The “Diocese” of Jackson, Mississippi, concluded the diocesan phase for the “canonization” of “Servant of God” Mary Thea Bowman, a Methodist convert promoted for advancing “Black Catholic” ministries. “Bishop” Joseph Kopacz presided over the February 9 ceremony, claiming Bowman “inspires faith, hope, and joy” beyond the diocese. Bowman joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at 15, earned a doctorate from The “Catholic” University of America, co-founded the National Black Sisters’ Conference, and contributed to the 1987 Lead Me, Guide Me hymnal. Her 1989 address to the U.S. “bishops” included singing the Negro spiritual Motherless Child while declaring, “Jesus told me that the Church is my home.” She died in 1990 and was buried in a secular cemetery.