A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 2 of 19)
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 The challenge to promote
vocations in the Black Community. Our community needs
vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated religious life,
and lay ecclesial ministry (such as the ministries of pastoral associates,
directors of religious education, or youth ministers). Celebrating
the Sacraments requires ordained clergy. A strong Congress Movement
requires leadership rooted in our own experience (even as it welcomes
solidarity by clergy, religious, and laity of non-African descent).
Vocational discernment and training take several years, so we have
no time for indifference or delay. Because God often calls men and
women to ministry through family, mentors, and neighbors, Black Catholics
must be proactive in identifying candidates for vocational ministries,
helping them to discern whether God is calling them, and providing
encouragement and support to those who are called.
The challenge to sustain Catholic education
in the Black Community. Catholic schools have been a source of strength
and stability in our community. Education is an integral part of the
Catholic mission in a neighborhood, introducing many to the Catholic Church
and inspiring many to academic achievements that create promising futures
for individuals and their families. So the closure or merger of Catholic schools,
often in urban areas, is a grave concern. Indeed, at Congress IX, we declared
Catholic Education one of our eight Core Principles for action. After exhaustive
study, the NBCC's commission of national educational leaders has made recommendations
for tackling this challenge at the national level. Those recommendations are
summarized in the present document.
The challenge to assure that Black Catholics
are included in pastoral planning. Due mostly to budgetary concerns, a
number of diocesan Offices of Black Catholic Ministry are being merged into
offices for multicultural ministry. This is occurring, as well, at the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). We must discern prayerfully
the ways that this trend helps or hinders the work of Catholic evangelization in the
Black Community.
The challenge to incorporate immigrants of
African descent into the Black Catholic Movement. Our primary reference
point as a Congress Movement has been African Americans, yet today our
challenge is to act with consideration of the diverse cultural backgrounds
among Black Catholics in our pews. Immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean
enrich the Church in the United States. Among these are many members of the
clergy and the consecrated religious life, who bring their unique backgrounds
to pastoral leadership.
Standing on the shoulders of our ancestors,
the Congress Movement will meet these challenges. Let us explore new ways
of evangelization that build upon the successes of the past and present.
With hope in God, let us see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.
With God's grace, we will rise to the opportunities.
I thank you for your prayers, your creative
participation, and your time and energy. Together, we will continue to
promote the freedom and growth of people of African descent as full participants
in church and society.
Yours sincerely in the Lord,
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
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