Honoring Faith, Culture and Legacy
The Office of Black Catholic Ministry shares the unique gifts of Black Catholic spirituality and hospitality, as well as promotes programs and initiatives specific to the Black and African experience through the lens of our Catholic tradition.
We honor the rich legacy of Black Catholic culture – from the witness of saints like St. Josephine Bakhita and Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, to the vibrant traditions of worship, music and community that continue to shape the Catholic Church.
Read on to learn more about:
- Black, African and Caribbean Catholic Communities
- Pan African Catholic Organization of Atlanta (PACOA)
- Tolton Ambassadors-Atlanta
- Racism and Intercultural Competency Resources
Together, we are building a church that reflects the beauty and dignity of every person.
Upcoming Events
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Black, African and Caribbean Catholic Communities
Black, African and Caribbean Catholic Communities in the Archdiocese of Atlanta List
February 19, 2026
Pan African Catholic Organization of Atlanta
Founded in 2010, the Pan African Catholic Organization of Atlanta (PACOA) serves as a representative voice and provides pastoral support to local African Catholic communities.
For more information and to get involved, contact:
Fr. Henry is also pastor of St. Lawrence Church in Lawrenceville.
Tolton Ambassadors-Atlanta
The Tolton Ambassadors-Atlanta is our local commitment to prayer and education in promoting the canonization cause of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, the first recognized African American Catholic priest ordained in the United States.
This local effort extends from the Tolton Guild of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which is the home diocese for the cause of canonization.
For more information on Tolton Ambassadors-Atlanta, contact Ms. Louella Dubose by email.
Racism and Intercultural Competency Resources
In the pastoral letter, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” the U.S. Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stated that “Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39).”
Explore the resources below to deepen your understanding of intercultural awareness and how to actively oppose racism in all its forms.
- “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” the USCCB’s Pastoral Letter Against Racism
- Open Wide Our Hearts Study Guide from the USCCB
- “The Art of Accompaniment: Theological, Spiritual and Practical Elements of Building a More Relational Church,” a resource from the Catholic Apostolate Center
- Nonviolence365 Education and Training from The King Center, Atlanta
