sankofa Institute. Presenters included our own Fr. Maurice Nutt and Fr. Peter Hill of the Baltimore Province, Sr. Vicki Chambers, SSND, Sr. Limétèze Pierre-Gilles, SSND, Sr. Sandra Helton, SSND and Fr. Kevin Fausz.

The presenters shared their own unique experiences and resources on Black Catholicism. They called on participants to examine their own perspectives and see how their individual backgrounds shaped who they are and how they conduct ministry. It was noted that the better we know ourselves, the better we see the humanity in others, enabling us to build bridges and overcome challenges in our ministry.

The speakers emphasized that Black Catholics don’t need ordinary pastoral care, they need urgent care. They stressed that learning to minister to people, especially Black Catholics, takes time and a willingness to learn. The Sankofa Institute’s event helped many students at Oblate School of Theology, many of whom are not from the United States, learn more about what it means to be Catholic in America: how our faith takes shape in many different ways, and how ministry to a people means getting to know them on their terms, speaking their language, and most importantly, listening to them.