Free Republic

Did you know that November is Black Catholic History Month?This month, we’re honoring the men and women from Africa who have pioneered the faith! Many forget that Christianity didn’t start in Europe. Black Catholics have had a huge impact on the history and traditions of Christianity. The church has been celebrating Black Catholic History Month since 1990 when the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States instigated it. November seemed appropriate because it holds special days for two prominent African Catholics: St. Augustine whose birthday is on November 13, and St. Martin de Porres whose feast day...

Michael Steele / Photo Credit: Rockville Central Washington DC, Jan 30, 2009 / 07:29 pm (CNA).- The Republican National Committee has chosen Michael Steele, a devout Catholic who is well-known for his charisma and strong work ethic, as its new chairman.Steele, who previously served as the lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the first black chairman of the Republican Party. He was selected after six rounds of voting with 91 votes out of a possible 168. Steele beat out Ken Blackwell, Ohio's former secretary of state, and Saul Anuzis, Michigan GOP chairman, to win the chairmanship. Some Republicans questioned Steele's conservative...

Silent No More: A Major Crisis in the African-American CommunityBy Rev. John J. Raphael, SSJRoman Catholic ChaplainHoward University, Washington, DC Do you know what the leading cause of death in the African American Community since 1973 is? Think about it for a minute. Is it heart disease-2,266,789 deaths since 1973, cancer-1,638,350, or accidents-370,723? Is it AIDS-203,695, or violent crimes-306, 313? There is one possibility that is often overlooked. It happens 1452 times a day in our community. It has taken over 13 million Black lives within the last 30 years. It has taken 1/3 of our present population. What...

Rev. Al Sharpton's speech at St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago on Sunday, Feb. 9, attracted a standing-room-only crowd of 1,200 people, as well as sharp condemnation and protests from pro-life and Catholic leaders and groups because of Sharpton's pro-abortion views. Sharpton was invited to speak by Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of the predominantly African-American congregation, as part of its Black History Month Celebration. During the week before Sharpton's appearance, area Catholics flooded Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, with angry calls and e-mails demanding that he cancel the invitation. Late Friday afternoon, the cardinal issued a press release indicating...

New Fall SeriesAll shows start in September MOTHER OF THE REDEEMER - Fr. Mitch Pacwa discusses Pope John Paul II's Encyclical "Redemptoris Mater," while visiting related sites in the Holy Land.  Airs Wednesdays at 2:30PM, Thursdays at 11:30PM, & Saturdays at 5:30AM.THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD THROUGH THE AGES - Join Fr. Charles Connor as he gives a deeper insight into the scriptural, theological, historical and spiritual richness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  Airs Tuesdays at 11:30PM, Wednesdays at 5PM, & Fridays at 5AM.ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS AND THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH - Join Fr. C. John McCloskey III, Director of the Catholic Information Center...