National Profile
In the last two decades, Hispanics of varying nationalities have established a large and growing presence in the Catholic Church. Estimates vary, but certainly no less than a quarter and perhaps as much as 40% of the Catholic-affiliated population is Hispanic. In some dioceses in the Southwest, where Hispanics already constitute a majority of the general population, Hispanics are just as clearly a majority of the Church. By the year 2020, and perhaps even sooner, Hispanics could well surpass Euro-Americans as the Church's largest single ethnic group.
One of the clearest signs of this growing Hispanic presence is the enormous increase in the number of diocesan-level offices charged with ministering to Hispanics. A recent study for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops found that 44 Hispanic Ministry offices had been created since 1990 alone. Some of these offices are entirely new entities, while others are upgraded versions of offices created in earlier years. This expansion of the Hispanic “bureaucracy" is indicative of the Bishop’s deepening commitment to Hispanics; however, much more remains to be done. As the NCCB study indicates, while diocesan plans for Hispanic Ministry frequently exist on paper, real agreement on programs and priorities may be lacking. In addition, collaboration between Hispanic Ministry and other diocesan departments is surprisingly low in most dioceses. When disagreements and conflicts arise, Hispanics and non-Hispanics may be unable to dialogue about their differences to build more enduring cooperation; real and perceived disparities in skills, training, education and language ability (both English and Spanish) can also breed resentments that hinder communication.
This brief profile of diocesan directors for Hispanic Ministry is intended to further the process of incorporating Hispanic Ministry into the Church's daily life. Because Hispanic Ministry has existed on the margins of the Church for so long, very little is known about the talented men and women who serve Hispanics in the dioceses. This profile is intended to fill that void. It offers the first sober and professional look at the Hispanic Ministry directors’ personal and professional backgrounds, their working conditions and aspirations, and their relations with their diocesan counterparts. Profiles of other diocesan directors have been utilized to guide their professional development and to review diocesan programs and priorities. It is our hope that this profile - and future ones sponsored by the dioceses themselves - might serve a similar end.
AUTHOR: Stewart J. Lawrence, Puentes, Inc.,
September 20, 2000, Washington, DC
