Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers Sample Presentation Committee On Cultural Diversity in the Church United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Catholic Families in the United States According to Cultures/Ethnicities African American Family Asian Pacific Islander Family European American Family Hispanic Latino Family Native American Family Migrants, Refugees, People on the Move, Caribbean (Haiti), African…

Underpinnings Theology for Intercultural Ministry Christian Anthropology - (A Christian Understanding of the Human Person) Ecclesiology: The Church as Communion Catholicity: Universality, Unity in Diversity The Church as missionary

 Intercultural Competence is the capacity to: Communicate… Work… Relate… …across cultural boundaries. Intercultural Competence

Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination In-Group and Out-Group Dynamics Ways We Judge the “Other” Chapter Outline

Iceberg Concept of Culture Behaviors/Actions Materials/Objects PerceptionsAssumptions Values Attitudes BeliefsThought PatternsConcepts

Competencies in Intercultural Group Communications Dealing with Conflict Communication Styles Based on Face Management Meeting and Decision Making Leadership

The Mutual Invitation Method (Eric Law) RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION GUIDELINE R : take RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and feel, and speak with words others can hear and understand E : use EMPATHETIC listening, not just words but also feelings being expressed, non-verbal language including silence S : be SENSITIVE to differences in communication styles P : PONDER on what you hear and feel before you speak E : EXAMINE your own assumptions and perceptions C : keep CONFIDENTIALITY T : TRUST the process because we are NOT here to debate who is right or wrong but to experience true dialogue.

CatholicIdentity Belonging Ownership From Newcomers to Stewards of the Faith Community Stewardship Integration/Inclusion

Cycle for Ecclesial Integration/Inclusion Ownership Sense of belonging Hospitality Catholic Identity Stewardship Communion Conversion Mission Solidarity Encounter

 Recognize and affirm cultural, linguistic and racial differences as a gift from God not a problem to be solved  Avoid the temptation to expect others to assimilate into a one-size- fits-all way of doing things

 Be aware of your own cultural heritage  Use the concept of inculturation of the Gospel  Be willing to be a bridge builder rather than a gate- keeper  Avoid the tendency to see your culture as better or more valuable than the cultures of others, and the we—they language  Commit to the spirit of mission of the New Evangelization and its ongoing transformation of all cultures by the Gospel values

 First listen and welcome the unique perspectives of diverse people you are working with  Include them, from the beginning, in the development of plans, programs and activities  Avoid planning for others and judging them when they don’t show up to your activity

 Recognize the unique experiences, needs, and aspirations of each cultural/ethnic community  Understand that the existence of more than one cultural/racial group in your parish as a blessing  Promote the formation of culturally specific groups and apostolic movements  Avoid the perception that allowing the formation of culturally specific groups creates division or separation  Commit to creating welcoming spaces for all Catholic people living in your parish

 Understand the way in which people from different cultures view leadership, organize themselves and make decisions  Identify indigenous leaders and mentor them into leadership positions in ministry within their own cultural/ethnic community and beyond  Avoid a mentality of scarcity- ‘there is not enough for everyone’- and foster a vision of mission and growth that generates more resources