Black Catholic Messenger Puts Mass Cancellation in Context of Financial Woes

 

According to a November 18th article in Black Catholic Messenger, this Mass may have been a casualty of cost containing measures at the Chancery.  Administrative cuts resulted in the closure of the Office of Black Ministry.  The article goes on to summarize financial constraints and efforts to address them, including school closings, layoffs and the magnitude of restitution owed victims of abuse now that payment from insurer, Chubb, is in jeopardy.

The article also hints at racial prejudice recalling: 

"The cardinal, who is due to submit his age-mandated retirement request in February, has generated controversy concerning the OBM in recent years, including his response to its Black History Month Mass in 2021. 

The homilist, a Black Jesuit priest in Greg Chisholm—then the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Harlem—stirred the crowd with an explication of Black struggle and overcoming White racism, but was suddenly relieved of his pastoral duties less than six months later. It is believed that this was due to a negative reaction to his remarks from the chancery."

Still no conversation-stopper from spokesmodel Joseph Zwilling.

Read all about it in Black Catholic Messenger : Archdiocese of New York's Office of Black Ministry closed amid mounting abuse payouts