According to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, "a personal parish is a parish that responds to specific spiritual needs often related to a particular culture or an extraordinary need" and anyone who wishes to be a part of that Catholic community is welcome.

When Zubik visited earlier this year, parishioners told him about their 130-year history. This history allowed them to minister to black Catholics while also navigating the same systems of disadvantages that black Americans faced in the Pittsburgh region, the nation and the Church.

"Along with their sincere enthusiasm and passion for their Catholic faith, I heard and felt their desire to have their unique spiritual and cultural needs met," said Bishop Zubik.

"I want to raise awareness of the need to walk with our black sisters and brothers as they continue to enrich and be an integral part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Catholic Church Universal."

A task force put together a proposal, stating: "This is not a call for separatism but instead for a pledge of commitment to the Church and to share in her witnessing to the love of Christ."

Zubik says he is committed to the needs of Black Catholics and is inviting everyone to join with him in this work.

"We need to work together to make sure that black citizens from all walks of life are treated with the same respect that God intends all of us to have," he said.

As from 13 July, Saint Benedict the Moor Parish will officially become the personal parish.

Soiurce

• Pittsburgh Action news
• Image: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

St. Elizabeth's church originally served a Slovak congregation for much of the 20th century.

During a church property downsizing programme in 2001, the building was sold and the congregation merged into other parishes.

For 15 years the church was a nightclub, concert venue and bar.

The building never quite lost its sense of original purpose though, and during these incarnations it was called the Sanctuary and then the Altar Bar.

Musicians including rapper Snoop Dogg performed here.

More recently the former church was the center stage for the annual Strip District Music Festival.

Now, the building is on its way back to becoming a church.

A non-denominational congregation, Orchard Hill, bought the building last year for $800,000.

Orchard Hill was looking for a permanent city campus location to expand its reach from its Wexford Campus. It currently has about 2,500 members it says.

It says it is an evangelical Protestant church, with a strong emphasis on Biblical the authority "and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ".

Source

• PostGazette
• USNews
• Image: Faded Industry Entertainment and Lifestyle blog