African Catholic: Decolonization and the Transformation of the Church

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Join us for a fascinating author talk with Dr. Elizabeth Foster whose latest publication tells the groundbreaking history of how Africans in the French Empire embraced both independence and their Catholic faith during the upheaval of decolonization, leading to a fundamental reorientation of the Catholic Church.

Event in English. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and reception with light refreshments.

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About the Author

Elizabeth A. Foster is the author of Faith in Empire: Religion, Politics, and Colonial Rule in French Senegal, 1880–1940, which won the Alf Andrew Heggoy Book Prize from the French Colonial Historical Society. An Associate Professor of History at Tufts University, she has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard’s Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies and has received Fulbright, ACLS, and NEH Fellowships.

About African Catholic

African Catholic examines how French imperialists and the Africans they ruled imagined the religious future of French sub-Saharan Africa in the years just before and after decolonization. The story encompasses the political transition to independence, Catholic contributions to black intellectual currents, and efforts to alter the Church hierarchy to create an authentically “African” church.

Celebrating le mois de la Francophonie

La Francophonie is a vibrant and dynamic language community shared by some 274 million speakers. From Africa to America, French is spoken on five continents and is the second most learned language after English. With more than 60,000 words, it is an international language of communication used by 80 states and governments. In the United States, the number of Francophones is estimated at 11 million and nearly 13 million Americans report having a French, French-Canadian, or Acadian ethnic origin. The majority of Franco-Americans are concentrated in New England as well as in Louisiana. French, a rich and international language!

La Francophonie c’est une communauté de langue vivante et dynamique partagée par quelques 274 millions de locuteurs et présente sur 5 continents. De l’Afrique à l’Amérique, le français et l’anglais sont les seules langues parlées sur les cinq continents, et le français est la 2ème langue la plus apprise après l’anglais. Avec plus de 60 000 mots, c’est une langue de communication internationale utilisée par 80 États et gouvernements. Aux États-Unis, on estime que le nombre de francophones s’élève à 11 millions de personnes et près de 13 millions d’Américains déclarent avoir une origine ethnique française, canadienne-française ou acadienne. La majorité des Franco-Américains se concentre en Nouvelle-Angleterre ainsi qu’en Louisiane. Le français, une langue riche et internationale !

Upcoming Events

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Performing Arts & Screenings

Theater Club in June

In-person, Indoor Event in French

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Come join us for the new Theater Club at the French Library, a place to read, watch, discuss and recite contemporary and classic French plays with fellow enthusiasts.

Food & Wine

(SOLD OUT) Patisserie class with Chef and Champagne

GASTRONOMY & WINE PROGRAM: YOUR FRENCH CULINARY ARTS AND WINE JOURNEY

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The French Library is delighted to present this cooking class from our Gastronomy & Wine program. Guided by excellence, this program is designed to educate you in the fine art of cooking and oenology with experts.