New Auxiliary Bishop Calls for Racial Justice After Pope's Historic Apology

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Robert P. Boxie III as a new auxiliary bishop of Washington. The announcement came on May 1, 2023, with his ordination set for July 7 of the same year. Boxie has since shared his views on racial justice and the Church’s role in addressing historical injustices. In a recent encyclical titled Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV issued a formal apology for the Catholic Church’s involvement in slavery. Bishop-designate Boxie called the apology a 'watershed moment' and expressed relief and joy at the Pope’s acknowledgment. He believes the Church must now use its moral authority to push for racial equality.

Boxie has also spoken about the need to confront the full truth of U.S. history for national healing. He highlighted that Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in 1865, came 89 years after the Declaration of Independence. The legacy of enslavement persists, with institutions like Georgetown University having once profited from the sale of 272 enslaved people in 1838.

Among those being considered for sainthood are three of the 'Saintly Seven', African American Catholics who were once enslaved. Their stories underscore the deep historical ties between the Church and the struggle for racial justice. Boxie’s ordination will take place on July 7, 2023. His emphasis on truth and justice reflects a broader call within the Church to address its past. The apology from Pope Leo XIV and the recognition of figures like the 'Saintly Seven' mark steps toward acknowledging historical wrongs.