Timeline Stories

^{Photo courtesy of Vatican Media}

Pope Francis names Wilton Gregory cardinal, elevating him as the first African American to serve in that capacity.

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Fr. Augustus Tolton is declared Venerable by Pope Francis.

During the November 2018 General Assembly, the U.S. Bishops approve Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.

During the November 2018 General Assembly, the Bishops also approve Sr. Thea Bowman’s cause for canonization, after she is declared a Servant of God in June 2018.

^{Photo from the NBCC Archives}

The Twelfth National Black Catholic Congress gathering is held from July 6-9, in Orlando, Florida. A Pastoral Plan Committee, working together over the course of the Congress gathering, identified seven topics that they believed were critical for Black Catholics to address over the next five years. The Pastoral Plan was issued, along with an implementation guide, to provide ideas and inspiration to parishes for action on these important topics.

The cause for canonization of Julia Greeley is officially opened by Archbishop Samuel Aquila.