Catholics attend Mass Nov. 1 at Saint Bartholomew Church in Camden (Photo by Dave Hernandez 
Bishop George V. Murry 
Venerable Henriette Delille
November has been designated as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics in our nation. Here in the Camden Diocese we are rightly proud of our Black Catholic history.
In the 1940s, Saint Bartholomew Church in Camden was established as the first church in all of New Jersey to be designated as a personal parish for the African American community. Saint Bartholomew was founded by Camden’s first Bishop, Bartholomew Eustace, through the efforts of Black families and their friends at a time when Blacks were not well welcomed in many Catholic Churches.
Saint Bart’s was the home parish of Bishop George Murry, S.J., Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio, who died this past June.
Saint Monica’s in Atlantic City is another parish in the diocese with a proud Black Catholic history.
Now, thanks be to God, Catholics of African descent enrich all of our parishes. Of course, due to racism and prejudice present in our nation and in our church, life has not been easy for African American and African-born Catholics.
The theme of Black Catholic History Month is “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” It is by tremendous faith in our God who saves that Black Catholics have overcome obstacles, prejudice and exclusion, and have become pivotal players in American church history. In our country, men and women such as Venerable Augustus Tolton, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Venerable Henriette Delille and Servant of God Mother Mary Lang all overcame discrimination and hatred to live lives of service to God and the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church in the United States and the Church of Camden give thanks to God for the example of so many Black Catholics who have enriched our parishes and communities by their faith and works of mercy and justice. In this challenging year, I am confident that the Black Catholics of Southern New Jersey will continue to make our diocese and our region a better place.
Father Vincent G. Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden.
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