Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry Commissions Tolton Ambassadors in Philadelphia

Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry is on a mission to raise awareness for the cause of sainthood for Father Augustus Tolton, the first African American priest in the United States. During his recent visit to Philadelphia, Bishop Perry commissioned 13 individuals as “Tolton ambassadors” at St. Raymond of Penafort Church in the city’s Mount Airy section.

Father Tolton, a 19th-century priest in Chicago, was declared a Servant of God by the Vatican in 2012, and his remains were examined and reinterred in 2016 as part of the investigative process for sainthood. The cause for his canonization is being led by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The newly commissioned ambassadors, led by Eugene Frasier and Beverly Harper, are charged with encouraging prayerful devotion to Father Tolton and promoting his cause for canonization. The group includes individuals from various parishes in Philadelphia, all dedicated to spreading awareness about Father Tolton’s work in serving the poor and marginalized communities.

Bishop Perry also engaged in an open Q&A session with participants, discussing the importance of ecumenism in the sainthood cause for Father Tolton. He emphasized the spiritual significance of canonization and encouraged others to join in the efforts to recognize Father Tolton’s holiness.

The commissioning of the Tolton ambassadors in Philadelphia is just one example of the growing support for African American candidates for sainthood in the Catholic Church. With other causes advancing for individuals like Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Julia Greeley, and Venerable Henriette Delille, the push for diversity and inclusivity in the canonization process is gaining momentum. Bishop Perry’s dedication to Father Tolton’s cause serves as a beacon of hope for those advocating for greater representation of African American saints in the Catholic faith.