New office created for diversity, disabilities

-A A +A

Bishop Zubik announces merger as part of reorganization 

Bishop David Zubik receives the offertory gifts from Ann Scanlon during the Celebration of Gifts Mass Sept. 30 in the Bishop John McDowell Auditorium at St. Paul Seminary. The bishop said struggles often prohibit us from seeing the light of God that we carry. We must let that light shine brightly in our hearts and lives, he said, so we may show others the way to God. “Pray that we may be proud to take the word of God to the world in which we live,” he said.

By: Robert P. Lockwood

General Manager

As part of the restructuring and reorganization of the diocesan pastoral staff that went into effect Oct. 1, Bishop David Zubik announced the creation of the new Office for Cultural Diversity and Persons with Disabilities.

The new office is a merger of the Office for Black Catholic Ministries and the Office for Persons with Disabilities, together with the Office for Ethnic Ministries.

"There can be no separate church for persons of different races, colors, disabilities or national origins. Indeed, the vitality of the church can truly be measured by how we treat those whom society has often placed on the margins," Bishop Zubik said in a statement making the announcement.

"Yet, sadly, we know that even in our church there are times when race, color, ability or national origin denied people equal access to a place at the table. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has worked for many years to ensure that we recognize all as brothers and sisters, that all are welcomed as persons of dignity and talent, that all are included fully in the life of the church," Bishop Zubik said.

The diocese has maintained an Office for Black Catholic Ministries for 40 years. For 25 years, the diocese has had an Office for Persons with Disabilities.

The director of the new Office for Cultural Diversity and Persons with Disabilities is Greta Stokes Tucker, currently director of the Department for Black Catholic, Ethnic and Cultural Communities.

"Greta is known throughout the Church of Pittsburgh and all of southwest Pennsylvania for her many years of service to our diverse population," Bishop Zubik said.

Loretta Uhlmann, who served as director of the diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities, has been appointed director of the new Office for Adult and Family Formation.

"The merging of the Offices for Black Catholic Ministries, for Ethnic Ministries and for Persons with Disabilities is an expression of the long-standing commitment of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to ensure that there is no separate church for persons of different races, colors, disabilities or national origins. As such, it manifests the priorities and direction of a 'Church Alive!'" Bishop Zubik concluded.

Statement of Bishop David Zubik on the creation of the Office for Cultural Diversity and Persons with Disabilities within the Secretariat for Parish Life of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
All of the baptized share in the dignity and responsibility of adopted sons and daughters of God the Father of all. There can be no separate church for persons of different races, colors, disabilities or national origins. Indeed, the vitality of the church can truly be measured by how we treat those whom society has often placed on the margins.
 Yet, sadly, we know that even in our church there are times when race, color, ability or national origin denied people equal access to a place at the table. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has worked for many years to ensure that we recognize all as brothers and sisters, that all are welcomed as persons of dignity and talent, that all are included fully in the life of the church. 
 For 40 years, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has maintained an Office for Black Catholic Ministries. For 25 years, the diocese has had an Office for Persons with Disabilities.
 As part of the restructuring of the diocesan pastoral staff that goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2012, these two offices, together with the Office for Ethnic Ministries, have been combined to form the new Office for Cultural Diversity and Persons with Disabilities under the Secretariat for Parish Life. 
 The director of this new office will be Greta Stokes Tucker, who is known throughout the Church of Pittsburgh and all of southwest Pennsylvania for her many years of service to our diverse population.
 At the same time, Loretta Uhlmann, who served so ably as director of the diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities, will become director of the Office for Adult and Family Formation in the Secretariat for Catholic Education and Evangelization. 
 The merging of the Offices for Black Catholic Ministries, for Ethnic Ministries and for Persons with Disabilities is an expression of the long-standing commitment of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to ensure that there is no separate church for persons of different races, colors, disabilities or national origins. As such, it manifests the priorities and direction of a "Church Alive!"