Fr. Allan Dreck, S.J. On Diversity With Opus Die Archbishop Jose Gomez

Bishops' Aide: Church Is Diversity Expert
U.S. Prelates Form New Secretariat
WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic Church is an expert In diversity, said the executive director of a new secretariat that will support the U.S. bishops' standing Committee on Cultural Diversity. The bishops established the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church to provide staffing to the committee of the same name, chaired by Archbishop José Gómez of San Antonio.

Jesuit Father Allan Deck is the executive director of the secretariat. "It is my hope that our committee will clearly articulate the catholicity, the universality of the message of the Gospel and the mission of the Church," Archbishop Gómez said. "We are blessed to live in a country that is enriched by people of many cultures. This committee will work collaboratively with our brother bishops to enhance their awareness of how this diversity can help shape their ministries by bringing all Catholics into a fuller participation in the life of the Church." The Cultural Diversity Secretariat will focus on the ministries to Hispanic Catholics, African American Catholics, Asian and Pacific Islander Catholics, Native American Catholics, African Catholics, and the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers.

"The Catholic Church is an expert in all kinds of diversity," said Father Deck. "That's what it means to be 'catholic' or universal. In an age of globalization, with its pattern of instant communication and ongoing migration, the Church is challenged to find ways to minister both to newcomers and those with deep roots in the United States. This includes every racial and ethnic group, immigrant and person on the move." "A one-size-fits-all approach is often not helpful," he added. The episcopal conference decided that bringing culturally and ethnically diverse groups under one umbrella would help to promote dialogue and greater efficiency in serving all groups. Archbishop Gómez voiced a "pledge to help, in any way we can, to bring the people of these many cultures together to work and live as one family, always recognizing the value that each brings to the Church's mission, and respecting the importance of each culture's unique expression of faith. This will allow the Church to truly benefit from that diversity as we minister to each other."

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