I read with enthusiasm, and some skepticism John Rawlinson's article about the dearth of Hispanic ordinands, as well as the ever-present reality of "Anglo" priests serving Hispanic congregations in the Episcopal Church [TLC, May 13].

I agree, we need more Hispanics in ordained ministry. However, this statement presumes that clergy are already identifying potential aspirants in congregations, which further presumes that we are evangelizing by proclaiming the gospel, praying for vocations, and exercising this ministry with a proficiency in Spanish, preferably acquired in the Americas.

While celebrating the Eucharist in Spanish is a good starting point, Anglo priests need to be proficient enough in the language to develop pastoral relationships. Most Episcopal churches are not anywhere near this point, nor are the seminaries proficient in training Anglos to speak in Spanish as needed. Many Anglo priests do not have the discipline to pray the Daily Office. How are they going to make a serious commitment to become fluent in a second language?

We are decades away from having the numbers of Hispanic ordinands to serve the burgeoning Hispanic population in the United States, especially in light of the 2000 census data.

Meanwhile, many Anglo parishes perceive Hispanic ministries as a program to Hispanics, rather than ministry among equal members of the body of Christ. As Bishop Leo Alard of the Diocese of Texas pointed out at a recent evangelism conference in Dallas, churches need to evangelize in the Hispanic community, not just have programs to the Hispanic community.

Regarding Fr. Rawlinson's suggestion to use the Internet as a vehicle for training prospective Hispanic ordinands, I would suggest that the Internet can be a valuable tool, but not the foundation. One of the values of seminary training is living together in community, which wouldn't be possible through the Internet. How would one receive liturgical training, such as learning how to celebrate the Eucharist? How would one pray the Daily Office together, or be part of informal discussions with professors and classmates? And would a large Anglo congregation consider calling a Hispanic ordinand, who had training through the Internet, even if that person spoke English with a British accent?

Another concern is whether these potential ordinands have sufficient foundations in education for graduate-level study. Linda Chavez, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity, and author of Out of the Barrio: Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation, wrote an article distributed by the Washington Post titled "Why aren't more Hispanics college bound?" in which she quoted a U.S. Census Bureau study which suggested that some 80 percent of 25- to 44-year-old native-born Hispanics have graduated from high school. But while 44 percent of young, native-born Latinos have attended college, only 13 percent have graduated. The numbers for Hispanic immigrants are much worse. Fewer than half of foreign-born Hispanics ages 25 to 44 have graduated from high school, less than one-quarter have attended college, and only 9 percent have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

I would suggest an alternative program like the one that exists at New York Theological Seminary, where seminarians work at secular jobs during the day, and study to receive the M.Div. over a four-year period at night. If a seminarian does not have a bachelor's degree, he or she could enroll in an undergraduate program, and then make application to the M. Div. program. There is a sufficient number of professors who are bilingual with whom students could study for one or two years in their native tongue.

Expense is another consideration. A residential, three- or four-year model seminary may be far too isolating, expensive, and impractical for many potential Hispanic ordinands in this country.

I have found the subtle nuances that exist within the Hispanic community, i.e. Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, Colombians, Mexicans, etc., are not divisive issues. The common bond is Jesus Christ, and knowing him crucified and resurrected, as well as sharing his gift to others in the Anglican liturgy in Spanish.

Most important for Hispanic ordinands are these considerations: to know how to preach Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, to understand atonement theology and sacramental theology, to be sensitive to immigration issues, and to be aware that children of first-generation immigrants will separate from their parents as they assimilate in this country, before returning to the roots of their Hispanic identity.

Let us also not assume that all potential Hispanic ordinands in this country, especially those children of first-generation immigrants, can speak and write Spanish fluently.

The Rev. Burton A. Shadow is curate at St. John's Church, Fort Worth, Texas.