Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Indianapolis (Agenzia Fides) - More than 2,000 young people, bishops, diocesan and parish youth pastoral and leaders of youth movements will attend 1st National Meeting of Hispanic Youth Pastoral 8-11 June at Notre Dame University. Participants will include representatives of 126 dioceses in the United States and a delegation from Latin America. The Meeting organised by the National Catholic Network for Hispanic Youth Pastoral, was prepared for a whole year with various activities in dioceses, regions and parishes.
Statistics confirm and the Church is fully aware of the impressive growth of the Hispanic population, mainly young, at present about 17 million under 25 years of age; almost half the Catholic children and young people under 25 in the USA are of Hispanic origin. This presents a challenge for the Church and in response the Bishops of the United States are supporting the Catholic Network for Hispanic Youth Pastoral in the organisation of this first national meeting.
The goal of the meeting is to include Hispanic youth in a process of encounter-conversion-communion-solidarity and mission to foster active and co-responsible participation in the life and mission of the Church in the United States.
Specific objectives include: identify and reflect on the needs, aspirations and contribution of Hispanic Catholic youth; promote leadership and preparation of Hispanic young people in youth pastoral to reach to young people who are distant from the Church; establish common vision and pastoral principles to guide ministry for and with Hispanic youth in parishes, dioceses, apostolic movements and other Catholic organisations and institutions; identify and promote successful pastoral models and methods o accompany the young people as they learn to become disciples of Christ; plan strategies and assign adequate resources to parishes, dioceses movements and other Catholic organisations and institutions, to support ministry with Hispanic youth. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/6/2006; righe 27, parole 342)
