Harold Robert Perry facts for kids

Harold Robert Perry, a member of the Divine Word Missionaries (S.V.D.), was an important African-American leader in the Catholic Church. He was born on October 9, 1916, and passed away on July 17, 1991. For over twenty years, starting in 1966, he served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Bishop Perry made history as the first openly African-American Catholic bishop. He was also the second African-American bishop overall, and the first since 1875. Beyond this, he was the first Black male leader (called a provincial superior) in the United States for his religious order. He also became the first African-American clergyman to give the opening prayer in the U.S. Congress.

The Life of Harold Perry

Early Years and Schooling

Harold Perry was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His father, Frank J. Perry, worked at a rice mill, and his mother, Josephine, was a cook. Harold was the oldest of six children. His family was very Catholic and spoke French at home.

When he was 13, Harold went to St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This seminary was for Black students and run by the Society of the Divine Word. He continued his studies at other religious schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1938, he made his vows to join the Divine Word Missionaries.

Becoming a Priest

On January 6, 1944, Harold Perry was ordained as a priest. He was the 26th African American to become a Catholic priest. After his ordination, he worked as an assistant pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lafayette until 1948.

He then moved to Notre Dame Church in St. Martinville. Later, he served at St. Peter's Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from 1949 to 1951. He also served at St. Gabriel's Church in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, from 1951 to 1952. After that, he returned to Louisiana.

Building Churches and Communities

In Louisiana, Father Perry became the first pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Broussard. During his six years there, he helped build the church, the rectory (where the priest lives), and the school.

In 1958, Father Perry was named rector of his old school, St. Augustine Seminary. He became more involved in the civil rights movement. In 1960, he joined the National Catholic Council for Interracial Justice.

In 1961, he wrote in a Catholic magazine called Interracial Review:

• Catholic places could have earned much respect from Southern Black people if they had ended segregation a long time ago.
• In many cases, segregation continued even up to the Communion rail.
• We missed a chance to show Black people the true spirit of the church.

In 1963, Father Perry and other religious leaders were invited to the White House. They met with President John F. Kennedy to talk about peacefully ending segregation. His time as rector ended in 1964. That year, he became the leader (provincial superior) of the Southern province of the Divine Word Society in the United States. He also made history by being the first African-American clergyman to give the opening prayer in Congress.

Becoming a Bishop

On September 29, 1965, Pope Paul VI chose Harold Perry to be a titular bishop of Mons in Mauretania. He also became an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He was the second African American ever to become a Catholic bishop.

When his appointment was announced, Archbishop Philip Hannan said, "We welcome the first American-born Negro bishop." However, Bishop James Healy, whose mother was a biracial slave, was actually the first African American to become a Catholic bishop.

Many leaders, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, praised Bishop Perry's appointment. Bishop Perry said that President Johnson had "accomplished more for our own people than any President since Lincoln". However, Bishop Perry stated, "My appointment is a religious one, not a civil rights appointment. My religious work comes first. I have no desire to work directly as a civil rights leader."

He officially became a bishop on January 6, 1966. Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi led the ceremony, with Archbishops Philip Hannan and John Cody helping. Some white protestors demonstrated outside the ceremony. One woman said it was "another reason why God will destroy the Vatican".

Life as a Bishop

As an auxiliary bishop, Perry served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church in New Orleans. He also held important roles like vicar general of the archdiocese and rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. He lived at Ursuline Academy, which is the oldest girls' school in the United States. For many years, he was also the national chaplain for the Knights of Peter Claver, a Catholic organization.

His Passing

Bishop Perry remained an auxiliary bishop until he passed away at age 74. He died from problems related to Alzheimer's disease at Wynhoven Health Care Center. After his death, Archbishop Francis B. Schulte said, "As the first African-American bishop in this century, [Bishop Perry] was a symbol of the great changes which have taken place in our church and in our country."