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By Nate Tinner-Williams | Black Catholic Messenger

The late Fr Clarence Rivers, widely regarded as the father of Black Catholic liturgy, will soon receive a historical marker in his native Cincinnati, according to the local archdiocese’s Black Catholic ministry.

Dcn Royce Winters, head of the Office of African American Pastoral Ministries, announced the news on Dec. 1, roughly a year after first sharing that an application for the marker was accepted by a state historical commission.

By Jay Sorgi | CatholicPhilly.com

Dr. Toni Reaves of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia’s Office for Black Catholics is partnering with the Catholic lay group New Encounters: Catholics Confronting Racism to explore how Advent themes of hope, perseverance and faith parallel the journey of the Black community and all people.

They are hosting “From the Manger to the Movement: Advent and Christmas in the Black Catholic Soul,” a weekly Zoom series every Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. from now through Dec. 22. For more information and the weekly link to participate, click here.

In the face of the shameful prejudice of the Church in America, young Augustus dreams of becoming a Catholic priest. His dream seems hopeless, yet against all odds he perseveres. Finally ordained in Rome, he returns home to serve people of all races as America’s first Black priest.

By Agnes Aineah | CNA

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a UK-based human rights organization, has welcomed the release of 100 schoolchildren, who were among 303 children abducted on Nov. 21 from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri community in Nigeria’s Niger State served by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora.

In a press release shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, on Dec. 9, officials with the Christian group called on the Nigerian government to ensure that the children receive help after their trauma.