In 1985 the national Conference of catholic Bishops issued a Pastoral Letter on Campus Ministry which clearly states the focus and direction of this specialized ministry within the American Church. As stated in Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future, campus ministry is an expression of the Church's desire to be present to all who are involved in higher education and to further the dialogue between the church and the academic community. The church of Cincinnati brings to this dialogue its mission to preach the gospel of Christ and to help the human family achieve its full destiny. Thus, the Church seeks to help higher education attain its lofty goal of developing a culture in which human beings can realize their full potential.

Campus ministry seeks to proclaim the Good News to the academic community and to a pluralistic society in a prophetic yet reconciling voice. lay, religious, and ordained campus ministries constitute this professional , pastoral ministry in the Church of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. These campus ministers gather all members of the church on campus to form the faith community; to appropriate the faith; to form a Christian conscience; to educate for justice; to facilitate personal development; and to develop further leaders for Church and society. With this intention in mind, campus ministry embraces the hope that all individuals will be empowered by the spirit to recognize their own dignity and worth and to reach out to others on the campus to collaborate in building God's kingdom of love and justice.

Campus ministry in the Archdiocese serves Catholic colleges, state universities, community colleges and other private and denominational colleges and universities. funded by the Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Archdiocese, and local parishes involved in this ministry, Campus ministry continues to carry out the Bishop's directive to care for the academic world.