Bishop John Ricard, First Black Catholic Prelate in Florida, Dies at 86
Bishop John Ricard, SSJ, died in May 2026 at age 86. A Louisiana-born leader, he served as the first Black Catholic prelate in Florida and was a significant figure in the Josephites. His death has prompted mourning across the Black Catholic community. Fr. Robert Boxie III, a 45-year-old chaplain at Howard University, has been named an Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, set for consecration on July 7, 2026.
Bishop John Ricard, SSJ, died in May 2026 at age 86. He was a Louisiana-born leader who served as the first Black Catholic prelate in Florida and was a significant figure in the Josephites, a religious order dedicated to ministry in the African American community.
His death has prompted mourning across the Black Catholic community. Leaders and organizations have paid tribute to his decades of service and his role in advancing the presence of Black Catholics in the American church.
In related news, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is observing the transition of Bishop Theodore Larry Kirkland, Sr. (1942-2026), as reported by The Christian Recorder.
The Catholic Church has also announced a new appointment: Fr. Robert Boxie III, a 45-year-old chaplain at Howard University, has been named an Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. His consecration is set for July 7, 2026. Boxie is known for his work with students and his ministry at one of the nation's most prominent historically Black universities.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a Chicago native with African roots, issued a historic encyclical in May 2026 that formally apologized for the Vatican's past role in legitimizing slavery. The document also addressed the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) and other organizations have emphasized mental health awareness and social justice throughout May, reflecting on the Church's response to systemic issues facing Black communities.
