Why are there so few African American bishops? ‘The short answer is racism’ says Bishop Boxie

In brief

Bishop Robert P. Boxie III attributed the low number of African American bishops to racism. Speaking during a Vatican course for bishops ordained within the last year, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington said rejection and exclusion have been part of the Black Catholic experience.

Boxie was among 147 bishops from five continents attending the program in Rome on September 7, 2026.