The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) felt it important to ensure that the work we do is a true reflection of Christ's body. As such, our first two goals are a commitment to inclusion of peoples of all ethnic backgrounds. This means that at a diocesan level, we need to respect the experiences of people by age, gender, abilities, generation and culture. As such, Bishop DiLorenzo has instructed the ethnic offices and the ethnic ministries advisory board to develop a strategic plan to integrate more cultural diversity into our diocesan commissions, advisory boards, and councils and provide opportunities for the diocesan staff to engage in activities that enhances their understanding of cultural diversity.
Cultural Diversity Initiative Team at the Pastoral Center
The Cultural Diversity Initiative team began March 2009. Their focus will be how to implement cultural diversity specifically at the Pastoral Center.
Members:
- Msgr. Francis Meunch, Tribunal/Vicar of the Eastern Vicariote
- Fr. Peter Akgokian, Tribunal/Parorchial Vicar, St. Patricks, Richmond
- Fr. Steve Antez, Pastor, St. Joseph, Petersburg
- Patrice Barkster, Human Resources
- Sandra Survello, Office of Christian Formation
- Peter Hains, Facilities Office
- Nita Grignol, Office of Disabilities
- Pam Harris, Office for Black Catholics/Asian Ministry
- Erik Giblin, Office of the Hispanic Apostolate
Ethnic Ministries Advisory Board
Members on this board are representatives of the different ethnic communities in the Richmond Diocese, that meet a minimum of twice a year with the Bishop to discuss the different issues in order the for the Bishop to be able to respond if necessary. This board ensures that each culture is able to blend their cultural experience with their faith in order for their Eucharist to be enhanced though their cultural lens.
NEXT Meeting: April 1, 2010
Diocesan Communities
Native American Catholics
Native Americans were the first people to hear the word of God in the new world. Families that responded to the Gospel in the seventeenth century in what are now the states of Arizona, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Texas remain faithful Catholics nearly four hundred years later. Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. identify themselves as Native American or Alaska Native. An additional 1.6 million people claim some degree of Native ancestry. Data from the US census says that there are approximately 680,000 Native American Catholics in the country. It is estimated that there are 680,000 Native American Catholics in the country with approximately 1% living here in the Richmond Diocese. The Richmond Diocese is in the process of establishing a Native American ministry.
Hispanic/Latino Community
With more than 30 million Hispanic/Latino Catholics living in the United States, the future of the Church depends in great measure on the leadership that we offer and much in the same manner same manner as the bishops describe it in Encuentro & Mission: A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry.
The Richmond Diocese is responding to the needs of our Hispanic/Latino Community through our Office of Hispanic Apostolate and Hispanic Commission.
African Community
The Diocese has a large African Community that come from many different countries and tribes.
The Bishop and his staff are working to make sure the spiritual needs of these communities are being met.
Filipino Community
Established to meet the spiritual needs of people from the different islands of the Philippines.
- San Lorenzo Spiritual Center
- Filipino Apostolate
- Filipino Commission
Vietnamese Community
There are approximately 900,000 Vietnamese currently living in the United States; an estimated 200,000 of them are Catholic. There are 415 Vietnamese priests and more than 400 Vietnamese religious sisters living in the United States. Read the history of Vietnamese Catholics.
Parishes:
- Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs
- Our Lady of Lavang – Vietnam (two locations: Norfolk & Hampton)
Korean Community
There are approximately 80,000 Korean Catholics in the United States. In the Diocese of Richmond, Koreans represent less than 1% of Catholics, however, the Korean Catholic population is very strong and rich with cultural traditions. Korean Catholics are represented on the Diocesan Ethnic Ministries Advisory Board. Read the history of Korean Catholics.
Parishes:
Brazilian Community
The country of Brazil is said to be the largest Catholic country in the world. There is a growing Brazilian
Community in the Richmond and surrounding areas. Many Brazilians in the Unites States are refugees. The Bishop and his staff are working making sure the spiritual needs of this community are being met in the Richmond Diocese.
Burmese Community
There is a small, but growing Burmese Catholic Community in Roanoke. At this time the Refugee and Immigration Service is assisting with support for the community and some volunteers are attempting to provide liturgy in their language.
Caribbean Community
Catholics from the Caribbean can mostly be found in the state colleges in the universities. The Diocese will find ways to ensure we are ministering to this community.
Haitian Community
Through the Office of Justice & Peace, the Richmond Diocese has outreach to the people of Haiti. There are regular Haiti gatherings in the different regions of the diocese. For more information, visit the Haiti Outreach Mission of the Dicoese.