History Black Catholics in Us

Cyprian Davis (a Benedictine monk and professor of church history, as well as an African-American himself) and has written a wonderfully informative and fascinating history of black Catholics in this country. He begins by surveying the "African Roots" of black Catholics (and points out that "African" did not necessarily mean "Black African," and that St. Augustine was not black), and covers earlier figures such as St. Martin de Poores. Davis's book is filled with fascinating details, covering subjects such as: * St. Augustine's in Florida, home to "the oldest Black Catholic community." * The foundation of religious orders of black sisters ("black religious women were present at the very beginning of the history of Catholic nuns in the United States"). * The first black priests in the U.S. were three brothers, who were born to an Irishman named Michael Morris Healy; one of them, James Augustine Healy---the first black Catholic bishop in the U.S.---"did (not) speak out on behalf of African-Americans." * The first black Catholic lay congress in 1889. * The establishment of "the only black Catholic institution of higher learning in the United States," Xavier University of Louisiana. Davis's book is not an apologetic for the deficiencies of the Catholic Church. He notes, for example, that although in 1839, Pope Gregory XVI condemned slavery, "the Catholic Church in the United States found itself incapable of taking any decisive action or enunciating clearly thought-out principles regarding slavery." He also points out that "The history of the Catholic Church's efforts to evangelize the black people of the United States in the period following the Civil War is not a very glorious one." He also notes sadly, "By and large Catholics, either black or white, were not in the forefront of the civil rights movement." Davis's book is essential reading for anyone interested in Catholic history, African-American history, or Black Religion in general.

This book explains the roots of the Catholic faith for African Americans. I experienced wide emotional swings while reading the book but ended in a higher spiritual place. I highly recommend.

Cyprian Davis, a Benedictine monk and a professor of church history, has penned an instant classic with his work "The History of Black Catholics in the United States." It is clearly a balanced book written without bias or rancor. Davis is also a precise scholar with a plethora of original resources at his beck and call. Additionally, he is an interesting writer, which, sad to say, is not always true of historians. If you are interested in Black Catholicism in America, particularly it's history, this is a wonderfully written, well document resource. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."