Consultation Views Hispanic Ministry
Episcopal News Service. February 7, 1985 [85027]
PASADENA, Calif. (DPS, Feb. 7) -- A national Hispanic ministry consultation, held at All Saints Parish here late last year, brought together bishops, clergy and laity from a wide variety of locales, circumstances, ministries and ethnic backgrounds, at the invitation of the Episcopal Church Center's national Hispanic officer, the Rev. Herbert Arrunategui.
Specific purposes of the consultation were to review work done in Hispanic ministry in the period 1982-84 at diocesan and parochial levels, and the role of the national Hispanic officer during that period; to make recommendations on what the consultation participants would like to see happen in Hispanic ministry in 1985-88 and to define the implications of these expectations for the National Hispanic Office; and to draft a statement on the theological basis for Hispanic ministry. In addition, the results of this consultation, together with any work growing out of it, are to be included in a report to the 1985 General Convention.
Arrunategui, with the aid of a design team consisting of the Rev. Fred Howard and the Rev. Richard Gary, both of the Episcopal Church Center, and Dr. Leonel Valdivia, created a situation in which a great deal of work could be done in a short time by surveying the participants and collating and distributing the results of this survey before the actual meeting. This allowed those taking part to arrive prepared to discuss the issues with an awareness of the degree of consensus (or disagreement) already existing among them.
The consultation began with a celebration of the Eucharist by the Rt. Rev. Robert C. Rusack, Bishop of Los Angeles. Arrunategui preached at this service, contrasting ways of dealing with the sacred and secular world, juxtaposing the worldly battle with the internal one to become "whole and at peace."
The draft theological statement sought to plant mission strategy firmly in the ground of the Incarnation, and while it was felt that the document was in many ways successful, considerable concern was raised over a number of points. It was originally hoped to revise the draft in the course of the consultation itself, but it became clear that more study was required, as well as condensation and clarification. An ad hoc committee, in consultation with participants, will prepare a final draft for inclusion in the report to General Convention.
Discussion at the consultation showed that Hispanic Episcopalians share the same problems which face the Church as a whole: parish growth, lay and clerical ministry development, diocesan commitment and action, and social ministry to the poor, the sick, and the disenfranchised. In addition to these, they must also deal with the language/culture "barrier".
It was generally agreed that much has been accomplished in recent years in terms of expansion and acceptance of Hispanic mission creation of alternate forms of theological education such as the Instituto Pastoral Hispano in New York, increasing attention by major seminaries to Hispanic ministry and vocationers, and inclusion of Spanish-language supplements in a number of diocesan newspapers were cited as examples. Social ministry within Hispanic congregations was lifted up as being a strong point, especially in regard to services for immigrants and undocumented people.
Areas where work was felt to be most needed included congregational development and training for lay and clerical leadership, with a particular emphasis on increasing the acceptance of women in leadership roles.
While there was some criticism of the Hispanic Office in terms of time lag and follow-up, the office and Arrunategui were praised for fulfillment of the roles as source of information and material, network builder, and general advisor. The feeling was expressed that in this capacity, the office is at least partially responsible for the growing awareness of Hispanic presence and concerns among the Anglo segments of the Church and community.
It was suggested that, as far as the national office is concerned, this sort of consultation happen at least yearly. In this way, material newly developed and "field tested" can be discussed, refined and disseminated.