Summary

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of ecumenism, particularly within the Black community, and reflect on the historical context of Christian unity. We explore the significance of the Council of Nicaea, its 1700th anniversary in 2025, the role of love in ecumenical efforts, and the challenges of unity among different Christian traditions. The discussion also touches on the impact of music, the complexities of doctrinal differences, and the future of ecumenism, emphasizing the need for understanding and collaboration among diverse faith communities.

Show notes

• 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity
• BCM podcast episode with Ethiopian deacon Henok Elias: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0heNkPcFMI&list=PLQsr7W6MHTzNm91QX8ldtsrWdj_QWr-N-&index=3&t=12s
• Link to original 325 Nicene Creed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fa5PkYFS3vmtTRGip_diaf7Lq1CZZ93RAA_rTdWitNo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.go803rozvcgl
• "Baptism as Mystical-Political Engagement" (LaRyssa D. Herrington): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14769948.2025.2465227

Chapters

01:45 The Importance of Ecumenism in the Black Community

05:02 Reflections on the Council of Nicaea

09:31 The Role of Love in Ecumenical Efforts

13:42 Understanding Differences in Christian Traditions

16:18 The Challenge of Unity Among Protestants

21:22 The Nature of Communion and Its Implications

25:58 Experiences of Mysticism in the Black Community

30:10 The Impact of Historical Context on Faith

34:12 The Role of Music in Faith and Unity

38:35 Navigating Doctrinal Differences

42:00 The Significance of Shared Celebrations

01:02:21 The Future of Ecumenism and Unity

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Show notes

Nate Tinner-Williams engages with Dr. John F Leeke and his daughter Ananda Leeke, co-authors of "American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion." They discuss their backgrounds, the journey of writing their book, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in today's society. The conversation explores the intersection of faith and DEI, the role of wellness in promoting inclusion, and the historical context of DEI efforts. They also address critiques of DEI initiatives and emphasize the power of individual change agents in creating a more equitable society.

Book link: http://anandaleeke.com/drjohn/

Chapters

06:01 The Journey to Writing 'American Change Agent'

10:57 The Connection Between Faith and DEI

17:49 Wellness and Its Role in DEI

21:54 Understanding Historical Context in DEI

28:10 Personal Experiences in the DEI Movement

34:45 Critiques of DEI and the Role of Change Agents

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Make a tax-deductible donation to BCM @ http://blackcatholicmessenger.org/donate

Fr Samuel Davis, a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joins the BCM show to discsuss his testimony, his philosophy of ministry, and how Catholics and Orthodox can come together in understanding of and outreach to the Black community.

• St Photina is the name of the woman at the well in the Eastern Christian tradition.

• Archimandrite Raphael Morgan was a Jamaican American and the first Black Eastern Orthodox priest in the United States. He corresponded with Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican Catholic who lived in America and became a pivotal figure in the Black freedom and Pan-African movements.

• The book Fr Davis shows and recommends during the show is Fr Cyprian Davis' "History of Black Catholics in the United States".

• Fr Davis' commentary on native Ethiopian outreach to the West indirectly mentions Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie without naming him.

• The African-American Eastern Orthodox priests named partially by Fr Davis are the late Archpriest Moses Berry and Fr Paul Abernathy of Pittsburgh.

~~

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Deacon Henok Elias shares his journey from being a nominal Christian to becoming a deacon in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He discusses the significance of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the role of the diaconate, and the unique aspects of Ethiopian Orthodox liturgy and worship practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and community engagement, as well as the cultural heritage and spirituality within the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.

Dcn Henok's YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophyofArtandScience

Music: Gunnar Gundersen 

~~

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Josephite seminarian Eric T. Styles has as his guest the world's first and, as of this date, only African-American cardinal, Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. His Eminence recently returned from Rome after participating in the funeral rites for Pope Francis and voting in the 2025 papal conclave.

Show notes: "The lector--minister of the word: an historical and liturgical study of the office of the lector in the Western church" (dissertation by Wilton Daniel Gregory, Rome: The Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Anthenaeum of Saint Anselm, 1980) https://openurl.ebsco.com/contentitem/cat08439a:ctcu.992037504705825?sid=ebsco:plink:crawler&id=ebsco:cat08439a:ctcu.992037504705825

Music: Gunnar Gundersen 

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Chris Ellis Jr., a Black Catholic D.C. native, sits down with Nate Tinner-Williams discuss culture, calling, and the need for greater commitment to evangelization.

Music: Gunnar Gundersen

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Dr. Mario Dance, a retired veterinarian and cofounder of the Catholic Evangelical Missionary People of Color (CEMPOC) grant, tells Nate Tinner-Williams about his story, the organization, and what it takes to diversify campus evangelization in the U.S. Church.

Intro music: Gunnar Gundersen

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We back! The crew discusses news of note from the past several weeks, including Gunnar's opinion piece on a recent trip to a slave plantation in disguise, Alessandra's TV appearance and America Magazine op-ed on mass incarceration, and Nate's recent piece on Black Catholic history in North Florida.

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Members of the BCM team (Alessandra Harris, Gunnar Gundersen, and Stephen Staten) offer reflections on the month's news, including Gloria Purvis' new podcast, Fr James Altman's removal and resistance, and the treatment of LGBT Catholics in the Church.
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Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg joins Alessandra Harris for a discussion about motherhood, family, and faith.
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