This week in Christian history: first black Catholic bishop; Indian evangelist; England bans Christmas

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 02, 2019

First African-American Catholic Bishop consecrated – June 2, 1875

James Augustine Healy (1830-1900), the first African-American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when the first African-American bishop in the Roman Catholic Church, James Augustine Healy, was consecrated.

The son of an Irish immigrant and a slave, Healy was made a bishop at a ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.

“During his reign, Healy established numerous churches, schools, convents, and welfare institutions,” explained Britannica, who noted that the population of his New England-based diocese doubled under his leadership.

“On his 25th anniversary as bishop, he was named assistant to the papal throne, a position only one step below cardinal in the church hierarchy.”