Black Catholics need to be “Authentically Black and Truly Catholic because it embraces their culture as Black Americans as well as following the teachings of the Catholic Church. This duality came under strong study in the late 1960s by a group of Black Catholic protesters who ignited a revolution in the U.S. Catholic Church. The efforts were to end the racial injustice in the American Catholic Church. Being ‘Authentically black’ involves practising African cultural values as real black in the community. Black Americans have been facing racial discrimination by white Americans in the American Catholic Church. Being ‘Authentically black’ helps express and dramatise Black Catholics’ faith in a way that reflects their culture’s beliefs and traditional values. It also enables black Americans to embrace their culture and protect their rights. Also, ‘Authentically black’ condemns social injustices that happen to black people in society, such as police brutality. Therefore, Black Catholics need to be ‘Authentically black’ so that they can embrace the cultural values and fight for their rights in the Catholic Church and the community as a whole.
Being ‘Truly Catholic’ involves following the instructions of the Catholic Church and frequently participating in the rites of the Church. A true Catholic is required to live a Christian life by praying daily, taking part in the ceremonies, observing the ethical rules, and receiving the education of the Catholic Church. This is because there is a mutual thread that connects all Catholics. Catholics belong to a Christ-centered faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation. Catholics follow Jesus’ visions of love, kindness, and peace. Black Catholics need to be ‘Truly Catholic’ for the welfare of society since the Catholic teachings explain the holiness and dignity of human life and state that a human being is the basis of an ethical vision for the community. Thus, Black Catholics need to be ” Authentically Black’ and ‘Truly Catholic’ to protect their rights and maintain peace and harmony in the Church as well as the community at large.