iden. In 1912, Father Biden helped Black Catholics to organize the St. Augustine Catholic Club. George Thompson, an outstanding Black man, was elected president of the club. (Thompson's grandson is Rev. Peter Carter, the second black priest in the Diocese of Buffalo.) Despite being dispersed among the various parishes of Buffalo, Black Catholics functioned as a cohesive group in city-wide religious activities. In 1912, when a parade was organized to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of the new St. Joseph's Cathedral, black participation was evident. About 100 blacks from the St. Augustine Club marched in the parade behind their own band.
The appearance of blacks in the 1912 parade was a testimony to the racial harmony that the Catholic Church has worked hard to foster. Unfortunately, many blacks experienced racial discrimination in the church. Father Biden, wishing to atone for this discrimination, instructed the ushers at St. Joseph's Cathedral to welcome blac
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