Cultural Diversity in the Church

What Canonization of the Church's Newest Young Saints Teaches Us Older Folks 

By: Most Rev. Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church

Shortly after the announcement of the approval of the canonizations of Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, I was asked in an interview, “What does Carlo Acutis teach the young people today?”  It occurred to me that, the premise of the question is wrong. Certainly, his example inspires many and his virtues are worthy of imitation. But the real question is, “What does Carlo Acutis teach us older folks about what we can learn from our young people?” 

With the canonizations earlier in September, these two young men join the company of young people through the centuries – stretching back to earliest witnesses of Jesus Christ – who teach the world the immense values of friendship with him. 

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Blessed Are the Peacemakers 

By: Maria del Mar Muñoz-Visoso, M.T.S.| Executive Director, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, USCCB

As one enters the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, the eyes immediately turn to the Christ in Majesty Mosaic, the centerpiece of the Great Upper Church. The mosaic presents a manly and muscular depiction of the Son of God as “King of the Universe”, showing both his Lordship and Mercy, according to the Shrine’s explanation. 

Some years back, when our children were young, we brought them to the Basilica for Mass. Pointing to the very mosaic, one of them asked, “Mom, por qué está Jesús enojado? (why is Jesus upset?)” Uninformed as I was then about the image, I just said: “It represents the final judgment. Jesus is giving a warning to those that don’t behave well.” As we shared the anecdote with family and friends over the years, some have asked us to take them to see “el Cristo enojado.” Several have commented that the piercing eyes and severity of expression make the image feel more like a depiction of Christ in the Final Judgement. 

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The Methodology of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the New Evangelization

By: Most Rev. Oscar Cantú | Bishop of San Jose | Chairman of the Subcommittee on Hispanic/Latino Affairs 

Growing up in the U.S. with immigrant parents from Mexico, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was everywhere to be found in our house. I knew well the story of the apparitions of Mary to Juan Diego in 1531, as I had seen the story presented in live plays and heard it recounted multiple times. Those key compassionate words of the Blessed Mother to Juan Diego spoke to me even as a young boy, “Do not let your heart be troubled. Am I not here, who am your mother?” 

Yet, even as I understood and felt Mary’s motherly solicitude for me and all people, especially the forgotten people of the world, I always thought of the Guadalupan message as one primarily of consolation and identification with the lowly (as Juan was a commoner). I would not yet grasp the profound theological and ecclesial message in her apparitions, gestures, and overall message some 500 years ago until much later. These profound messages still speak to us today.

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What's New and Key Documents

• CDC Newsletter: One Church Many Cultures The Good News of Cultural Diversity

• Statement and Video Message: Statement on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Video Message

• Resource: National Black Catholic Congress Pastoral Plan - Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive

• Resource: Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous People

• Resource: Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy A National Pastoral Plan For Hispanic/Latino Ministry