Dear Friends in Christ,

On January 1, 2008 a reorganization of the USCCB went into effect. One of the results of this was the creation of one of the largest committees of the Bishops’ Conference, the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. I was honored to be elected first chairman of this committee at the bishops’ November 2007 annual meeting in Baltimore.

Five subcommittees (Hispanic, African American, Native American, Asian Pacific and Migrants, Refugees and Travelers) were also created whose chairmen serve as members of the standing committee. The full Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church has 42 bishops of many diverse ethnic backgrounds. It is a source of great pride to see the universal Church so well represented in our Committee and to be entrusted by the USCCB with the task of furthering the participation of all God’s People in the life of the Church.

To further the Church’s evangelizing mission, the bishops have provided our Committee on Cultural Diversity with an able staff of 11 persons in the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity under the direction of Jesuit Father Allan Figueroa Deck. It is my hope to begin to clarify the mission of the Secretariat within the larger context of the changes taking place at the USCCB. In this way our Committee and Subcommittees will be more responsive to the plans and priorities of the entire body of bishops and effective in the service of a Church that is ever more diverse.

I am aware of the challenges faced by our Committee and Sub-Committees in creating an effective new structure to respond to the numerous and urgent needs of Church and society today within the context of many cultures and races. I accept with great enthusiasm the challenge given to us to grow in real catholicity. I invite you to join us through prayer and action in opening a new chapter in the history of the Church in this one continent of America.

Yours sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend José H. Gómez, S.T.D.
Archbishop of San Antonio