Hispanic Catholic priests help build bridges, convention leader says

Last updated on: June 17, 2014 at 10:02 pm by CNA Daily News

Hispanic Catholic priests help build bridges, convention leader says 2014-06-17T22:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Houston, Texas, Jun 17, 2014 / 04:02 pm (CNA).- A national gathering of Hispanic Catholic priests in Houston aims to build community and affirm their role as “bridges” between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic faithful, one leading priest has said.

“We are the bridges between both communities,” Father Andres Mendoza, president of the National Convention of Hispanic Priests, told CNA June 16.

He said the upcoming national convention aims to help priests to understand that they are priests “not only for the Hispanic community, but also for the Anglo community.”

The National Convention of Hispanic Priests of the U.S.A. will hold its 25th national gathering at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Houston Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Evangelium Gaudium” will be one focus of the convention.

The gathering will feature several Masses as well as conferences and workshops. Some convention sponsors will host tables relevant to ministry to Catholic Hispanics.

Fr. Mendoza said that the number of Hispanic seminarians is growing, as is the number of Hispanic priests participating in the convention. More non-Hispanic priests interested in learning about how to serve the Hispanic community are also attending the gathering.

Speakers will include Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio, and Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock.

Auxiliary Bishop George Sheltz of Galveston-Houston will preside at the convention’s opening Mass at St. John Fisher Church in Richmond, Texas. Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin will deliver the homily.

The closing Mass, celebrated by Bishop emeritus Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, N.M., will honor religious sisters who minister to the Hispanic community. A banquet will honor Archbishop emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston with the “El Buen Pastor” award for his leadership and support of Hispanics and Hispanic priest in his archdiocese.

Fr. Mendoza said most Hispanic priests are bilingual and can serve both Spanish- and English-speaking communities.

“That helps us to have a greater vision of the Church in the United States,” he said.

According to Fr. Mendoza, Hispanic priests often suffer from a “lack of leadership” in the U.S. The convention intends to help address this through leadership programs that help Hispanic priests “be more immersed in the pastoral reality of this country.”

More information is available at the convention website www.ansh.org.

Previous Post

June 17, 2014

Christian faith critical for World Cup star Clint Dempsey

Next Post

June 17, 2014 Christians, Shias face uncertain future in face of Iraqi violence

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the mother of Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ruth Sarah Mary Elizabeth