Let Us Begin At Home:

The theme of the Catholic African World Network (CAWN) is: TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Everything we do is for the praise of God and the service of our Catholic family of faith and the world in which we live.

Altar with Banner Draped:

In 1989, the East African association of communicators invited Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS to give a week long seminar on electronic communications. The Chairperson of the association for the Bishops' Conference of East Africa at the time was Bishop James Odongo of the Torroro Diocese in Uganda. Bishop Odongo visited Fr. Williams in Detroit at the television production facilities of the Archdiocese of Detroit and taped some productions together. This collaboration brought about the idea of an agency that would serve the communications needs of Catholics of African descent in the Diaspora and in the Motherland. This was the birth of the Catholic African World Network in 1991.

Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS with Bishop Odongo:

The 500 anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas was an occasion for Catholics of African descent to reflect on our experiences in the Church and the hemisphere. The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus convened the first international conference for Black clergy entitled, "The Pan-African Roman Catholic Clergy Conference," (PACCC). The first PACCC met in New Orleans in conjunction with Congress VII in 1992. Some of the attendees posed for a photo - from left to right: Fr. John Mabango of Kenya, East Africa: Deacon John Stewart, President of the National Association of African American Deacons; Claudette McMeekins of Detroit, Michigan - Registrar; Fr. Victor Cohea, Chairperson of PACCC'99; and Fr. Paul Marshall, SM, co-founder of PACCC '92.

PARCCC members: Founders of CAWN

A Basilica for Africa was the first project of the Catholic African World Network (CAWN) to be produced in Africa. In 1991, the Bishops of the Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) requested that a documentary be made of the world's tallest basilica which was located in Yamoussoukro. The video covers the historical dedication of the Our Lady of Peace Basilica and the controversy surrounding the edifice. After consecrating the Basilica, Pope John Paul II selected Monsignor Agre as its first Rector. Monsignor Agre is featured in the television production.

Msgr. Agre with Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS:

Besides the behind the scenes writing and producing, Fr. Williams has spent 15 years in front of the camera as the regular celebrant for the Archdiocese of Detroit's Mass for Shut-ins.

Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS at Mass:

Rejoice! Futuring Black Catholic Worship was produced by the Black Catholic Televangelization Network and the Catholic African World Network to document the expressions of the worship found in the Black Community in the United States, Brazil, East and West Africa. This hour long television program is hosted by the late Archbishop James Patterson Lyke, OFM, Ph.D.

Rejoice Poster:

St. Martin DePorres is the patron of our network. We have produced a gospel musical for television on his life entitled, SAINT! Besides this production, St. Martin is the patron of our national teleconferences on racism. Both of out national teleconferences on racism have been hosted by Bishop Joseph Francis, SVD and Barbara Valentine, internationally known Catholic producer and host of her own series and television specials.

St. Martin De Porres hold card:

Undoubtedly on of the most incredible missionaries in the history of the New World was St. Peter Claver. In the 1900's when Black Catholics could not join fraternal organizations, the Josephite Fathers and Brothers organized the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver in Alabama. Since that time this order of men and women have become the largest Black Catholic organization in the history of the United States.

Statue of St. Peter Claver: St. Peter Claver: Pray for Us

Other productions include The Beatification of Katherine Drexel, which was produced on location in Rome, Italy. CAWN was invited to produce this documentary on the beatification process for Blessed Katherine Drexel who established a religious community, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, devoted to the education of the Native American and Black American children.

Blessed Katherine Drexel behind the scenes-video:

Teleconference with Bp. Frances and Barbara Valentine: