Nate Tinner-Williams

Ethiopian Orthodox Deacon Henok Elias is a clergyman, writer, educator, and podcaster who stakes his spiritual ground in one of Christianity's oldest churches—which happens to be in Africa.

He shares his journey on a new episode of the BCM podcast. buff.ly/3SmNlIg

Strong #2 finish for the Black Catholic, Bella Whittaker, in the 2025 national championships.

Happy Black Business Month and Black Philanthropy Month from Black Catholic Messenger!

Consider a tax-deductible gift to make a difference: www.blackcatholicmessenger.org/donate/

The intersection of the Catholic Church and slavery was widespread and has become increasingly well-studied, including in the United States.

Dan Gediman and Reckoning, Inc. are helping to bring the insights to the digital landscape—and to Black Americans. buff.ly/piXWJr9

Join BCM on August 23 for an exclusive webinar exploring how sacramental and other records can help your genealogical search, courtesy of Reckoning, Inc.

Register here: forms.gle/mSwrEdCkEyWk...

Tennessee State Rep. Vincent Dixie is vying for Republican Mark Green's former congressional seat in an already hotly contested special election.

Chris Gurley writes that the Black Catholic Democrat could make history in the GOP-gerrymandered district. buff.ly/144O2NT

"It has been noted that if Dixie wins his congressional race, he will be the first African-American House member from Tennessee who is not representing Memphis."

Christian support for Israel has often meant blindly excusing violence in the name of questionable theology, resulting in a blatant disregard for human dignity.

Douglas M. Stringer writes that we owe much more to Palestinians. buff.ly/U7FPOCc

Wild week and it just started. 😫

Mental illness involved in both cases, but I've now been the subject of the n-word (hard "r") in public two days in a row here in San Francisco... Feeling some type of way.

The One Big (not so) Beautiful Bill is now law, imperiling crucial government programs, ballooning the budget, and punishing the working class while propping up the already rich.

Dr. Ronald Smith writes that Catholics didn't do nearly enough to stop it. buff.ly/t6tQ5dN

Now that I've said my piece (tl;dr: Norman trash), I will admit that the actual "Mav City Gospel Choir" albums have hits. Lol

Also, the "Jireh" vamp will go down in history. ✍🏾

The Oblate Sisters of Providence will host their annual homecoming in August, gathering friends, associates, and former students in Baltimore for fellowship, worship, and remembrance.

The 196-year-old order is the nation's oldest for Black Catholics. buff.ly/OlAScWF

Founded by Venerable Mary Lange, the Oblates have served in parishes and schools around the country, and remain in service in Maryland, Florida, New York, and Costa Rica.

No idea the reason, but we are seeing Black Catholic propaganda on official government accounts.

Are we up?

Anyway, though gospel is apparently dead, Martha Munizzi has new music out and it is blessing me. 👀

Isaiah Martin, a Black Catholic Houstonian running for Congress, was arrested Thursday after confronting Republicans during a redistricting hearing at the State Capitol. He was released after more than 24 hours in detention.

Former U.S. Rep. William Lacy "Bill" Clay Sr., Missouri's first Black congressperson, has died at 94 after a period in hospice care.

The St. Louis Catholic lawmaker cofounded the Congressional Black Caucus and served for more than 30 years in Washington. buff.ly/5Pk4Ro3

Compared to a son of Ghanaian immigrants, African Americans have an entirely different history, experience, and understanding with music AND worship.

(Also I'm glad to finally learn exactly why Maverick sounds so White. Lol)

I feel like something being lost in the whole gospel music controversy this weekend is the diasporic element. Norman was very open about the fact that he is not African American, and I think that's really where the disconnect is. He's riding with Maverick in a lane that feels comfortable for him.

State Sen. Royce Duplessis is gaining in the polls for New Orleans' mayoral race, weeks after announcing a surprise campaign to succeed LaToya Cantrell.

The Black Catholic attorney faces a broad candidate field, including city council VP Helena Moreno. buff.ly/0DoDYUA

The 42-year-old lawmaker and attorney leads Moreno in a new poll from Newtral Groundz and GroundZereaux.com, with strong support from underserved wards in the majority-Black Crescent City.

An upcoming romance anthology comprises short stories set at historically Black colleges—including Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation's Catholic HBCU.

Black Catholic bestseller Farrah Rochon is among the contributors, led by editor Ebony LaDelle. buff.ly/u8mNFm7

The "Angel of Harmony" statue is back at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in Missouri, following a vandalism attack that left the sculpture crushed and toppled last fall.

Artist Wiktor Szostalo reinstalled his work in May after months of restoration. buff.ly/9w1jLwy

The National Black Catholic Men's Conference is set for Sept. 4-7 in New Orleans, where an ecumenical lineup of keynote speakers and workshop facilitators will seek to inspire faith and fellowship.

Registration is open now for the annual event. buff.ly/I2pg0V5

A Josephite priest and two Black Catholic politicians will serve as keynote speakers, alongside breakout presenters covering a range of topics, from spirituality and social justice to mental health and men's leadership.

Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns—the only African-American female delegate to the Synod on Synodality—will lead Boston College's annual celebration of the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, celebrating women's ministry and the legacy of the "apostle to the apostles". buff.ly/C2gZWfN

St. Katharine Drexel Prep in New Orleans has received a $50,000 gift from a Catholic couple who saw an urgent need to support one of the city's most historic Black schools.

The "transformational" gift from the Garibaldi family was announced in May. buff.ly/wH2G9dN

The 2025 graduation Mass of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies was held Friday evening at Xavier University of Louisiana, the culmination of the program's 46th year.

Retired professor Dr. M. Shawn Copeland served as the commencement speaker. buff.ly/qnocI8i

Transitional deacon Franck-Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday in Atlanta, the culmination of a journey that began while he was still in college.

The Togolese-born friar graduated from the Oblate School of Theology in May. buff.ly/Ain3i7L