Historical Memory for Hispanic/Latino Ministry

1945

Office for the Spanish Speaking is established under the auspices of the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) and promoted by Bishop Robert E. Lucey, Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.

1969

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) establishes the Division for the Spanish Speaking under the auspices of the Department of Social Development.

1970

Archbishop Patrick Flores is named first U.S. Hispanic bishop.

1972

First National Hispanic Encuentro calls for greater participation of the Spanish speaking in leadership and decision-making roles at all levels within the Catholic Church and for the establishment of structures for ministry to be implemented.

1974

The Division for the Spanish Speaking of the Department of Social Development is elevated to the NCCB Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs.

1977

Second National Hispanic Encuentro recommendations express the desire of grassroots Hispanics for a more responsive, multicultural, spiritually alive, united, and creative Church through a process of evangelization.

1982

The Bishops Speak with the Virgin: A Pastoral Letter of the Hispanic Bishops of the United States is published, presenting the message of our pilgrimage through history, our reality, and our role as artisans of a new humanity, courage, and hope.

1983

The U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter, The Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment, is published. The U.S. bishops call Hispanic Catholics to raise their prophetic voices again in a Third Encuentro.

1985

Third National Hispanic Encuentro process involves more than half a million Hispanics in a grassroots consultation that led to the development of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry.

1986

Prophetic Voices is published: The history and process for consultation of the Third National Pastoral Encuentro.

1987

The Catholic bishops unanimously approve the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry. The Plan provides pastoral priorities and action for Hispanic ministry at the diocesan, regional, and parish levels.

1990

Bishop’s Committee on Hispanic Affairs statement Leaven for the    Kingdom of God is published.

1992

First Congress of Roots and Wings takes place in Los Angeles, CA

1995

Communion and Mission, a guide on small church communities, is published.

1995

The U.S. Hispanic bishops convoke Hispanic Ministries directors and coordinators to commemorate and celebrate the collaboration and communion of fifty years of a national ministry effort.

1995

Pastoral statement The Hispanic Presence in the New Evangelization in the United States is published.

1996

Second Congress of Roots and Wings takes place in Chicago, IL

1997

Synod of Bishops for America takes place. The U.S. bishops approve the convoking of a fourth national Encuentro.

1998

One Faith, One Church, One America: Symposium with the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) on Catechesis ‘98

1999

Pope John Paul II promulgates Ecclesia in America in Mexico City.

1999

Hispanic Ministry at the Turn of the New Millennium: A Report of the Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic Affairs is published.

1999

Many Faces in God’s House: A Catholic Vision for the New Millennium, a parish guide to prepare for Encuentro 2000, is published.

2000

Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God’s House is held in Los Angeles, California, with the participation of more than 5,000 church leaders representing 150 dioceses and  157 different ethnic groups and nationalities. 

2001

The Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic Affairs convokes the leadership in Hispanic Ministry to a National Symposium to refocus Hispanic ministry for the new century.

2002

Encuentro and Mission: A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry is published.

2003

III Congress of Roots and Wings takes place at the University of Notre Dame.

2004

The Committee for Hispanic Affairs approves the preparation for the First National Encounter for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

 2006

Celebration of the First National Encounter for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the University of Notre Dame.

 2006

Best Practices in Diocesan Ministry among Hispanics/Latinos is published.

 2007

The Committee for Hispanic Affairs is replaced by the Subcommittee for Hispanic Affairs.

2008

The Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs is incorporated into the USCCB new structure, under the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church.

2009

Conclusions of the First National Encuentro for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry is published

2009

Publication of the study on National and Regional Hispanic Catholic Ministry Organizational Initiatives: An Assessment; by William D. Dinges, PhD.

2010

IV Congress of Roots and Wings takes place in Chicago. IL

2011

Hispanic / Latino Bishops publish a letter addressed to undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

2011

Emerging Hispanic Catholic Leadership Gathering in San Antonio, Texas

2012

The Ministerio Hispano Presente, Pasado y Futuro: Un Nuevo Comienzo is published.

2012

National celebration in Chicago, IL to commemorate significant anniversaries on Hispanic Ministry, including the 21st Anniversary of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry, NCADDHM.