Media statement on Pope Francis naming Archbishop Gregory first African American cardinal

Media statement from Johnny Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA Executive Director:

“Pax Christi USA congratulates Archbishop Wilton Gregory on his elevation to cardinal by Pope Francis, making him the first African American cardinal in the U.S. Catholic Church. The message Pope Francis is sending to the U.S. and the U.S. Catholic Church at this time in the appointment of Archbishop Gregory as a cardinal should be clear. He has named the first African American cardinal in the U.S. in the midst of our nation’s reckoning with systemic racism, as millions assert that Black Lives Matter. And it’s validation of the archbishop’s opposition this past summer of President Trump using the St. John Paul II Shrine for a photo op when the president’s policies are so radically contrary to our faith and the teachings of the church. We welcome Archbishop Gregory’s appointment as cardinal and are grateful for his prophetic and pastoral leadership on issues of racial justice and equity in our nation and church and his consistent support of Catholic social teaching in centering policies that uphold human dignity.”

(Photo: Archbishop Gregory, 2nd from right, with Pax Christi International co-presidents Sr. Wamuyu Wachira and Bishop Marc Stenger, and Johnny Zokovitch, PCUSA Executive Director.)