Cultural Diversity Committee Mandate

The committee assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in instilling the vision of Encuentro 2000 and Ecclesia in America throughout the Church by working collaboratively with all the committees of the Conference and with bishops and their dioceses to bring Catholics from various culturally diverse communities into a fuller participation in the faith, life, and evangelizing mission of the Church. The committee especially works to promote an awareness of cultural diversity within all the committees and offices of the USCCB.

This mandate includes the following areas of responsibility: Pastoral care of Hispanic Catholics, African American Catholics, Native American Catholics, Asian Catholics, African Catholics, Pacific Island Catholics, Catholic migrants and refugees, and people on the move.

KEY MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collaborating intentionally and systematically with all USCCB committees and offices on issues and initiatives that impact cultural diversity in the Church and people with special pastoral needs
2. Being a resource and advocate to USCCB committees and offices on issues relating to cultural diversity and people with special pastoral needs
3. Communicating and promoting the teachings of the Church and the resources of the USCCB to dioceses and national Catholic organizations, especially those ministering in cultural diverse settings, to migrants and refugees, and to people on the move
4. Providing training to regional and national groups related to resources developed by the USCCB, its committees, and its work groups
5. Studying issues relating to faith and life of Catholics in culturally diverse communities and people on the move.
6. Advocating for and coordinating the efforts of the permanent subcommittees to address cultural diversity in the Church.

KEY MISSION RELATIONSHIPS

1. With all the committees, subcommittees, and task forces of the USCCB
2. With diocesan and regional offices that support cultural diversity and people with special pastoral needs
3. With the national Catholic organizations that represent and assist cultural diversity in the Church and people on the move.
4. With the Holy See and other episcopal conferences