Black Catholics urged to take on church leadership roles

Published: 2004-06-29

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (CNS) -- African-American Catholics were exhorted to take on leadership roles in the church during a statewide conference held June 18-20 in Miami Beach. More than 300 African-American Catholics from across Florida, along with about 50 children and teenagers, took part in "Gathering 2004, Siyahamba." Siyahamba means "we are marching." The event was sponsored by the Florida Conference of Offices of Black Catholic Ministry. This was only the second such gathering in the history of black Catholic ministry in Florida. It featured youth tracks for young people ages 3-7, 8-12, and 13 and older. Workshop topics included understanding Catholic Church structures; finances and stewardship; rights and responsibilities of the laity under canon law; accessing government grants under the faith-based initiatives umbrella; effective religious education of both adults and children; and Catholic teaching on social justice issues. "Leadership is a national priority," said Beverly Carroll, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for African-American Catholics. The goal of the conference is "to nurture and affirm African-American Catholics in leadership roles in the church," said Carroll, who led one of the workshops at the conference.

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