Reverend Mr. Paul Richardson

Paul E. Richardson was ordained in September 1976, in the first class of deacons for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (and their first Black deacon). He is assigned to St. Paul Church, Yellow Springs, OH; and, to St. Charles Borromeo Church, South Charleston, OH.

Richardson was the first deacon to serve as president of NBCCC. A past secretary, he still serves as informal keeper of the NBCCC database, disseminating messages as needed.  He’s also a past secretary of the Pan African Roman Catholic Clergy Caucus and a former convener of the National Catholic Deacon Organization Presidents. In July 2005, Richardson received the Fr. Joseph Davis lifetime achievement award from the NBCCC and in 2013 was among six Black Catholics honored by Archbishop Schnurr for service to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  

Locally, Richardson has mentored men in Diaconate formation and in the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program.  He’s coordinated spiritual retreats for the homeless, served in interfaith/ecumenical organizations, written religion page articles for syndicated newspapers and conducted leadership training for inner-city parishes through Ministers of Service, Inc.  Richardson and his wife Juanita have two daughters and two grandsons.