For Immediate Release: July 27, 2022

Bishop Barry C. Knestout Appoints New Director of Office for Black Catholics

Msgr. Walter Barrett is First Priest to Oversee Office

(RICHMOND, Va.) – Msgr. Walter C. Barrett has accepted the position of director of the diocesan Office for Black Catholics, effective Aug. 2, 2022.

On July 1, Msgr. Barrett retired from active ministry after 47 years and will fulfill the role of director on a part time basis. He succeeds the late Deacon Charles Williams, who died in January.

“Bishop Knestout knows I have a love for the Church and a love for the Black Catholic community,” said Msgr. Barrett. He wanted someone “…who loves the whole Church and everybody in it. That’s how my name surfaced.”

As director of the Office for Black Catholics, Msgr. Barrett, the second African American priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Richmond, will assist Bishop Barry C. Knestout in meeting the needs of the Black Catholic community.

“We live in a culture where our people are divided like the rest of the world. This I can understand as a pastor. I can identify with what we face in our parishes is a microcosm of what a bishop has to face in the diocese,” Msgr. Barrett explained. “That’s why I said yes, because I want to help as much as I can.”

Having been raised in the Diocese of Richmond and being a witness to the changing demographics in the local Church, Msgr. Barrett’s experience in the community equips him to address social justice concerns and facilitate authentic Christian discourse among parishioners.

Msgr. Barrett most recently served as pastor of St. Joseph, Hampton, and St. Mary Star of the Sea, Fort Monroe, for 11 years. Prior to that, he served at St. Vincent de Paul, Newport News; Holy Rosary, Richmond; the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk; and St. Gerard, Roanoke. He has also served as episcopal vicar of the Eastern and Central Vicariates and was assigned to several committees.

Msgr. Barrett was ordained a priest of the Richmond Diocese in 1975.

###