African American

The Subcommittee on African American Affairs is the official voice of the African American Catholic community. The subcommittee attends to the needs and aspirations of African American Catholics regarding issues of pastoral ministry, evangelization, social justice, worship, development of leaders and other areas of concern. The subcommittee also seeks to be a resource for the all Bishops and the entire Catholic Church in the United States. It aims to articulate the socio-cultural dimension of the African American Catholic community and identify or create resources that would allow for an authentic integration of the richness of African American Catholic culture and the Catholic Church in the United States.

Subcommittee Members

Welcome Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Chairman of the Subcommittee on African American Affairs!

A native of Louisiana, Bishop Fabre was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 1989.  He was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2007.  Bishop Fabre serves in the Archdiocese of New Orleans as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. 

Bishop's Christmas Message

My Dear Friends in Christ:

Many African American spirituals proclaim with great fervor the joy and hope that is ours in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem.  I pray that this joy and hope will fill our world, our nation, our communities, and our lives!  During the Christmas season and into the New Year, and indeed at all times, may we heed the call of Pope Benedict XVI to the New Evangelization and seek to bring the joy  and hope of Jesus Christ to all of those whom we meet!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre
Chairman, Subcommittee on African American Affairs

The Subcommittee Mandate

The subcommittee on African American Affairs is under the direction of and assists the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church by working collaboratively with the committee and other USCCB committees to affirm the gifts and contributions of African American Catholics and to provide more opportunities for African American Catholics to engage in the life of the Church and help shape its evangelizing mission.

This mandate includes the following areas of responsibility:
The subcommittee is directly responsible for outreach to the African American community and works closely with the subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees.