The universality, diversity and unity of the Body of Christ is at the heart of our commitment to building a multicultural local Church. In Jesus, we are one body. We are more one than we are diverse. Being one in the Body of Christ is our deepest identity. Our task is to make the openness visible, tangible and life-giving within our rich diversity. The whole Church is called to make the journey of greater awareness, inclusiveness and respect for all who make up the Body of Christ. To be a Church that embraces cultural diversity and brings diverse cultures together in mutual appreciation and respect is a sign of promise in a divided world (Taken from the "We are one Body" Brisbane Catholic Archdiocesan Multicultural Guidelines). The Brisbane Catholic Church not only supports and assists Catholic Ethnic Communities and people on the move in the Archdiocese, but also calls them into a way of living and relating to the rest of the Church and wider world. Ethnic communities and people on the move are called to bring their own culturally diverse contribution to the active living out of the mission, directions and priorities of the Church in the Archdiocese. These communities are supported by Ethnic Ministers of their own ethnic communities. Ethnic Ministers not only provide for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the people but also act as bridge builders between the ethnic communities and the local Church. Ethnic Ministers also provide for the sacramental needs of their communities with Catholic Ethnic Community Masses being celebrated within a number of parishes right across the Brisbane Archdiocese. The Archdiocese of Brisbane has established the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care (CMPC) as its official agency to ensure that the Church's multicultural reality is recognised and included in the ongoing life and mission of the local Church. CMPC has been given the task of: - Coordination and direction to parishes responding to the needs of ethnic communities.
- Assistance to parishes, schools and Church agencies to ensure the provision of culturally sensitive responses to migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.
- Advice and consultancy to government and non-government agencies.
- Advice and consultancy to government and non-government agencies.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane constantly works at being a welcoming and inclusive Church.
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