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To which we add our amen—and a historical reminder:

The very ability of an African such as Arinze to serve in the hierarchy of his church has a fairly recent origin. To be precise, October 29, 1939, when the scholarly Ugandan priest Joseph Kiwanuka was consecrated by Pope Pius XII at Saint Peter's Basilica—the first African Catholic bishop.

The story of how that bold, appropriate move happened—over the protests of a divided church—is told in our aforementioned issue #79. Itself a prophetic move, Kiwanuka's consecration opened the gates to a vibrant indigenous African Catholic leadership. Thirty-five years later, on Mission Sunday in 1964, Kiwanuka assisted Pope Paul VI at St. Peter's as, for the first time, black African Christians were declared saints. Three years after Kiwanuka's death in 1966, that same pontiff consecrated no fewer than 12 African bishops in Kiwanuka's old cathedral.

Now, in the eyes of many observers both inside and outside the Catholic Church, the time is ripe for the next step. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, a new crop of African bishops will find themselves being consecrated by one of their own countrymen. And a new, "African century" of the church will be well launched.

Chris Armstrong is managing editor of Christian History magazine. More Christian History, including a list of events that occurred this week in the church's past, is available at ChristianHistory.net. Subscriptions to the quarterly print magazine are also available.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other Christian History articles on the Pope John Paul II include:

John Paul II | In issuing more significant encyclicals and visiting more nations than any other pope, he's shown that Christianity remains a world force.

Forgive and Remember

The Politicians' Patron | Just in time for the election, Pope John Paul II prepares to declare Thomas More the patron saint of politicians—though More was not quite a model for all seasons.

Other Christianity Today articles on Pope John Paul II include:

In Greece and Syria, Pope John Paul II Tries to Heal Ancient Wounds | But many Orthodox Christians and Muslims are suspicious and hostile to visit. (May 9, 2001)

Will Isidore Be Patron Saint of the Internet? Pope John Paul Will Decide. | Announcement will likely coincide with release of document on Internet ethics. (March 27, 2001)

Pope's Pilgrimage to Ukraine Prompts Warning From Orthodox | Revival of the Greek Catholic Church in Russia prompts new conflict. (July 11, 2001)

Not All Religions Equal, Declares Pope John Paul II | Jesus is 'unique Savior,' Pope reiterates; other religions called 'incomplete.' (Feb. 7, 2000)

Pope Asks Forgiveness for Past "Betrayal of the Gospel" | Church's 'children' made mistakes, but the church is sacred, says John Paul II (March 13, 2000)

Pope tells Palestinians to Seek Hope in the Place Where Jesus was Born | Kiss of ground symbolic as John Paul II calls for Palestinian homeland (March 20, 2000)

Israelis and Palestinians Pay Tribute to Pope's Pilgrimage to Holy Land | Though some at grassroots remain unappeased, leaders of both groups are full of praise (March 27, 2000)

Christian History Corner appears every Friday on Christianity Today's website. Previous editions include:

When Denominations Divide | The two-century-old "Unitarian controversy" suggests a grim prognosis for the current crisis in the Episcopal Church

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October (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47