V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry | 121 • Latinas also have the least access to healthcare of any group of women. In 2016, 20.5% of Latina women were uninsured compared to just 5%, 7%, 10%, and 15% of White, Black, Asian, and other women, respectively. The situation is even more severe for immigrant women: 30% are uninsured. 20 • Lack of access to healthcare for oneself and one’s family leads to chronic conditions that steal time from both work and school, often meaning losing a job or failing in school due to health-related absences. 21 • Latina women make regular recommendations on social media, 11% more than the average Internet user. About 19% of Latina women are described as influencers. 22 • Among those in charge of Spanish religious education programs in parishes, 60% are lay women and 7% are vowed women religious. • About 20% of diocesan directors of Hispanic ministry are lay women, and 11% are vowed religious sisters. • Roughly one in five pastoral leaders serving Hispanic Catholics in parishes and dioceses are not compensated; the majority are lay women and men. 23 • Centuries of cultural norms continue to form barriers and limit the development of Latinas. • Women in general, and Latinas in particular, have not been respectfully included in the decisions and operations of the Church at all levels, despite being the primary supports of ecclesial life. • As demonstrated by the V Encuentro itself, much more needs to be done to provide opportunities for full participation and authentic belonging in the Church for Latinas, and to nurture the desire for such belonging among young Latinas. III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • Offer Latinas more support for educational achievement and vocational or professional life discernment, including mentorships, encounters with local communities of consecrated life, retreats and resources, and peer support groups. • Work collaboratively with men to combat sexismo/machismo in the Church, and work towards full participation and empowerment of Latinas at all levels, particularly in pastoral or administrative decision- making positions that do not implicitly require ordination. Bring the feminine genius on! • Latinas have an important role to play in helping to cope with, heal, and overcome abuse in the Church. 24 Women are healers. They are also wonderful mediators and natural group leaders. IV. Successful and Exemplary Practices • Review Hispanic ministry programs and processes to ensure adequate pastoral attention to all women, particularly widows, divorced or separated, single mothers, and pregnant teens. • Create mentorship networks and “coaching”—for and by Latina women—that address the spiritual life; affective, social and psychological development; and practical life advice. 20 Ibid. 21 Patricia Gándara and The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, “Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015”. 22 AHAA Hispanic Market Guide 2017 ( http://culturemarketingcouncil.org/Portals/0/directory%202017/ahaa-2017.html ). 23 Hosffman Ospino, “Hispanic Ministry in Catholic Parishes: A Summary Report of Findings from the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry,” Boston College. 24 As a concrete example of this, two Latinas were invited to address the November 2018 USCCB General Assembly on this topic – Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI and Christina Lamas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJdLwR9vLqs&index=5&list=PLpTzvCO Ja7DAB6xlhQvgvtJgVpWQ3-Ip2 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QuOcOBGJFY&index=4&list=PLpTzvCOJa7DAB6 xlhQvgvtJgVpWQ3-Ip2 . Ministerial Area Sessions