Cardinal Urges New Orleans to Break Racial Barriers

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Catholic Church's first African American cardinal, spoke to students and audiences in New Orleans about overcoming racial divides.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Catholicism

Historic brick church facade with twin steeples and an arched doorway, framed by live oaks hung with Spanish moss under overcast New Orleans sky. — Cardinal Wilton Gregory urged New Orleans audiences to push through racial barriers at Loyola University and St. Maria Goretti Church. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should schools in your community actively teach students about racism?

Cardinal Wilton Gregory urged New Orleans audiences to push through racial barriers during a question and answer session at Loyola University and a talk to high school students at St. Maria Goretti Church. Gregory, 78, is the Catholic Church's first African American cardinal.

Why it matters

Gregory's remarks connect the present-day Archdiocese of New Orleans to its own history of desegregation, including the integration of Catholic churches and schools ordered under former Archbishop Joseph Rummel. The message comes as there are just over 500,000 Catholics in the archdiocese.

Gregory was archbishop of Atlanta from 2005 to 2019 and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops from 2001 to 2004. The sources do not specify any new local programs announced during the visit.

The players

Wilton Gregory

Gregory is the Catholic Church's first African American cardinal, a former archbishop of Atlanta and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops.

Xavier Cole

Cole is the president of Loyola University in New Orleans, who moderated the question and answer session with Gregory.

Joseph Rummel

Rummel was archbishop of New Orleans from 1935 to 1964 and ordered the city's Catholic churches and schools integrated amid protests.

The details

During a question and answer session at Loyola University with University President Xavier Cole, and in a talk to high school students at St. Maria Goretti Church, Gregory referenced the archdiocese's desegregation under Rummel, who served as archbishop from 1935 to 1964. Responding to a question from Jesuit High School student Cardell Ross, Gregory encouraged students to push through barriers.

- 1935-1964: Joseph Rummel serves as archbishop of New Orleans and advocates racial equality.
- 2001-2004: Gregory serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops.
- 2005-2019: Gregory serves as archbishop of Atlanta.
- November 2020: Pope Francis elevates Gregory to the College of Cardinals.
- November 5, 2026: Gregory delivers his New Orleans talks at Loyola and St. Maria Goretti.

Historical Thread

Gregory's remarks echo Archbishop Joseph Rummel's order to integrate the archdiocese's Catholic churches and schools in the era of desegregation protests. The address places a present-day cardinal in direct conversation with that earlier local precedent.

For Catholics in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the remarks offer a direct reminder of their parish's history of integration. Readers attending or following local parishes may find the message applicable to their congregations' current outreach.

The takeaway

Gregory's message suggests that confronting barriers is an ongoing task rather than a settled historical achievement. Readers can apply this by examining how their own communities and congregations address inclusion today.