In 1994, Archbishop Daniel Buechlein and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis felt the need for a change of direction in ministry to the diverse ethnic groups within the Archdiocese. The idea was to establish a multicultural commission to serve as a coordinating body for the ministry needs of all these groups. In preparation for this, focus groups were held throughout the archdiocese, resulting in the formation of a committee to work on the structure. From these meetings emerged the Multicultural Ministry Commission.

Shortly thereafter, Archbishop Daniel Buechlein appointed Fr. Kenneth Taylor as Director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Multicultural Ministry. This provided the archdiocese with a staff member responsible for carrying out the Commission’s work.

Since this was a new initiative for the archdiocese, the first task was to develop a strategic plan for the Commission and the work of Multicultural Ministry. Ms. Doris Parker facilitated the Commission through this process.

In August 2013, Fr. Moisés Gutiérrez was appointed Director of this office. Shortly thereafter, the office's name was changed to the Office of Intercultural Ministry. A new Commission was created: the Commission for Intercultural Pastoral Care, composed of four Advisory Committees: African American Catholics, Hispanic Catholics, French Catholics, and Asian Pacific Islanders (Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Korea). In October of that same year, the Commission held its first meeting, facilitated by Sr. Catherin Schneider, OSF. As a result, we developed the process for creating a new integrated pastoral plan for intercultural ministry.

Today, our office continues its mission of serving the culturally diverse Church in Central and Southern Indiana through various programs that ensure the participation and involvement of our community, both spiritually and socially. We want our families to be true agents of change in our society, where we all share our faith and seek the common good.