Author: Chris Lee

Diocese of Madison delegates attend National V Encuentro for Hispanic Ministry


	The three delegates from the Diocese of Madison pictured on registration day at the National V Encuentro are, from left: John Rojas, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, and Edgar Martinez. They are standing in front of the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. (Contributed photo)

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Delegates from the Diocese of Madison joined over 2,700 National Delegates who came from all regions of the United States in order to represent their respective dioceses at the National V Encuentro (Fifth National Gathering of Hispanic/Latino Ministry) sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was held in Grapevine, Texas, from September 20 to September 23.

With the full support of Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, Mr. Edgar Martinez, and Mr. John Rojas were able to be present during these four days of intense activity to represent the Diocese of Madison.

Four-year process

This event is the result of four years of intense planning and preparation focused on the theme “Discípulos Misionerios: Testigos del Amor de Dios” (“Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love”). Indeed, the goal of this process is to discover ways that the Catholic Church can be more responsive to the needs of Hispanic Catholics and to empower and encourage the Hispanic Catholics to be more involved in the Church’s work of evangelization.

The Encuentro event unfolded beautifully. Firstly, after the Welcome and the Opening Prayer, His Holiness Pope Francis surprised the attendees with an unexpected seven-minute recorded greeting with the following introduction

Pope Francis said, “Dear brother bishops and delegates to the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, I am overjoyed to speak to you on this occasion. It is a historic moment for the Church in the United States. Through this Fifth Encuentro, you seek to create a culture of encounter that rekindles hope. By gathering with people from different cultures, different ways of living, of thinking, of feeling — you encounter one another and walk together in hope.”

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Delegados de la Diócesis de Madison asisten al V Encuentro Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano

Delegados de la Diócesis de Madison se unieron a más de 2,700 Delegados Nacionales que vinieron de todas las regiones de los Estados Unidos para representar a sus respectivas diócesis en el V Encuentro Nacional del Ministerio Hispano Latino patrocinado por la USCCB y que se llevó a cabo en Grapevine, Texas, del 20 al 23 de septiembre pasado.

Con el apoyo total del Reverendísimo Robert C. Morlino, Obispo de Madison, el Padre Jorge Miramontes, el Sr. Edgar Martínez y el Sr. John Rojas pudieron estar presentes durante estos cuatro días de intensa actividad en representación de la Diócesis de Madison.

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To the editor:

In the September 27 edition of the Catholic Herald, you printed an article entitled, “Vatican signs agreement with China on naming bishops.” However, the article failed to mention some relevant information.

Beijing will acknowledge the pope as head of the Catholic Church in China, yet they will have the final say in the appointment of bishops. The Vatican has agreed to recognize, and consecrate, seven illegitimate “bishops” (previously rejected by the Holy See), installed by the communist-controlled Catholic Patriotic Church. The Vatican has requested that two bishops from the persecuted underground church step down in order to make room instead for the “bishops” from the Patriotic Church.

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In 1972, Respect Life Month was initiated by the American Catholic bishops. It is observed yearly during October in American Catholic dioceses.

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