THE INSTITUTE FOR  BLACK CATHOLIC STUDIES

The historical roots of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana are intertwined with those of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC), which was founded in 1968 and the Black Catholic Theological Symposium (BCTS) that convened for the first time October 12-15, 1978. The Symposium was organized under the auspices of the NBCCC and directed by the creative leadership of the Reverend Thaddeus Posey, OFM Cap. In planning this gathering, Father Posey worked in association with the Reverends Augustus Taylor and David Benz and consulted with the Reverend Dr. Joseph Nearon, SSS and Sister Jamie Phelps, OP. Their efforts brought together Black Catholic priests and vowed religious women and men who were trained as pastoral and intellectual leaders and critical thinkers in the various theological and ecclesial disciplines. This first assembly of the Symposium was held at the Baltimore Motherhouse of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first Catholic religious congregation of vowed Black women. Participants presented formal papers and responses that addressed some of the topics crucial to the development of a distinctively Black Catholic theological and pastoral response to the Black condition. These topics included values, self-concept, liturgy, catechesis, and spirituality. The papers from this meeting were edited under the direction of Father Posey and published as Theology: A Portrait in Black.

 

From Proposal to 'Pilot Program'

In the effort to sustain and support the pastoral theological reflection and work of Black Catholic pastors and educators, Father Posey, with the encouragement of other Symposium participants, presented a second proposal to the 1979 spring meeting of the Board of Directors of the NBCCC. This proposal called for the establishment of an educational institute with a curriculum organized around the pastoral and intellectual needs of Black Catholics and under their leadership and direction. Still, such an educational institute was not an altogether new idea. In 1969, soon after the founding of the NBCCC, Father Augustus Taylor, with genuine foresight, suggested the creation of a structured academic program through which to share Black Catholic viewpoints among ourselves and with the hierarchy, pastors, and religious women and men ministering in African American communities. Given its embryonic state, the NBCCC was unable to actualize this idea at the time. However, by 1979, with more than a decade of organizational and programmatic experience, the National Black Clergy Caucus was ready to entertain and oversee the implementation of such a plan. Furthermore, in the thinking of the NBCCC Board, Xavier University of Louisiana the only Black Catholic university not only in the United States, but also in the Western hemisphere – was the most likely academic site to accredit and to host the program. With the approval of the NBCCC, Father Posey met with Dr. Norman Francis, President of Xavier University in New Orleans, to explore hosting at Xavier an educational institute focused on the pastoral and theological needs of Black Catholics. Further, the NBCCC Board instructed Father Posey to form a consultant group for the project. Members of this group included the Reverends David Benz, Edward Branch, Sister Jamie Phelps, OP, and (the former Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister, Toinette M. Eugene).

Very quickly, plans got underway for a 'pilot program' for 1980. In order to give the proposal a broad base of support within the University and within the local Church, during the 1979-1980 academic year Dr. Francis and Father Posey scheduled a meeting with key administrators and faculty at Xavier University and with the Catholic bishops of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. At this meeting, at the request of Father Posey, Sister Phelps, who at the time was a doctoral candidate in systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, gave a presentation on the significance of such an educational program for the Church in its ministry to Black Catholics.

 

The Emergence of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies

The ‘pilot’ run of what is now known as the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) began in the summer of 1980. The inaugural faculty and their courses were: the Reverend Dr. Cyprian Davis, OSB, who taught "Church History," the Reverend Dr. Joseph Nearon, SSS, who taught "Black Approaches to Scripture," and (the former Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister) Toinette M. Eugene who taught "Black Approaches to Religious Education." Mr. Steve Wesley had been scheduled to teach "Catholic Education in the Black Community," but the Course was dropped. Father Posey served as Director of the Program. Sixteen (16) students registered for the first summer session. Classes were held in St. Joseph Residence Hall and in the office of Campus Ministry, which at the time was directed by the Reverend (now Bishop) Moses Anderson, SSE.
In February 1982, the Board of Trustees of Xavier University approved the curriculum design of the Master's Program in Pastoral Theology. This action empowered the Institute for Black Catholic Studies to initiate the Degree Program that would be accredited and awarded through the University's Graduate School. The faculty was expanded to include among others: Dr. Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, who offered courses in African American Literature and Preaching; the Reverend Bede Abram, OFM Conv., STL, who replaced Toinette Eugene as instructor of "Black Approaches to Theology," and Dr. Delores Harrall, SND de Namur, who taught "Catholic Education in the Black Community."
The first graduation of candidates for the Th.M. program was held in July 1984. The graduates were Sister Eva Marie Lumas, SSS, Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND, and Reverend James Voelker.