The National Black Catholic Congress
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) is an advocacy organization that offers African American Roman Catholics an opportunity to speak for themselves on the issues of evangelization, spirituality, education, and the plight of all African Americans. The Congress serves to motivate and inspire its members to share the Gospel message with members of the Black community, and develop a Black Catholic agenda.
Objectives of the National Black Catholic Congress
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To enable African American Catholics to develop practical methods of evangelization within the context of the social and economic conditions of African Americans.
- To strengthen the faith of African American Catholics so that ongoing catechesis will enable them to live out effectively their baptismal call to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- To provide mutual support and cooperation among the leadership of Black Catholics as they plan and develop means of evangelization.
- To articulate the needs and aspirations of African American Catholics and the African American community at large as they seek to carry out the task of evangelization of self and of contemporary African American culture.
- To devise appropriate strategies for the implementation of programs and policies designed to accomplish the task of evangelization.
Congress Structure
NBCC National Headquarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The administration consists of an Executive Director and support staff.
The Congress is composed of thirteen (13) regions across the nation. Region IX comprises the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Each (arch)/diocese was invited to establish an Implementation Team to support the work of the Congress.
Each Region has a regional coordinator who acts as liaison to national headquarters.
National Scope and Operation
The Congress sponsors a national gathering of all participating (arch)/dioceses once every five years. The Board of Trustees determines the locale of the national gathering. During the national gathering, the assembled delegates focus on Congress goals and objectives as determined by the delegates and the National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan.
At the present time, the resources and energy of the Congress are focused on the eight “Principles”, which articulate the direction set for the next five years and beyond. These “principles” are:
- Catholic Education
- Parish Life
- Racism
- Social Justice
- Spirituality
- Youth and Young Adults
- Africa
- HIV/AIDS
Budget, Funding Sources, and Sponsoring Organizations
The National Office is funded by registration fees from those participating in National Black Catholic Congress programs and by grants from the Black and Native American Mission Office and the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Local Implementation Teams are funded by the respective (arch)/dioceses.
National Black Catholic Congress Mission Statement
We, The National Black Catholic Congress, comprised of member organizations, represent African American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. We commit ourselves to establishing an agenda for the evangelization of African Americans; and to improve the spiritual, mental, and physical conditions of African Americans, thereby committing ourselves to the freedom and growth of African Americans as full participants in church and society. Aware of the challenges, we are committed to evangelize ourselves, our Church and un-churched African Americans, thereby enriching the Church. We hold ourselves accountable to our baptismal commitment to witness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Omaha Archdiocesan Implementation Team
The local Implementation Team consists of 16 members. Deacon Ernest Spicer is the chairperson.
The Team holds regular monthly meetings and pursues local goals and objectives in support of the national agenda of NBCC.
(August 8, 2007)
