A Powerful Discussion on Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church to be Presented

As part of 44 Days Honoring Black History, and in collaboration with the Cummins Institute, a panel discussion titled “The Voice of the Shepherd: A dialogue on Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church” is being held on Wed. March 3, 2021 at 1 p.m.

Featuring three national Catholic leaders, the panel discussion is being moderated by Saint Mary’s President, James Donahue, who originally proposed the topic. “Now is a pivotal time in our community, our nation, and the world for the Catholic Church to come together to engage in deep and pragmatic discussions around racism and social injustice,” said Donahue.

The esteemed panelists represent various levels of leadership in the Catholic Diocese: The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, Calif; Pam Harris, director of the Office of Ethnic Studies with the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio; and DeKarlos Blackmon, director of the Secretariat of Life, Charity, and Justice with the Diocese of Austin, Texas.

In a recent article penned for the Catholic Voice Newspaper, Bishop Barber expressed, “As the Catholic Church, we can’t just be observers. We need to listen and learn from the experience of the African American community—be willing to open our hearts—and maybe even feel uncomfortable.” He added, “If we stop to listen, we may be able to hear the cry of Black people in our country who feel their lives do not matter. Not historically. Not today.”

Harris brings to the panel a wealth of experience that includes serving with the Diocese of Richmond, VA as director of the Office for Black Catholics and Asian Ministry prior to her current position at the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. She also serves as president for the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators (NABCA), and has served on the National Advisory Council to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

A lifelong Catholic, Blackmon’s role at the Diocese of Austin, Texas includes serving as director of social concerns, Diocesan director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Diocesan director of Catholic Relief Services, coordinator of Black Ministry, and coordinator of Missions and Discipleship. He has also served as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Cultural Diversity for African American Affairs, and has taught at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.

“I am honored to serve as the moderator for this important panel discussion,” said Donahue. “It will be an afternoon of insightful, engaging, and thought-provoking dialogue.”

Student responses will be shared at the end of the conversation, followed by a question and answer session with the panelists. To attend, register here.

(The Bishop John S. Cummins Institute for Catholic Thought, Culture, and Action seeks to deepen appreciation among all constituents of the campus community for the beauty, wisdom, vitality, and diversity of the Catholic tradition).