UD Announces Partnership with Atlanta Archdiocese

Date published: April 21, 2016
The University of Dallas and the Archdiocese of Atlanta announced a partnership that
will provide pastoral ministry leaders an opportunity to become effective and inspirational
bridge-builders between diverse cultures. As a result, the university will now offer
its new intercultural ministry course, "Weaving Together a Culturally Diverse Church,”
to the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
“We seek to transform students into leaders, not just for their communities but for
the country,” said School of Ministry Dean Ted Whapham. “Our partnership with the
Archdiocese of Atlanta brings together two of our nation’s thriving faith communities
in this mission of service.”
"Weaving Together a Culturally Diverse Church" is a six-week online course, where
students are equipped with an ecclesial vision of communion and mission and its application
in the context of culturally diverse parishes and dioceses. Most importantly, students
gain the theoretical and practical knowledge to communicate the Catholic faith effectively
to an increasingly diverse world.
Course instructor Alejandro Aguilera-Titus offers 30 years of ministry experience
and is a nationally known speaker and writer highly regarded for his practical application
of theology to ministry in culturally diverse settings. He holds a master’s degree
in theology from the University of Portland and is a doctor of ministry candidate
at Barry University. Aguilera-Titus currently works at the Secretariat of Cultural
Diversity in the Church for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“We have a very diverse community and this is something we have been looking to implement,”
said the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Director of the Office of Intercultural and Ethnic
Diversity, Jairo Martinez. “It’s one of our goals that all archdiocesan employees,
clergy and lay leaders take this online course. This is a wonderful thing. Everyone
will have easy access now, because sometimes it’s difficult for people to meet in
the classroom.”