African Catholic Clergy Association History

The African Catholic Clergy Association (ACCA) was born in 1998 when Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, OP, then Coordinator of Ethnic Ministries, organized the first national gathering of African Catholic clergy in the United States at the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Tampa, Florida. Priests from eleven African countries participated, hosted by Rev. Fr. Callist Nyambo (of blessed memory), Director of the Office for Black Catholics, Diocese of St. Petersburg. In 1999, the second national conference was again held in Tampa, focusing on clergy exchange agreements, acculturation, “Pastoring in American Parishes,” and relations with African Episcopal Conferences.

The year 2000 marked a milestone with the first Joint Conference of ACCA and the African Women Religious Conference (AWRC) in Baltimore, Maryland. This gathering led to the publication of the first directory of African priests and sisters in the U.S. and the decision to hold annual joint conferences. From this collaboration emerged ACCCRUS — the African Conference of Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States — bringing together African priests, sisters, and religious brothers serving or studying in the U.S.