The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus
Purpose
The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) serves as a fraternity for Black Catholic Clergy and Religious to support the spiritual, theological, educational, and ministerial growth of its members. It is a vehicle to bring the contributions of the Black Community to fruition within the Catholic Church. It wages an attack on the institutional racism within the Catholic Church and on the support of the Church of White racism overall in the American Society. (from the Constitution of the National Black CatholicClergy Caucus, Article II)
The leadership of the NBCCC invites Black Clergy to devote more time, energy and talent to the missionary work of evangelization in the Black Community. As Black leaders, we are in a unique, pastoral role to speak to the the current issues that affect the life, culture and traditions of Black people throughout the country. By virtue of our calling, we must fearlessly take a prophetic stance and speak out against the major obstacle to the work of evangelization: the evil of racism. We must be willing to stand together and speak with one voice: that the sin of racism must be named and confronted by the whole Church. Our resources must be used to create a just, non-violent society that recognizes, accepts and affirms the diverse gifts, talents and contributions of our sisters and brothers.
The Work of Evangelization and the Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus offer members an opportunity to further the missionary work of evangelization in the Black Community. Through the various ministries in which members of the Caucus are involved, the work of evangelization can be carried out in an effective way. Within the Caucus, greater effort must be made on the part of each member; first, to be more proactive and sincere in our outreach to our sisters and brothers in ministry who need our encouragement, love and support; and second, to become more involved in the work of the Standing Committees.
Standing Committees
and
Promising Practices of Evangelization and Outreach for the NBCCC
Spirituality: The Spirituality Committee challenges us to provide opportunities for deepening and developing spiritual life. Consider some of the following suggestions for implementation.
- Establish a local/regional support system for Black clergy. Reach out to those who are isolated, hurting, or struggling.
- Plan, promote and support a local/regional Day of Prayer for Black clergy. Reach out and invite Black clergy to come together to reflect, to pray, and to celebrate the call to serve one another.
- Plan, promote and support the Mission and Purpose of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life.
- Plan, promote and support the National Day of Prayer for the African American Family.
Theology: The Theology Committee challenges us to provide theological reflections on critical issues facing African American people today, from an African American Catholic perspective, with periodic updating for the NBCCC members. Consider some of the following suggestions for implementation.
- Plan, promote and support a local/regional workshop or seminar for Black clergy addressing such issues as: Black Leadership for the Third Millennium; Anti- Racism Strategies; Health and Wholeness for Effective Ministry; Collaborative Dialogue and Ministry in the Black Community.
- Plan, promote and support an Ecumenical Learning Experience with Black pastors and other Black leaders to share, discuss and respond to challenges and obstacles in pastoring in the Black Community.
- Write a theological, pastoral, spiritual, or educational reflection from a Black Catholic perspective on an issue affecting the Black Community.
Ministries: The Ministries Committee challenges us to structure occasions for reflection on the ministries we perform, bringing to the membership current information regarding their ministries, and, to the extent possible, assisting in our growth and development in this area. Consider some of the following suggestions for implementation.
- Plan, promote and support a community Forum on Anti-Racism, Bigotry and Prejudice; HIV/AIDS in the Black Community; Non-violence in the Black Community; Economic Revitalization in the Black Community; Evangelism in the Black Community.
- Promote and support the mission and purpose of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. Reach out to and invite a brother, deacon, priest, or religious to join the NBCCC. Plan a dinner for those who have been alienated from the NBCCC.
- Plan, promote and support the establishment of a local/regional chapter of B.U.S.T. (Black Unity and Spiritual Togetherness).
Africa: The Africa Committee challenges us to develop lines of communication with our sisters and brothers in Africa, and assist in developing support systems on their behalf in this country. Consider some of the following suggestions for implementation.
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text ©1998-2000 by Rev. Warren J. Savage