In 1968, Moore joined with the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus in describing the American Catholic Church as a "whiteracist institution."[1] In 1969, he became director of the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Community Center and of the central office of Catholic Charities, both in Harlem.[4] Moore also founded the Office for Black Ministry in the archdiocese.[4]
In 1975, Moore was named pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, also known as "Harlem's Cathedral."[7] Cardinal John J. O'Connor described Moore as "the most popular preacher in town."[1] In 1978, the Vatican elevated Moore to the rank of monsignor, becoming the first African American to receive that honor.[7] In 1979, Moore welcomed Pope John Paul II to Harlem, where the pope addressed congregants at St. Charles Borromeo.[7][8]
As an auxiliary bishop, Moore continued to serve as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, a post which he held until 1989.[7] He also served as archdiocesan vicar for African-American Catholics, a board member of Catholic Relief Services, chair of the Africa Development Council, and a member of the New York State Commission on Government Integrity.[3]
In early 1994, Moore entered the Hazelden Foundation, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Center City, Minnesota.[1]Moore had suffered from substance abuse problems for several years. He would periodically leave his public ministry to seek treatment, often missing events and suffering from financial difficulties. While at Hazelden, Moore admitted to addictions to crack cocaine and alcohol.[11][1]He was also diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.[1][12]
Death and legacy
On September 14, 1995, Moore died at Hazelden from HIV/AIDS at age 57.[11]The archdiocese said that he died of "natural causes of unknown origin".[1] O'Connor said he could not discuss the circumstances of Moore's death, but said that he would not be ashamed if one of his priests or bishops contracted HIV/AIDS.[1]
At Moore's funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connor discussed the challenges that Moore faced as an African-American bishop in the Catholic Church, saying:
"It is not enough that a black bishop be ordinarily intelligent. He is expected to be extraordinarily intelligent. It is not enough for him to preach adequately; he must preach brilliantly. It is not enough for him to be polite; he must be the essence of courtesy. If he speaks with pride of being black, he's racist; if he supports civil rights, he's a threat. If he praises white people, he's an Uncle Tom. He is expected to be a paragon of priestliness, yet be more human than the weakest among us. In short, if he cannot walk on water, he's an utter failure; if he walks on water too easily, he has forgotten his 'place'."[1]