25-01 The Intercultural Church

Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.

This course is based on the bilingual manual Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers, published by the USCCB. Beginning with the mission of the Church and the demands of the New Evangelization, the manual explores what culture is and how it affects us, how to develop intercultural communication skills, how to recognize the damaging dynamics of racism, and finally, how to promote a spirituality of hospitality, reconciliation, and mission.

This course also incorporates readings from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other documents to complement the theological themes of the manual. Each participant will have the opportunity to reflect upon his or her own experience and identify areas for personal growth in developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes for ministry in intercultural contexts.

*Note: Participants in this course must have their own copy of Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (Bilingual). Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 2014.

Course Content

Unit 1: Theological Foundations: Mission and Evangelization

Unit 2: Culture and Intercultural Capacities

Unit 3: Intercultural Communication in Pastoral Ministry

Unit 4: Obstacles: Racism, Prejudice, and Stereotypes

Unit 5: A Spirituality of Reconciliation and Ecclesial Integration

Course Format

• Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
• Up to 20 students in each course.
• Video lectures and assigned readings.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (200-250) required.
• Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.

Participation Requirements

• Watch video summaries and read the assigned chapters for each unit.
• Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
• Answer weekly discussion question. 
• Respond to weekly unit assignment.
• Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
• Complete the course evaluation.

Required Texts

• Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (Bilingual). Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 2014.

Time Expectations

3 to 4 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Course Certificate

An electronic certificate of completion awarding 25 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.

Area: Christian Life