Hispanic ministry leaders from across the nation will gather for Raíces y Alas 2022, the Sixth National Leadership Congress on Hispanic Ministry, April 26-30 in Arlington.
The meeting’s theme in English is “Roots and Wings 2022, Prophetic Voices: Being Bridges to a New Era.” It is hosted by the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Hispanic/Latino Affairs.
“We are excited to host this congress here in our own diocese of Arlington,” said Joel de Loera, director of the diocesan Spanish Apostolate office, one of the organizers. Father Jamie R. Workman, vicar general, will welcome participants and offer opening remarks.
The meeting’s focus will be on four pastoral priorities: family, Hispanic youth ministry, social justice and pastoral formation. A report will be presented to the USCCB as the leadership’s contributions for the national Hispanic ministry plan being proposed by the bishops.
Participants will engage in in-depth dialogue “to discern and develop pastoral responses and initiatives to the ministerial priorities documented in the Conclusions of the V Encuentro and in the post-pandemic reality,” according to the website.
The congress also will include a day of advocacy April 27, during which Hispanic ministry leaders will meet with their legislators on Capitol Hill to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and other issues, de Loera said. After those meetings, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge will concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Bishop Burbidge also will attend the dinner following the Mass, and will meet with other bishops at a breakfast Thursday.
“Bishop Burbidge knows we have so many Hispanic leaders who are formed and ready to share the good news of Jesus,” de Loera said, adding that he is interested in discussing topics related to family and young adults with other leaders from around the nation.
“We need stronger and more faithful marriages, families and young people,” he said. “Our hope is that we have an honest conversation about the state of our current Hispanic church” in the United States.
“Yes, we will soon be the majority of Catholics in the country, if not already, but we need to look for more effective ways to minister to these families, so that they don’t just remain Catholic, but truly embrace their vocation to holiness,” he said. “A marriage between one man and one woman that is faithful and open to life is the most profound image of God’s love for humanity. We need to teach our young people that, starting with our own example.”
Find out more
The main event location is the Doubletree by Hilton, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington. Registration for the Congress is now closed, but several sessions will be livestreamed.
For more information, visit the congress website at ncchm-us.org or contact the Spanish Apostolate office, 703/841-3883.
