Final Thursday’s occasion, titled “Reflecting on the Significance of the Institute for Black Catholic Research and the Journey Towards Reconciliation,” included a dialogue amongst leaders from Xavier’s IBCS, the Descendants Fact & Reconciliation Basis, and Georgetown College. It additionally showcased an exhibition co-created by the Georgetown College Library, highlighting the influence of the IBCS—a graduate program devoted to fostering Black Catholic theology, ministry, and management.
Based in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier College of Louisiana stays the one traditionally Black Catholic college in america. The Georgetown occasion not solely honored Xavier’s continued contributions but in addition mirrored on the position of Black Catholic scholarship in shaping religion and social justice initiatives.
Dr. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, director of IBCS, acknowledged the deep collaboration between Xavier and Georgetown.
Reflecting on her journey, Bellow shared how she initially hesitated to attend the IBCS in 1989 however was remodeled by the expertise.
“I instantly appreciated that I was on holy floor,” mentioned Bellow. “After my very firstclass, I knew I might full this system and attempt to come again each summer season after that. I wanted to be refreshed, challenged, and affirmed in my mission as a Black Catholic lady in church and society,” she mentioned. She mentioned that the Institute was created to type robust Catholics who can categorical and clarify their religion in ways in which resonate with their communities.
IBCS affords two tracks: a graduate theology program for future church leaders and a unbroken schooling observe for lay folks searching for deeper religion formation. The program takes a well-rounded method by together with difficult coursework, mixed with cultural experiences, prayer, and alternatives to construct robust communities.
“We research collectively, we pray collectively, we have now African dance and drumming within the evenings,” Bellow mentioned. “We’re Black and Catholic Sunday by means of Saturday, and our mission is to share the present of Blackness within the lifetime of the Church.”
The legacy of resistance, persistence, and transcendence was additionally central to the occasion’s dialogue, a theme launched by Father Joseph Brown, S.J., a number one scholar and former head of IBCS.
Monique Trusclair Maddox, CEO of the Descendants Fact & Reconciliation Basis mentioned her household’s historical past of enslavement by the Jesuit order and the influence of studying about Georgetown College’s position within the sale of enslaved individuals to avoid wasting the establishment.
In 1838, Georgetown University, facing financial hardship, approved the sale of 272 enslaved men, women, and children to plantations in Louisiana to secure its financial future. The sale introduced in about $115,000, which might be price tens of millions in the present day, and helped repay the college’s money owed. The choice not solely tore aside households but in addition bolstered the systemic exploitation of Black folks for institutional survival.
For years, the story remained buried till 2004, when Patricia Bayonne-Johnson uncovered it whereas tracing her household historical past. Since then, researchers together with the Jesuits, have labored to hint the lineage of these enslaved by the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Church. Their efforts have recognized over 10,000 descendants, a quantity that continues to develop.
Trusclair Maddox detailed her non secular journey, together with prayers for peace and understanding, and the institution of the Descendants Fact and Reconciliation Basis. The inspiration, supported by JP Morgan Chase, has issued over $166,000 in scholarships and launched packages for house modifications and racial therapeutic. Maddox emphasised the necessity for systemic change and known as for broader consciousness and participation in restorative justice efforts.
“We knew that reconciliation required greater than an acknowledgment, however demanded motion,” Trusclair Maddox mentioned. “Restorative justice isn’t simply concerning the previous, it’s about what we do in the present day to form a extra simply future,” she added, and known as on establishments and people to interact in significant change towards racial therapeutic.
As a part of an effort to help the Descendants Fact & Reconciliation Basis, Maddox highlighted a collection of grassroots initiatives to boost consciousness by means of media and advertising and marketing. He additionally introduced the Jesuit order’s dedication of $100 million over the primary 5 years to fund the inspiration’s operations.
“Now that we have now operational {dollars} and we’re beginning to give our grants to not simply descendants, but in addition into transformation packages and truth-telling, we’ll proceed to construct our packages,” Trusclair Maddox mentioned.
Dr. Joseph Ferrara, senior vice chairman and chief of employees at Georgetown College, mentioned that he’s excited concerning the faculty’s continued partnership with Xavier College.
“We’re grateful for this chance to have a good time alongside Xavier and to acknowledge their significance to Catholic larger schooling,” Ferrara mentioned. “We now have a chance to replicate on the legacy at Xavier and the method towards reconciliation. Georgetown may be very blissful to be a a part of the method, and that’s a journey we’re nonetheless on.”
