Timeline Stories

^{Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons}

On December 17, 1997, Pope John Paul II declares Pierre Toussaint venerable.

^{Photo from NBCC Archives. One of the naves features a statue of Our Mother of Africa holding the infant, Jesus, while two of the four evangelists look on.}

The 8th National Black Catholic Congress gathering is held from August 28-31 in Baltimore, MD.
This Congress celebrates the opening of the “Our Mother of Africa Chapel,” located within the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

^{Bishop Joseph Francis, SVD, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, NJ (now deceased) gave the homily at the opening liturgy. Photo from the In A Word archives.}

The 7th National Black Catholic Congress gathering is held from July 9-12 in New Orleans, LA.
The Pastoral Plan resulting from this Congress provides comprehensive statements that address issues such as African American Family Life, the Sacramentality of Marriage, Children and Youth, among others.

^{Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons}

Mother Mary Lange’s cause for canonization was officially opened by William Cardinal Keeler, and she is proclaimed a Servant of God.

^{Image is a still from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) video, courtesy of the USCCB}

Sr. Thea Bowman, addresses the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 1989 from her wheelchair. In 1990, Sr. Thea Bowman passes into eternal life.