The Nation : Bishops Urge Priest’s Return to Church

The nation’s 13 black Roman Catholic bishops urged a Washington priest who established an independent African-American Catholic congregation to abandon his efforts and return to the church. The bishops said they hoped that Father George A. Stallings Jr. and his followers “are not commingling personal disappointment, individually felt frustrations and personal anger under the banner of racism.” Racism, they said, “is too serious an issue to be used as a cover for selfish concerns.” But the controversial priest told the Washington Post the bishops had “opted for office and position over their ability to exercise a prophetic voice.” Earlier this month, Stallings established the Imani Temple, saying the Catholic Church had failed to embrace the culture, history and spirit of its black members. Church officials have suspended Stallings from preaching, celebrating Mass or administering any of the church’s sacraments, including baptism and Holy Communion.