NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH

Catholic Bishops of Nigeria Catholic Bishops of Nigeria

The in Nigeria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, The Catholic Church in Nigeria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the , the curia in Rome, and the under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the curia in Rome, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. The president of the Bishops Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. The president of the Bishops Conference is Ignatius Kaigama (Archbishop of Jos). Conference is Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama (Archbishop of Jos). The Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches comprise the world's The Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches comprise the world's largest Christian Church, and its largest religious grouping. In 2005, there largest Christian Church, and its largest religious grouping. In 2005, there were an estimated 19 million baptized Catholics in Nigeria. were an estimated 19 million baptized Catholics in Nigeria. Nigeria, together with Congo Democratic Republic, boasts of the highest Nigeria, together with Congo Democratic Republic, boasts of the highest number of priests in Africa. The boom in vocation to the priesthood in number of priests in Africa. The boom in vocation to the priesthood in Nigeria is mainly in the eastern part (especially among the Igbo ethnic group) Nigeria is mainly in the eastern part (especially among the Igbo ethnic group) which accounts for over 70 percent of the country's Catholic population. which accounts for over 70 percent of the country's Catholic population. The second papal visit to the country in 1998 witnessed the beatification of The second papal visit to the country in 1998 witnessed the beatification of Blessed Iwene Tansi. Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi. Pope John Paul II proclaimed him blessed at Oba, Onitsha Archdiocese, a local Church established by the blessed at Oba, Onitsha Archdiocese, a local Church established by the apostle of eastern Nigerian, Bishop Shanahan, CSSp. apostle of eastern Nigerian, Bishop Joseph Shanahan, CSSp.

Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi , Priest and Monk Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi , Priest and Monk September 1903 – January 20, 1964 September 1903 – January 20, 1964 Born in Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria Born in Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria Died in Leicester, Died in Leicester, Beatified, March 22, 1998 by Pope John Paul II Beatified, March 22, 1998 by Pope John Paul II Feast Day January 20 Feast Day January 20

The patron of Nigeria are: Mary, Queen of Nigeria and The official patron saints of Nigeria are: Mary, Queen of Nigeria and Patrick of Ireland. of Ireland. November Black Catholic History Month November Black Catholic History Month History, Heritage and Truth History, Heritage and Truth

Daniel A. Rudd, Founder The First Black Catholic Congress, 1889 A. Rudd, Founder The First Black Catholic Congress, 1889 June 13, 2013 by Pat McNamara June 13, 2013 by Pat McNamara

THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC TRIBUNE, AND THE PLIGHT OF THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC TRIBUNE, AND THE PLIGHT OF BLACK CATHOLICS, 1884-1899. BLACK CATHOLICS, 1884-1899.

Held January 1st to 3rd in 1889 at St. Augustine's Hall in Held January 1st to 3rd in 1889 at St. Augustine's Parish Hall in Washington Washington

The Washington Bee, an important Black newspaper in the nation's The Washington Bee, an important Black newspaper in the nation's capital, did make the following comment in its issue of January 5th… capital, did make the following comment in its issue of January 5th… The Congress of Colored Catholics that met in this city during the past The Congress of Colored Catholics that met in this city during the past week demonstrated a degree of intelligence and ability. Our esteemed week demonstrated a degree of intelligence and ability. Our esteemed friend Mr. Rudd of the American Catholic Tribune was elected friend Mr. Rudd of the American Catholic Tribune was elected chairman and the ability he displayed in the management of the chairman and the ability he displayed in the management of the convention assured us that he deserved compliments. convention assured us that he deserved compliments. American Catholic Tribune in any Detroit Library American Catholic Tribune in any Detroit Library

The First Black Catholic Congress, 1889 The First Black Catholic Congress, 1889 COLORED CATHOLICS MEET A NOTABLE CONVENTION BEGUN— COLORED CATHOLICS MEET A NOTABLE CONVENTION BEGUN— CARDINAL GIBBONS PRESENT New York Times, January 2, 1889 CARDINAL GIBBONS PRESENT New York Times, January 2, 1889 For the full story go to: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mcnamarasblog/2013/06/the- For the full story go to: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mcnamarasblog/2013/06/the- first-black-catholic-congress-1889-2.html first-black-catholic-congress-1889-2.html