Nourishing Trust and Friendship: The USCCA Celebrates Its 30th International Conference in Houston
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
by Fr. Joseph Ruan
HOUSTON, Texas — Aug. 2, 2026 — The US-China Catholic Association (USCCA) concluded its 30th International Conference on Aug. 2 at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Held from July 31 through Aug. 2, the three-day gathering brought together a bishop, priests, religious sisters and brothers, scholars, pastoral leaders and lay faithful for prayer, dialogue, scholarship and fellowship.
Founded in 1989 by concerned U.S. bishops together with Maryknoll, the Society of Jesus and representatives of other religious communities, the US-China Catholic Association promotes mutual understanding, friendship and fraternal ties between Catholics in China and the United States through prayer, education, academic exchange and pastoral collaboration.
Centered on the theme “Nourishing Trust and Friendship: Following the Way of Christ,” the conference reflected the USCCA's enduring mission of fostering friendship, mutual understanding and communion between the Church in China, the Church in the United States and the universal Church. Through a keynote address, academic presentations, panel discussions, workshops and liturgical celebrations, participants explored how trust, personal encounter and Christian friendship can strengthen the Church's witness across cultures and national boundaries.
Sessions examined faith formation and communicative catechesis in China, the spiritual lives of Chinese religious sisters, the celebration of the Easter Triduum in Beijing, Chinese wisdom in dialogue with Christian faith, and the pastoral accompaniment of Chinese international students studying at American universities.
Other presentations focused on Catholic social services, missionary history, intercultural Christianity, psychological and spiritual formation among women religious, Catholic life across cultures and the witness of the first Chinese religious communities.
Presenters represented universities, seminaries, dioceses, parishes, foundations and Catholic organizations from the United States, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Belgium, Italy and the Philippines. Together, their scholarship and pastoral experience reflected the diversity of the worldwide Chinese Catholic experience while demonstrating a shared commitment to dialogue, mutual understanding and collaboration in the service of the Gospel.
Looking Toward the Future
The final day featured workshops and panel discussions on China–Holy See relations, intercultural Christianity, biblical studies and historical perspectives on Catholicism in China. A concluding multi-generational panel, “The Past and Present of Catholicism in China,” brought together speakers from different generations to share personal experiences of visiting China, growing up in Catholic families and villages, witnessing the resilience of Chinese Catholics and accompanying younger generations as they look toward the future of the Church.
Throughout the conference, participants experienced a central conviction: authentic dialogue begins with personal encounter. Trust grows through attentive listening. Friendship develops through shared faith, mutual respect, and the willingness to walk together in hope. In a world often marked by misunderstanding and division, the Gospel continues to call Christians to become bridge-builders and witnesses to reconciliation.
At the end of the three-day Conference, participants departed Houston renewed in faith and strengthened by friendship. With their hearts and minds refreshed by God and by each other, they looked toward the future with fervent hope and a shared commitment to walk together in faith and build bridges between the Church in China and the Church in the United States.
Fr. (Joseph) Guozhang Ruan was born and ordained in China. After serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Mindong, Fujian, he pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Rome, earning a doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since coming to the United States in 2004, he has served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the Director of the Chinese Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New York and Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island. His ministry focuses on serving Chinese Catholics, promoting evangelization, and fostering greater understanding between the Church in China and the universal Church.
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