This is the first in our series of talks designed to teach about the history and culture of Africa and the Diaspora, starting with Haiti, and the impact of the current crisis at the US border on all marginalized groups, and the wider quest for economic justice for all.
At the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Washington, DC. This is the mother church of African American Catholics in the Washington DC area. Our historic parish traces its heritage to 1858 and the efforts of a group of dedicated emancipated Black Catholics. Faced with a society that was not yet willing to put off the last vestiges of slavery and a Church that, at best, tolerated the presence of Black people in its congregation, these men and women founded a Catholic school and chapel. Our St. Augustine’s School, under the leadership of remains a source of pride and empowerment for our community. The school is dedicated to teaching faith, character, and loving service to our neighbors near and far.
Our Africa and Diaspora ministry became active in 1977 and was officially established in the early 1980s under the leadership of Ernest C. Withers, Jr. Our mission in motion continues to prioritize advocacy in policies toward Africa, evangelizing to any unchurched Africans living in Washington, and incorporating all African parishioners fully into parish life. At the behest of our ministry, St. Augustine was a pivotal leader in liberation movements, particularly the 'Free South Africa' movement. It also provided a spiritual home to, among others, an African immigrant who became our Ministry Chair and later the first President of the National Association of African Catholics in the U.S. (NAACUS).
Today, our Church with the leadership of the A&D ministry strives to further support the work of NAACUS and ACA and other initiatives unifying Diasporans around the archdiocese by confronting and engaging the critical issues of our day to ensure our survival and the growth of the human family.
Lydia Curtis, Alex Williams & Albert Gyan (Co-Chairs)
Creating opportunities to explore and discuss key issues, unique cultural experiences, realities and recommendations for the Church’s engagement with the Youth and Young Adults. A process of dialogue and encounter focused on the Church’s ministry with youth and young adults that fosters understanding and trust within and across cultural families toward a more welcoming and just community of faith. [USCCB]
“Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that create huge inequalities.” — Pope Francis
Dinner with Bp. Jerome Feudjio
[Photo Album]
"Bishop Feudjio was invited to Maryland by the African Catholic Association of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, which worked with representatives from multiple African countries to plan a liturgy that reflected traditions of Cameroon and other nations."
Maryland church offers warm welcome to African-born bishop now leading Virgin Islands diocese
Catholic Standard - Wed. Sept 8, 2021
March 9, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters, These are very trying times. We are blessed to KNOW that our faith will see us through these times. “This too shall pass.” “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)May 3, 2020