Staff Report

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Pastoral Services Department will host a premiere event with the theme “An Overview: Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers” on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The diversity event will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows in Monroe from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The October diversity event was inspired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops program on diversity in 2012.

“The event is aimed at our awareness in the archdiocese of immigration, especially of the Hispanic population and increasing our awareness of the diversity of the archdiocese,” said Deacon Royce Winters, chairman of this event. “We have recognized a lack of support for those of different ethnic backgrounds and this event will empower us to better minister to all of God’s children.”

The presenters for the day will be Donna Toliver Grimes, Assistant Director of African American Affairs and Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, Assistant Director of Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The U.S. Bishops stated, “[Our]…focus on cultural diversity is grounded on the urgent need to grow in knowledge and develop appropriate attitudes and skills for the purpose of carrying out the Church’s mission of evangelization.” (Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers – Introduction)

The USCCB Committee on Social Development and World Peace has commented that  “reaffirming the basic rights of the human person: the right to life; the right to human dignity; and the right to those things necessary for life, including personal safety and freedom from fear” requires immediate and urgent attention.

Deacon Winters also added that, “there have been times when we have made great strides but there have also been times where we have fallen short and we will be addressing those points.”

This initial event, by invitation only, will be open to about 120 participants ranging from pastoral ministers to department directors, campus ministers and chaplains. Deacon Winters hopes to offer a larger event in 2014 that will be open to a greater number of people.

The diversity event will give archdiocesan leaders an opportunity to broaden their awareness and appreciation for the diversity of people in the archdiocese. The day will be filled with prayer, learning, fellowship, and worship.

Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will preside and preach at the closing Mass.