The History of the Office for Black Catholics
From Summoned by the Holy Spirit – A Call to New Life
Black Catholic Convocation Proceedings Book

In 1981 a group of leaders began meeting at St. Elizabeth’s to be a proactive voice in addressing those issues facing the future of the Catholic Church in the African-American community. It was a time for empowerment and ownership to become a reality. At that time there were approximately 65 predominantly black churches in the Archdiocese. Today that number is around 43.

In 1982 Cardinal Cody’s administration came under severe criticism for closing inner city schools and consolidating black parishes. The leadership in the community, both clergy and laity believed that it was now time for the Archdiocese of Chicago to do two things. First, to name an African-American Auxiliary Bishop, and second to establish an Office for Black Catholics. A representative group met with then Archbishop Bernardin in the fall of 1982 shortly after he became the 7th Archbishop of Chicago, to present a platform of issues. First – closing and consolidation of parishes in the black community needed to be discussed. The naming of black priests as pastors was urgent for our community. Commitment to Catholic education in the inner city; the need for evangelization and growth rather than dying; vocations to priesthood; the establishment for an office for Black Catholics and the naming of a black bishop.

And in 1983 Wilton Gregory was named the first African-American Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Chicago. And in 1985 Bishop Gregory commissioned a committee to establish the Office for Black Catholic Ministries and hired the first executive director, Ms. Cynthia Norris of Baltimore, she was succeeded by Ms. Maudette Carr. Ms. Sheila Adams headed the office from 1990 to 2009. The current director is Ms. Mary Norfleet-Johnson.