A two-day event held at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus brought Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Catholics together to discuss urgent realities facing the Church.

Ministry leaders in the diocese belonging to API communities met April 10-11 and addressed a variety of pressing issues: generational wounds, family separation, discrimination and mental health burdens. The consultation provided a space to listen, discern and respond.

API leaders participated in activities fostering spiritual formation, cultural healing, bridge building, pastoral care and advocacy, and stewardship.

The regional consultation, one of several to take place nationwide, was initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs (SCAPA). The event served as a response to the USCCB’s National Pastoral Plan offered to API Catholics.

SCAPA, under the direction of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity within the Church, works with committees and affirms the contributions of API Catholics. The subcommittee provides opportunities for API communities to engage in the life of the Church.

Father Joseph Bay, pastor at Columbus Ss. Augustine and Gabriel Church, home to the Vietnamese Catholic community, introduces himself during the Asian and Pacific Islander regional consultation at the Pontifical College Josephinum as Clarissa Martinez, assistant director for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs, watches from behind.

“In the last five years, there’s so many developments,” said Clarissa Martinez, assistant director for SCAPA. “There’s so much evolution. There’s so much emerging – new leaders, new challenges – which opens up new priorities and new opportunities for us to be able to hear that.”

The two-day regional event in Columbus brought API Catholics together from as far as Hawaii.

Seventy-eight lay leaders, clergy and consecrated religious represented the Dioceses of Columbus; Cleveland; Cincinnati; Honolulu; Arlington, Virginia; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Archdioceses of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee.

“We feel that having it regionally kind of gives us a little bit more of a sense of … different struggles and different challenges. And so, that presents different priorities, and also, things that we want to be attentive to,” Martinez said.

Asian and Pacific Islander (API) clergy spend time discussing realities facing API Catholics in the United States during a two-day consultation held at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Attendees included consecrated religious belonging to the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – FIH and FIHM – originally from India; international priests; members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Couples for Christ International, Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement and El Shaddai Prayer Partners Foundation; parish staff; a seminarian from the Columbus diocese; and pre-propaedeutic seminarian who will begin an initial year of formation for the priesthood for the diocese in the fall.

API Catholics represented countries including South Korea, the Philippines, India, China, Burma, Laos and Vietnam. Hmong, an ethnic group originally from China with a unique language and culture, was also represented.

Through a series of “movements,” participants engaged in small-group discussion and individual reflection.

The first movement invited attendees to remember their ancestors and celebrate API legacies. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their leaders, not simply as delegates to the United States, but bearers of memory, culture and hope.

Rhodora Dammarell (left), a native of the Philippines, discusses realities facing Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Catholics in the United States, including social justice issues, mental health and global migration, as Lorena Ritchey (second from left) and two API Catholics from Hawaii listen.

The second movement focused on the spiritual depth, resilience and pastoral needs of API Catholics.

Bishop Earl Fernandes, who serves as chairman of SCAPA, offered a keynote.

The bishop recognized that many API Catholics feel marginalized and unseen in parishes. He affirmed that their communities offer “radiant gifts” and a missionary spirit, which can be harmonized in the U.S. Church.

He noted that API Catholics strengthen the Church’s catholicity, or universality.

The bishop also recognized the “great esteem” API laity and religious have for their elders and traditions, which, he added, is manifested in respect for and obedience to Church authority and humble service.

Jerome Kwak, a member of the St. Andrew Kim Taegon Korean Catholic community in Columbus, prays during a Mass offered as part of an Asian and Pacific Islander regional consultation organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Fernandes added that API Catholics offer a personal witness and lived experience.

Vietnamese, Hmong and Burmese, he noted as an example, have suffered persecution, imprisonment and exile. API communities, separated from their family, home and culture, can experience profound loneliness.

The bishop also spoke to recent scandals, financial losses and bankruptcies that have “humbled” the Church. He pointed out that many API Catholics understand the reality of being reduced to poverty.

“The experience of this should be shared with the Church in the United States as an antidote for the worldliness that has infected the Church,” he affirmed.

He also recognized the Church’s ongoing efforts to evangelize young people.

The bishop credited API communities for preserving and promoting apostolates, such as the Apostleship of Prayer and Legion of Mary, and leading movements, including the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement.

“In my opinion, the Church in the United States has become too sterile, devoid of piety and devotion,” he said. “Hispanic Catholics and API Catholics, with their Marian devotion and pious practices, can help.”

Asian and Pacific Islander clergy process into St. Turibius Chapel at the Pontifical College Josephinum for Mass on Friday, April 10.

Bishop Fernandes celebrated Mass for API Catholics in the Josephinum’s St. Tiberius Chapel on campus. Several API clergy in attendance concelebrated.

“It’s even more special to me to feel a sense of belonging,” Lorena Ritchey, a Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare parishioner originally from the Philippines, reflected on the day.

The wife and mother, who serves on the board of The Catholic Foundation, was raised overseas and immigrated to the United States for college.

“We’re growing and there’s movement – and we’re getting more vocal,” she said of API communities. “Given the diversification, especially in Columbus, Ohio, I think we’re just beginning to reach and truly, truly feel called by the Lord to put voice to our mission.”

During the afternoon of the first day of the consultation, API leaders discussed various topics: an ecclesial vision and transmission of faith, lay ecclesial movements and popular devotions, social justice issues, mental health and radicalization, and global migration and building bridges with home countries.

API ministry leaders were also given time to discern co-responsibility for pressing issues and how to accompany their brother and sister API Catholics.

Yoon Baek, a native of South Korea who has lived in the United States for about a year, observes various Asian-inspired sacred art, statues and relics on display.

“The voices that we’re hearing from the communities themselves help us, and that gives us that framework,” Martinez said. “We do need them to start coming together so that they can … accompany one another.”

The final movement of the first day included time for prayer and silence. Individuals reflected on stories that were shared and spent time in prayerful contemplation.

The second day of the consultation on Saturday, April 11 concluded with discussions moving from discernment to integration.