Baltimore parishes plan letter-writing campaign to Pope Francis in support of African-American saints-to-be

[Matthew 10 42]

https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/black-saints-letter-writing-campaign/

 

"The letter also makes note of the fact that already 11 White North Americans—including several US citizens—have been canonized ahead of any Black American. All have occurred since 1930, and several other Americans have been beatified."

"The process is reaping unfair, uneven results, especially when you realize that the six Black saints have been waiting 714 years totally if you add up the times since each died,” the letter reads.

“It is time that Pope Francis does his part to bring more racial integration to the heavenly acknowledgment of sainthood we know of here on earth,” he wrote.

[Peace]

Yeah I don't see any evidence that these particular black Americans have been treated unfairly. It took Peter Faber 500 years to get canonized! The Lord will see that they are canonized as he sees fit, that's the way that I look at it. I feel the same way about Father McGivney. It's cool to advocate for folks that you believe should be canonized, but let's not start approaching the matter as if canonization is some kind of a right that is being unfairly denied.

[Hna.Caridad]

When people ask me why there are so few Black Catholics in the U.S., I respond by saying that I'm amazed that there are so many--especially considering the treatment that they've received within and even by the Church.  That there are no Black American saints is a lie.  There have been LOTS of Black American saints in our Church's history--unfortunately, they haven't been canonized (yet).  

Among others, Dr. Shannen Dee Williams has done some amazing research on the history of Black Catholics in the U.S.--specifically, on the experiences of Black Catholic Sisters and the outright discrimination that they've experienced and suffered from within the Church.  Many of these women were absolute saints!  Dr. Williams has a book coming out (hopefully, soon).  Watch for it:  "Subversive Habits:  Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle".

[Peace]

The book by Cyprian Davis is a go to source I think.

The thing is, I don't feel that I have been particularly discriminated against as a Catholic. I mean, it just comes with the territory of being a black person in America. Sure, there are Catholic Churches that have segregationist histories, there is racism in the Catholic Church, but that's pretty much been the case everywhere south of the Canadian border. It's not like the Catholic Church is unique in this regard.

Perhaps the other thing with me is that, I don't feel any particular need to be around white people, or even to worship with white people. To be frank if I never saw another white person a day in my life it would not bother me in the least. And that's not to say I don't like white people. I certainly do, have plenty of white friends, have dated white women, etc. But I don't NEED to be around them, or to have them validate my existence. I'm perfectly content to be around people who look like myself and who share my culture. So anybody who does not accept me because of my race - so be it. It's your loss. I'll just hang out with my own people, and other people who love me.

I suppose that's why when I see a letter like the one above, I tend to think - what's the point? Who are you trying to get approval from? Do you need white people to recognize your validity as a Catholic? Why isn't the fact that your own people recognize you enough? Why isn't the fact that God recognizes you enough?

Of course, I don't know that's what is going on in those folks minds. Perhaps their motivations lie elsewhere. Maybe they just want black Americans formally recognized for their achievements, so that they can have their son/daughter ask for the intercession of someone of the same race, or have black saints as role models for their children. If that is the motivation I can understand it, I think.

But a part of it does strike me as there being a need to have those people canonized as a sign that black Catholics are "accepted" within the Catholic Church, which they view as a white institution into which black Americans need to "integrate" themselves. I reject this entire framework.