Chapter 11

Cultural Unity

Unity in Diversity

Gathering as One

“As the Church in the Diocese of San Diego, we must strive to build love and unity in the midst of our diversity. Pope Francis explains that, ‘Unity does not imply uniformity; it does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Nor does it signify a loss of identity. Unity in diversity is actually the opposite: it involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one and the placing of these gifts at the service of all members of the Church. It means knowing how to listen, to accept differences, and having the freedom to think differently and express oneself with complete respect towards the other who is my brother or sister.’ He then concluded, ‘Do not be afraid of differences!’ (Address to Catholic Fraternity of the Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowship, Oct. 31, 2014.)

 

“However, unity and love require humility. One of the first disruptions in building unity is believing that I’m better or superior to others, or the Pharisaic mentality that ‘I’m not a sinner like that other one.’ Jesus taught that the greatest is the one who serves (Luke, 22:27), and St. Paul says that we must consider others more important than ourselves (Phil, 2:3)

 

“Our Bishop, Michael Pham, continuing the labor of Cardinal McElroy, is working to build this culture of synodality, where we listen to each other with an open heart and respect, where we listen to the Holy Spirit, and in communion, then walk together. As a Church, we are called to sow unity and acceptance, not division.

 

“We are celebrating now the Sacrament of unity, the Eucharist. The Eucharist makes the Church! The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that one of the main fruits of Holy Communion is union. ‘Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it, Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body — the Church.’

 

“Our response to the words ‘The Body of Christ,’ must instill in us that desire to strive for unity. Now that we have an Augustinian Pope, I better use more quotes from St. Augustine. He has this beautiful one about our act of receiving Holy Communion. ‘If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive. To that which you are you respond “Amen” (“yes, it is true!”) and by responding to it you assent to it. For you hear the words, “the Body of Christ” and respond “Amen.” Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your ‘“Amen” may be true.

 

“May our ‘Amen’ today be a witness to unity and love.”

 

– Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano

Our diocese’s Office for Ethnic and Intercultural  Communities testifies so powerfully to the many gifts given to each culture and community, and how our Church is made stronger, better, richer and deeper by them.

The Office bears witness that we are stronger in the world when we stand together as One Body. And that we, the people of all lands, are brothers and sisters in Christ, and called to serve each other, respect each other, reach out to each other, accompany each other in this world.

This fellowship serves as a potent response to the corrosive forces in our society that seek to divide individuals, neighbors and countries. By fostering understanding and unity among all of our communities, the Office is serving not only our local Church but society as a whole.

Whether celebrating each community’s unique faith traditions or Gathering As One, the Office invites each Catholic to discover his or her own cultural roots and the many expressions of our truly universal Church.

– Cardinal Robert W. McElroy

A statue depicting a crowned woman holding a child, surrounded by figures of various ethnicities and ages. The woman's robe is gold and white, and the figures stand on a cloud-like base labeled "Our Lady, Mother of the Church."

Mission

The Office for Ethnic and Intercultural Communities is committed to the inclusion and fuller participation of all God’s people in the life and ministry of the Church by building up their Catholic identity in a spirit of unity
in diversity.

 

The Office, in collaboration with Diocesan Pastoral Ministries and organizations, provides resources and services that:

  • Promotes ongoing dialogue, cultural awareness and understanding of the Ethnic Catholic communities within the Diocese;
  • Encourages parish and diocesan connections with those groups that do not have a parish representative body;
  • Empowers ethnic leaders to build up faith communities in the Church;
  • Builds coalitions among ethnic groups by encouraging leadership in the pursuit for spiritual growth.
A spacious church interior with wooden pews arranged in rows, stone columns supporting arched ceilings, and a prominent altar at the front. Stained glass windows line the walls, and a baptismal font is seen in the foreground.

Visiting Priests Protocol

In the Diocese of San Diego, ALL clergy from outside the diocese who will be engaging in ministry within the Diocese, must submit a Testimonial of Suitability prior to their visit. These documents must be dated within three (3) months of event(s).

In addition, parish and diocesan groups should have the Ministry Event Details approved by their pastor and the Vicar for Clergy prior to extending invitations to clergy and religious.

For more information, contact the Vicar for
Clergy (858) 490-8200

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About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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