Bishop Boxie addresses why the U.S. has so few Black Catholic bishops

Bishop Robert Boxie reflected on why the United States has so few Black Catholic bishops, citing “racism” as the short answer.

“I really enjoy the gift of a Black Catholicism, Black Catholic spirituality, and it certainly does have a place in the universal Church,” said Boxie, an auxiliary bishop of Washington.

Boxie is a former lawyer and graduate of Vanderbilt University and Harvard Law School. He is now the youngest bishop in the United States.

“The last time that an African American bishop had been ordained was 10 years prior. When I was appointed a couple of months ago, I became the second African American bishop in the entire United States,” Boxie explained in an interview with “Vatican Access,” a Catholic News Service podcast.

“We have a total of four active Black bishops, but there are only two African American bishops,” he said. “We need Black bishops in the United States … And I am OK with being a voice for the Black community that needs to be in the hierarchy of the Church.”

When asked why there are so few Black bishops, Boxie said: “The short answer is racism.”

“People may not want to hear that. People may not agree with that. But the short answer is…