The Black Catholic Commission
Types of Activities
- Promotes evangelization and vocations
- Fosters special ministries
- Participates in the Social Justice issues related to the Black community
- Addresses the spiritual needs of Black Catholics through programming for evangelization
- Administers the Congress principles outlined in the pastoral plan
Committees
The Black Catholic Commission uses the Congress IX Pastoral Plan of Action, established by the National Black Catholic Congress, as a framework for addressing these eight principles: promoting vibrant expressions of spirituality and experiences of parish life; affirming the presence and contributions of youth and young adults in our Church; sustaining Catholic education in our communities; advocating for social justice; eradicating racism; strengthening bonds with Africa; and providing for a compassionate response to those who suffer from HIV and/or AIDS.
Commission members or anyone in the Black Catholic community have an opportunity to share their gifts on one the following committees:
- Parish Life/Spirituality
- Youth & Young Adults/Catholic Education
- Social justice/Racism
- Africa/HIV & AIDS
All are welcome to attend a meeting for the Commission or one of its committees. See the calendar of events for the dates of the Commission meeting and other events.
NEXT Commission Meeting: TBD
Please contact your local Black Catholic Commissioner or the Office for details at obc@richmonddiocese.org.
| COMMISSION MEMBERS | PARISH | COMMITTEE |
| Ms. Mary Harris, Chair | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Mary F. Monk, Vice-Chair | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Summer Davis, Secretary | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Young Adult |
| Ms. Aisha Jones-Hunter, Treasurer | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Young Adult |
| Mrs. Phyllis Booth | Saint Elizabeth, Richmond | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Mr. Charles Anderson | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Mr. Phillip Shearin | Immaculate Conception, Hampton | Young Adult |
| Mr. Christopher Brooks | Saint Paul, Richmond | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Mr. Joseph Brown | Saint Paul, Portsmouth | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Mr. David Johnson | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Mr. Vincent Kevin Jones | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Ms. Tonya LeSane | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Youth/Catholic Education |
| Ms. Roma Willis-Turner | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Mr. Frank McKinney | Church of the Holy Spirit | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Mr. Otis Ogden | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Carol Dufresne | Immaculate Conception, Hampton | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS | PARISH | |
| Msgr. Walter Barrett | Holy Rosary | |
| Fr. Theophile Brown | Mary, Mother of Church Benedictine Abbey, | |
| Fr. Ernest Bulinda | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception | |
| Fr. Silvio Kaberia | Good Shepherd, South Hill | |
| Fr. Columba Nnorom | Saint Peter the Apostle, Lake Gaston | |
| Fr. Mathias Lusembo | Saint Bridget | |
| Fr. John Kazibwe | Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Paschal Baylon | |
| Fr. Josesph Mary Lukyamuzi | Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey | |
| Fr. Peter Akpoqhiran | Saint Patrick and Tribunal | |
| Fr. Rene Castillo | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | |
| Fr. Alistair McKay | Saint Vincent de Paul | |
| Dcn. Calvin Bailey | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | |
| Dcn. Marshal Banks | Cathedral of The Sacred Heart | |
| Sr. Cora Marie Billings | Saint Elizabeth |
What is the National Black Catholic Congress?
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC), comprised of member organizations, represents African American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. They have committed themselves to establishing an agenda for the evangelization of African Americans; and to improve the spiritual, mental, and physical conditions of African Americans, thereby committing themselves to the freedom and growth of African Americans as full participants in church and society.
Official Scripture Passage of the NBCC
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
'Whom Shall I send? Who will go for us?'
'Here I am,' I said, 'Send Me!'
- Isaiah 6:8