The Nation - News from July 4, 1989

Father George A. Stallings Jr., founder of an unauthorized new congregation for black Catholics in Washington, is “virtually assured” of being suspended as a priest, a Roman Catholic official said. “The penalty is given in such cases not for punishment, but in hopes of reconciliation,” said Father William Lori, secretary to Cardinal James A. Hickey, archbishop of Washington. Lori said Hickey might make a decision by Wednesday, three days after Stallings celebrated the first Mass of his Imani Temple African American Catholic Congregation. Stallings said he created his congregation because the established Catholic Church is not responsive to the needs of black parishioners.