In the framework of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a Mass was celebrated in Washington, the capital of the United States, during which the first American bishop of Salvadoran origin stated that “the presence of Hispanics or Latinos among us is a blessing for the church and for society.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States, paying tribute to the culture, traditions and contributions of many Americans who were born in a Spanish-speaking country.
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According official data By 2023, this group represents approximately 19.5% of the total population living in the North American country.
During the Mass, Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, noted that the country’s bishops recognize that “the presence of Hispanics has revitalized the life and mission of thousands of parishes in the American nation and other Catholic institutions and organizations.”
The prelate stressed that, although this impact has been more visible in recent decades, the Hispanic community “has been present in these lands for more than 500 years” and has embraced “their vocation as joyful missionary disciples of the Church in the United States.” .
The bishops, he added, “show their paternal concern to welcome, to embrace with joy the Hispanic Catholic faithful and to empower them to carry out their mission responsibly in the church and in society.”
Bishop Menjivar-Ayala also called on communities to “be sowers of peace,” promoting “friendship, solidarity and unity among ourselves and in the society in which we live.”
For this reason, he urged to leave behind “all rivalry, envy and prejudice”, and to avoid conflicts between members of the community, so that it may be “an example of unity and kindness.”
The prelate concluded by asking to pray that society and, especially, the Catholic Church, “be a home for all, where we can experience the loving embrace of God who blesses all his children.”
Diego López Colin
I am a graduate of Journalism at the Carlos Septién García School with experience in religious institutional communication. Since 2016 he has written for digital media and, since 2018, I have reported the most important news about Catholic events in Mexico for the EWTN news channel. He has been ACI Prensa correspondent in Mexico since 2023.