杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Catholics of Hispanic/Latino descent are in the midst of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. Running from 15 September to 15 October, the annual observance provides Catholic Hispanic/Latinos the opportunity of exploring their own contribution in the life of the wider Catholic community in the country.

This year, the month has significant meaning as the Hispanic/Latino Catholic community continues to process the national V Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry that took place in 2018. This year鈥檚 observance, however, also coincides with the publication of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 new Encyclical Fratelli tutti.

In an interview with Bishop Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Chairman of the United States Bishops鈥� Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, explains the gifts that Hispanic/Latino Catholics contribute. These gifts fit in well with 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 proposal of fraternity and social friendship in the Encyclical and are well understood by Hispanic/Latino Catholics because, as Bishop Cepeda says, 鈥渢he 杏MAP导航 speaks our language鈥�.

Context of Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the U.S.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the 鈥渉istoric and current contribution of Hispanic and Latinos and their leadership in all spheres of our Church and our society鈥�, Bishop Cepeda says. In preparation for the last V Encuentro in 2018, he says that significant demographic research was conducted. That research shows that 鈥渇rom 1990 to 2016 the U.S. Hispanic/Latino Catholic population increased by about 13.7 million, while the overall U.S. Catholic population only increased by about 3.6 million.鈥�

This growth is 鈥渟omething to be celebrated鈥�, the Bishop continues. In 2016, about 52% of the general Hispanic/Latino population identified themselves as Catholic when surveyed. If the Hispanic/Latino population continues to grow at the same rate, they will represent about 60% of the Catholic population in the U.S. in the year 2040, Bishop Cepeda says.

Particular gifts

The most important gift that Hispanic/Latino Catholics bring to the Church in the U.S. is the faith, Bishop Cepeda says.

"We celebrate our faith within our Church, in our communities. We celebrate our faith with our families, and we want to continue to celebrate our faith in the larger context of our society.鈥�

Bishop Cepeda then says one of the greatest gifts is the 鈥渟ense of community鈥�that sense of being together, of solidarity, of being united with our own planet, celebrating and respecting life, our own Catholic traditions, our great love for Our Lady and the celebration of our faith through the sacraments.鈥�

This is a sign of hope, the Bishop says, in a society divided by racism that is also grappling with Covid. 鈥淲e find strength within our families鈥�, he said, 鈥渁nd I think that's one of the greatest gifts 鈥�  and that openness to talk to one another, to listen to one another and to be able to encounter one another.鈥�

Latinos with a Latino 杏MAP导航

It was with 鈥済reat joy鈥� that the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. received the news that a fellow Latino had been elected 杏MAP导航 in 2013.

鈥淗e speaks our language. He knows our hearts and we are together with him. 鈥� The best thing about Evangelii gaudium when he talks about a culture of encounter, he's speaking our language. And I think that's so important for us when he invites us to take the first step, to go as a Church that is not afraid to be missionary, that is not afraid to take that first step, to primeriar. We understand that language. And I think that really helps us to move forward as missionary disciples.鈥�