Eight Catholic clergy and religious who have served the African American Catholic community in the archdiocese of Los Angeles were named as recipients of the Bishop Carl Anthony Fisher Awards.

The recipients were selected by the Knights of St. Peter Claver and the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization, who will sponsor the Awards Luncheon on Nov. 18 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Bishop Fisher served as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles from 1987 until his death at age 47 in September 1993.

"This year's recipients have been recognized for their outstanding leadership in service to Black Catholics who live and worship in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles," explained Harry L. Wiley Jr., chairperson of the awards committee. The individual awards bear the name of an African American who "has served the church of Los Angeles tirelessly," he said.

---Msgr. David O'Connell, Joseph A. Francis Award.
---Father Michael Ume, Paul Gopaul Award.
---Father Jarlath Dolan, Vance Thorne Award.
---Msgr. Jerome Schmit, Charles A. Logan Award.
---Msgr. James Gehl, Peter Gabriel Foster Award.
---Deacon Hosea Alexander, John Gaudin Award.
---Social Service Sister Marianna Halsmer, Frances Paula Guillory Award.
---Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire, Fisher J. Robinson Award.

The keynote speaker for the Nov. 18 luncheon will be Jesuit Father Gregory Chisholm, former pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Los Angeles and now pastor of St. Patrick Church in Oakland. For information regarding the Awards or the event, call the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization, (323) 777-2106, or visit www.bcafawards.org.