Rev. Fr. Donald A. Sterling, D. Min.
First African American Priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Born into a Catholic family, Donald A. Sterling was raised in Baltimore City, Maryland. In response to the urgings of his pastor (Rev. George Bowling at Saint Ann’s), which he began to receive as an 8th grader, having graduated from Archbishop Curley High School (1966), Don began priestly studies and formation for the Archdiocese of Baltimore at Resurrection College (Kitchener, Ontario) along with about eight other young men from Baltimore.

He was deeply affected by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, which occurred during his second year of seminary formation. Convicted by his need to physically experience the Civil Rights Movement and activities occurring in the United States, he requested permission to return to the United States for studies. He received an affirmative response from his Ordinary, Lawrence Cardinal Shehan, Archbishop of Baltimore. The next academic year he continued his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary (“Paca Street”). Subsequently, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary’s Seminary College (Baltimore, 1970).

He was awarded the degree of Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Roland Park (1974). On May 1974, Donald was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, the first African American priest of the Archdiocese. While pastoring at Saint Cecilia Parish, his first assignment, he began further studies at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Saint Mary’s Seminary and University School of Theology conferred on Donald the degree of Doctor of Ministry on May, 12 1989.

He was a member of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association. He is a former president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC); a former member of the Board of the National Black Catholic Congress; a former member of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of Priests’ Council. Father Sterling is a life-time member of the NAACP. Father Sterling has served as a guest professor at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University (New Orleans) and Notre Dame College of Maryland. He has served the City of Baltimore as Chairman of the Baltimore City Community Relations Commission.

He is an active member of the Priests’ Council of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Additionally he serves the Archdiocese as a member of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission. Father Sterling is now in his 23rd year as pastor at New All Saints in Baltimore City. During his 40 years of ordained ministry, he has served as parish priest and pastor, counselor, lecturer, researcher, revivalist, and public speaker.

Father Sterling’s sobering and guiding faith principle is “Remember, God is in charge.”