March 12, 2010
St. Meinrad monks honored with leadership awards
Two monks of St. Meinrad Archabbey have been honored by the Office of Multicultural Ministry of the Archdiocese of Louisville with an award that recognizes their work as Afri-can American Catholic leaders.
On March 6, Benedictine Fathers Cyprian Davis and Boniface Hardin received the Acacia Award, the highest honor given at the annual African American Catholic Leadership Awards Banquet. The award recognizes their many years of service to the Church community at large.
Both are alumni of St. Meinrad Seminary and recipients of St. Meinrad’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Father Cyprian is a national leader in historical studies of the African American Catholic Church in the United States. The author of numerous articles and books on the history and spirituality of African American Catholics, Father Cyprian wrote The History of Black Catholics in the United States for which he received the John Gilmary Shea Award from the American Catholic Historical Association. He is a professor of Church history at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and the archivist for St. Meinrad Arch-abbey.
Father Boniface has been a champion for social justice and the advancement of society. A native of Louisville, he has dedicated his life to human relations, education and the health and welfare of all. The founder of Martin University in Indianapolis in 1977, Father Boniface served as its president for 30 years.
He is a co-founder of the Indianapolis Sickle Cell Center, Human Relations Consortium and the Negro-Jewish Dialogue, among others. He remains active as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and is affiliated with many boards and social groups.
The Acacia Award was established in 1989 by M. Annette Mandley-Turner to recognize an individual or organization for their years of service, support and fidelity to the African American Catholic community. Acacia is the name of a tree that is native to Africa. Mentioned in the Bible, acacia wood was used to build the Ark of the Covenant. The acacia tree is known for providing protection, food and shelter in many African societies.