New Washington Auxiliary Bishop Champions Racial Justice in the Church

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Robert P. Boxie III as a new auxiliary bishop of Washington. The announcement came on 1 May 2023, with his ordination set for 7 July of the same year. Boxie has previously served as chaplain at the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center at Howard University in the capital. Boxie has spoken openly about the need for the Church to stand firmly on the side of racial justice and reconciliation. He believes that confronting racism begins with a personal change of heart. His views align with broader discussions on race within the Church, especially as Pope Leo XIV recently apologised for its historical role in slavery in the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.

The appointment comes at a time when the Church is reflecting on its past. Georgetown University, for instance, was partly funded by the 1838 sale of 272 enslaved individuals. Slavery in the U.S. persisted until 1865, a date now commemorated as Juneteenth. Among those being considered for sainthood, three of the 'Saintly Seven' African American Catholics were once enslaved themselves.

Boxie’s background includes a commitment to racial justice, echoing the resilience of African Americans who have long demonstrated what he describes as 'social courage' in their pursuit of equality. Boxie will take up his new role after his ordination in July. His focus on racial justice reflects ongoing efforts within the Church to address its historical ties to slavery. The appointment also highlights the importance of personal and institutional accountability in the fight for equality.