This much anticipated pastoral response will guide the Catholic Church in the United States in addressing the pastoral needs of Asian and Pacific Island communities and provide a framework for dioceses and parishes to create pastoral plans specific to their circumstances.

The Asian and Pacific Island population in the United States is the fastest growing minority population, according to research referenced in the document. Yet, this population "tends to go unrecognized in the wider US society, and there remains a need to bring more attention and support to the Asian and Pacific Island communities," the bishops say in the pastoral response.

Encountering Christ in Harmony hopes to advance the Church's mission of evangelization to specific cultural groups; assist dioceses, parish leaders, other Catholic entities, and the faithful in pastoral outreach to Asian and Pacific Island Catholics; and provide resources and information about Asian and Pacific Island Catholic communities. The pastoral statement ends with a Prayer for Encountering Christ in Harmony.

Parishes, dioceses, and others who minister to Asian and Pacific Island Catholic communities will find great support in this pastoral resource!

Quote:

"The goal of this response is to make Asian and Pacific Island Catholics feel at home, both in the Church and in the United States, while being able to preserve the richness of the spiritual and cultural backgrounds that they bring as contributing members of the Body of Christ. Our hope is that it will be utilized by Catholic dioceses, parishes, and small faith communities in the United States to develop their own plans of action and pastoral outreach to Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States." -Encountering Christ in Harmony