Born in Harlem, 1933, Lawrence Lucas learned activism from his mother, a one-woman army fighting greedy and uncaring landlords in his Harlem tenement.  He attended St. Mark the Evangelist Parochial School, even though he lived across the street from All Saints Roman Catholic School (it was not accepting “coloreds” at that time).  He entered Cathedral College, the minor seminary, and then St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers (in 1953).  On May 30, 1959, at a church that previously refused to accept Blacks or required us to sit in the back, Lucas became only the 3rd Black priest ever ordained for the Archdiocese of New York.  

 

In 1961, after serving a few brief stints, Lucas requested a transfer to Harlem that he might better serve the Black community.  He was sent to Resurrection Parish and then St. Charles Borromeo (where, in 1965, he celebrated his first Gospel mass – a major Archdiocesan happening). After further studies in sociology and broadcasting, he produced a TV show called “Let’s Talk” in Indianapolis and wrote a weekly syndicated column titled “The Black Voice.”  Both were highly controversial.  Of most significance to us: in 1968, Lucas, together with Frs. Augustus Taylor and George Clements, founded the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (Lucas is also a past president of NBCCC).

 

He returned to NY and, in October 1969, he was named pastor of Resurrection Parish – then, the youngest, hippest pastor in the Archdiocese – and it showed!  In 1970, he authored a ground-breaking book: Black Priest, White Church: Catholics and Racism.  Meanwhile, Resurrection Parish was becoming the center for Black revolutionary organizations and activities, including the Black Panthers’ Breakfast Program.  Such deeds incurred the wrath of many, including the mayor, Ed Koch.  Lucas himself served as a union delegate, and First Vice President of Community School Board No. 5 and Community Planning Board No. 10.  He was a servant of the people and defender of human rights, and for over 30 years as pastor, with his prophetic voice and innovative parish changes, he built Resurrection into one of the most thriving and loved parishes in America.  

 

In the 1980s, long before Black Lives Matter, Lucas was in the streets as an organizer of the December 12th Movement that protested racist murders and police brutality.  He is an internationally renowned author, lecturer, radio and TV commentator.  In 1991, he shifted gears and began serving in chaplain roles, including North General Hospital, the NYC Department of Corrections, and Rikers Island.  Lucas retired from active priestly service years ago, but in 2014, he was coaxed out of retirement to serve as temporary administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes, Manhattan.  He is an exemplary priest that, when called, he serves.  We were graced by his presence as keynote speaker at last year’s Joint Conference in Orlando, FL.  We are forever indebted to his prophetic witness of the Gospel, in season and out.