V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 117 16. JUSTICE AND PEACE I. Vision There are a broad range of social justice and peace issues that the Hispanic/Latino community faces, including poverty, education, immigration, economic opportunities, support for families, and much more. As ministry leaders identified successful practices and areas where the Church can play a more active role in recognizing the Hispanic/Latino presence in the pews and the broader life of the Church, it was clear that these challenges continue to be areas of opportunity for critical reflection and investment among Church leaders at all levels. As pastoral plans for Hispanic ministry are being developed, there is a need for continuing discernment of the best ways to support the community’s gifts and skills, and to carry out concrete solutions that reflect what it means to be a Church that goes forth. II. Social and Religious Context in Hispanic Ministry • Major social issues in the Hispanic community are: poverty, discrimination, domestic violence, fair wages, immigration, crime, and drugs. Not enough is currently being done to talk about these issues from the pulpit and organize political participation and Hispanic presence in public life. • Youth ministry and other ministries in Latin America have a long and beautiful tradition of social participation and activism, but much of that has been lost in the U.S. because of the fear of deportation. There is a need for a concerted effort to restore the Latino prophetic voice in the public sphere. • The Hispanic/Latino community seeks access to their basic needs, ensure their safety, and continue the growth and enrichment of the community. They seek opportunities that integrate faith and action in all catechesis and ministry, and that provide leadership development to multiple audiences (i.e. families, adolescents, young adults), on areas including pastoral training, lay leader formation, liturgy, and social justice. • Current processes and programs being implemented to raise awareness, inform, and empower young Catholics to act on aspects of social justice are inadequate in content or underutilized. • Current formation of Hispanic/Latino leaders often fails to include education in Catholic social teaching. • Formation also often fails to connect missionary discipleship to the call to go beyond meeting basic needs through charitable works by advocating for social justice/long-term change. • There is a strong desire to support leaders who are interested in filling ministry gaps. For example, developing a consolation ministry that supports those who are experiencing loss, pain, or suffering due to a disability, imprisonment, deportation, sickness, mourning, etc. • Hispanics/Latinos are a multi-generational, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural community with a resilient spirit, close familial bonds, strong values, and a love for community. These values are manifested in the life of the parishes they serve, and they have many gifts and talents to share in Church and society for the common good. • Social indicators of the issues and pastoral responses needed to address the urgent matters impacting the Hispanic/Latino community include: » » Immigration: lack of recognition of the economic contributions of immigrants; detention of families/ minors; Temporary Protected Status (TPS) termination and DACA uncertainty; hunger and poverty among Hispanics/Latinos; and the Muslim travel ban. » » Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): increased college enrollment; and the economic and social contributions of DREAMers. » » Unaccompanied minors: detention of families and children, often with separation of children from their parents; and detention bed quotas. Ministerial Area Sessions