Demographics

• There are 3 million African American Catholics in the United States.

• Of Roman Catholic parishes in the United States, 798 are considered to be predominantly African American. Most of those continue to be on the East Coast and in the South. Further west of the Mississippi, African American Catholics are more likely to be immersed in multicultural parishes as opposed to predominantly African American parishes.

• At present there are 16 living African American bishops, of whom 10 remain active.

• Currently, six U.S. dioceses are headed by African American bishops.

• There are 250 African American priests in the United States and 75 men of African descent in seminary formation for the priesthood.

• There are about 400 African American religious sisters and 50 religious brothers.

• The Black population in the United States is estimated to be just over 36 million people (13% of the total U.S. population).

• By the year 2050, the Black population is expected to almost double its present size to 62 million, and it will increase its percentage of the population to 16%.

Source: www.uspapalvisit.org/backgrounders/african_american.htm