The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is pleased to celebrate the appointment of its Board Chair to the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. The appointment recognizes a lifetime of dedication to the study of history, Catholic education, and service to the Church. For Francesco C. Cesareo. Ph.D., the honor was unexpected.
“The appointment came as a complete surprise,” he shared. “For me it represents the culmination and recognition of my contributions both to the discipline of History as a teacher-scholar and to the mission of the various Catholic institutions where I served as a faculty member and administrator over the last 40 years.”
His appointment reflects a lifelong commitment to understanding the relationship between the Church and the world in which she carries out her mission.
“This appointment aligns closely with my scholarly interests which focus on the intersection of the mission of the Catholic Church in the world and the historical events in which the Church finds herself,” Dr. Cesareo said. “I am humbled by the confidence of the Holy Father in appointing me to this Committee.”
Throughout his career, he has viewed his work in education and leadership as a vocation of service.
“My entire career has been driven by a sense of vocation in service to the mission of the institutions where I worked as either a faculty member or administrator, the students I taught, and to the Church and her educational mission,” he said.
The appointment also reflects a strong connection with the mission of the Foundation, which is committed to advancing educational opportunities and supporting the formation of future leaders.
“This role connects with the mission of the Foundation in that it seeks, through the promotion of the Church’s history, to build bridges and foster understanding across different cultures,” he explained.
He noted that the work of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences echoes Sister Thea Bowman’s own commitment to dialogue and unity.
“The Committee serves as a bridge for dialogue between the Church and the modern world,” Dr. Cesareo shared. “This in many ways echoes Sr. Thea’s own efforts to foster dialogue between the Church and the Black Catholic community, highlighting the richness of Black Catholic spirituality and how that could contribute positively to the life of the Church.”
Through the study of history, the Church gains a deeper understanding of the many communities and cultures that have shaped her mission.
“Studying the history of the Church within the broader context of societal and political development is critical in appreciating the global nature of the Catholic Church and the various ways in which the diverse cultures that comprise the Church contribute to the vitality of her mission,” he shared.
This includes recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black Catholics throughout the history of the Church.
“Through historical research and scholarship, the Church comes to a better understanding of the contributions of Black Catholics to her mission by bringing to light the impact of those individuals within the Black Catholic community on the life of the Church at different moments in history,” he said.
A commitment to truth has guided his work as a historian, educator, and leader.
“Leaders and scholars must be committed to the truth and advocating for what is true,” Dr. Cesareo said. “The task of the historian is to seek objective truth rather than to be swayed by ideological perspectives that seek to distort or alter the truth.”
He believes that understanding history honestly, even when difficult, is essential for forming leaders who serve others.
“If we can do this, we can truly lead because we are grounded in truth and not in some fabricated truth that caters to a distorted view of history,” he said.
For young Catholics, especially young Black Catholics, understanding their connection to the history of the Church is essential.
“If young Catholics, especially Black Catholics, are going to be committed to the Church and actively engaged in promoting her mission and the life of faith which she professes, they have to feel that they are part of the Church and integral to her history,” reflected Dr. Cesareo.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that young Black Catholics see themselves reflected in the Church’s story.
“As Sr. Thea would remind us often, Black Catholic spirituality is an integral part of the life of the Church that must be celebrated and acknowledged,” he said. “When such role models are presented to young Black Catholics, they will be inspired to follow those examples and live the faith joyfully as Sr. Thea did.”