Bishop Roy campbell Champions Black Catholics, Advocates for Justice Amidst Rising Polarization
Despite submitting his resignation three years ago, Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr., the most senior African-American Catholic active prelate in the nation, continues to serve, driven by a profound sense of purpose: speaking truth, remembering the forgotten, adn advocating for Black Catholics. The 78-year-old bishop, serving in Washington as 2017, is currently the only mainland Black Catholic bishop outside of the Southern United States.
Bishop Campbell articulated his commitment during the fall plenary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore earlier this month, stating, “I serve provided that the Lord gives me strength to do so.” He believes his continued service, beyond the mandated retirement age of 75, is divinely ordained. “I have to believe that if my resignation hasn’t been accepted, it’s because there is something [God] wants me to do, and if I’m open, I’ll hear and be able to work that way.”
Born during the height of segregation in the Washington area, Bishop Campbell experienced firsthand the racial divisions of the time. He recalled traveling across the District to attend a historically Black Catholic church, a practice he later understood stemmed from the segregation of the era.
A month after the current Administration got in, Undeterred, Bishop Campbell has reaffirmed the need to recognize the inherent diversity within God’s creation and the church. He eloquently articulated this belief, stating, “God is diversity. He is equity, you know? Three divine persons.That’s diversity. but so united in unison, their distinct personalities, they’re one God. Equity: They are equal in majesty. Always have been, always will be. And inclusion, that three is one. And that is the way he created us, in his image and likeness.”
Beyond his local ministry, Bishop Campbell actively engages in national advocacy. He recently joined an interfaith letter opposing a Republican budget reconciliation bill, dubbed the “Big Stunning Bill,” citing its detrimental impact on migrants, welfare programs, and the environment.
Bishop Campbell’s leadership extends to the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC), where he has served as president since 2019. The NBCC, a nonprofit association, convenes a national conference every five years and publishes a pastoral plan to guide Black Catholic ministry across the country. The last gathering took place in 2023, following a one-year pandemic-related delay, and the next is scheduled for 2028. The NBCC board, comprised of appointed and elected leaders from national Black Catholic organizations, is currently determining the event’s location.
The NBCC is also prioritizing support for pastoral planning among Black Catholics, recognizing the evolving social, economic, and ecclesial landscape. “We’re trying to see how we can help those who attended before, in pastoral planning,” Bishop Campbell said. “I think that’s vital for Black Catholics, that they have a way of planning the future, to thrive in their churches, in their neighborhoods, in their parishes.” The organization plans to supplement thes efforts with online events and webinars, mirroring the successful series hosted before the 2023 national gathering in Maryland.
The historical presence of at least one Black Catholic among the auxiliary bishops in Washington, dating back to the mid-1970s, underscores the enduring commitment to inclusivity within the archdiocese. Bishop Campbell’s continued ministry, especially in the face of current political uncertainties, remains firmly rooted in justice.
“Sometimes we have to honestly look at ourselves and say, ‘What do I have to do to change?’ and ‘What do I have to do to speak the truth and live that truth?'” Bishop Campbell concluded. “that’s what each of us is called to do. And when we do that, we can have peace, because we’ll have justice, because we’ll see each other as equal to ourselves.”
Here is the Tweet from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
