V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

94 | Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry • Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, “The Theological Locus of Ecclesial Movements ” in Proceedings of the World Congress of the Ecclesial Movements , Rome, May 27-29, 1998. • Andrés Arango, Renovación Carismática Católica: Una corriente de gracia, Ave Maria Press, 2019. • Timothy Matovina, “Parishes and Apostolic Movements” in Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, Princeton University Press, 2012. • Brett Hoover and Hosffman Ospino, “Hispanic Ministry and Parish Life” in Hispanic Ministry in the 21 st Century: Urgent Matters, Convivium Press, 2016. • Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, Directory of Associations ( http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/ laityfamilylife/en/sezione-laici/repertorio.html ). VI. Ministerial Area Team • Episcopal Moderator: Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle. • Co-Leaders: Andrés Arango and José Luis (Pepe) Romero. • Panelists: Rayver Galván, Joe Talarico, Susan Talarico, and Timothy Matovina, Ph.D. 6. ECUMENISM I. Vision Hispanic/Latino Catholics, while eager to enter into meaningful dialogue with other Christians, often find themselves unable to do so due to a poor or incomplete religious education. This can include: a lack of education and knowledge regarding the basic tenets of the Catholic faith; knowledge of critical Second Vatican Council documents; and the skills required for ecumenical sharing and dialogue. Catholic witness has been negatively affected as a result. The Second Vatican Council and the V Encuentro call for overcoming obstacles to create positive relationships with other Christians, building on what we hold in common and sharing our Catholic faith with respect and conviction. II. Social and Religious Context in Hispanic Ministry • There is widespread resistance on the part of most Latino clergy and lay Catholics for ecumenical work. Perhaps collaboration with the diocesan offices of liturgy, ecumenism, and evangelization could provide an entryway. • Incessant proselytizing from other groups has divided families and created distrust. The lack of biblical and theological knowledge of many Catholic Latinos has limited collaboration. • Ecumenical work can be a great opportunity to work in cooperation with other Christians for the benefit of the Hispanic community. It would be important to offer biblical and theological training to Hispanic Catholics to prepare them to engage in positive and meaningful dialogue. • Married Hispanic Catholics are increasingly likely to have a spouse who is not Catholic, making the home an ecumenical encounter. III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • The ecumenical vision of the Church has not been communicated well to the Hispanic/Latino Catholic community. There is a great need for education—including apologetics and the tenets of other major Christian traditions—as well as training for dialogue, listening, sharing the faith, and witnessing to Jesus. • Conversation with non-Catholics should center first on what unites us and not what divides us. Better knowledge of Scripture would enhance confidence. Ministerial Area Sessions