Florida Catholic | Hispanics Heed The CALL

Hispanics heed the CALL

New group seeks to promote Catholic values among Hispanic business leaders and professionals.

YÉDICA LEAL–GONZÁLEZ | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 07.04.08

The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders launches its Miami affiliation, the third in the nation, at a luncheon June 9 attended by, from left, Manny García-Tuñón, CALL’s executive secretary and Miami representative; Archbishop José H. Gomez of San Antonio, who founded the group in January 2008; and Mario Paredes, CALL’s president and former liaison for Latin American affairs in the Reagan administration.

YÉDICA LEAL–GONZÁLEZ | LA VOZ CATÓLICA
The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders launches its Miami affiliation, the third in the nation, at a luncheon June 9 attended by, from left, Manny García-Tuñón, CALL’s executive secretary and Miami representative; Archbishop José H. Gomez of San Antonio, who founded the group in January 2008; and Mario Paredes, CALL’s president and former liaison for Latin American affairs in the Reagan administration.

MIAMI | Hispanic Catholic leaders from San Antonio, Denver and now Miami have heard the CALL – that is, the call to action sounded by the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders.

The group, founded in San Antonio this past January, celebrated the establishment of a Miami affiliate with a luncheon June 9 which was attended by members of the clergy, group founders and directors, and prospective Miami members.

“The goal of CALL is to work with the church for the good of the Hispanic community in the United States,” said Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of San Antonio, CALL’s founder.

The group’s second chapter, founded in Denver, is led by Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Estevez will serve as the Miami group’s spiritual director.

“This is the right time to inaugurate this association,” said Archbishop John C. Favalora, who welcomed guests to the luncheon. “We are passing through a crucial moment in the history of our country and our church.”

CALL is centered around four fundamental goals: to provide a forum where Hispanic professionals and business leaders can exchange new ideas and promote ethical and moral values; to serve as a tool of evangelization motivated by love of the church and its mission; to respect and defend the sanctity of human life and the dignity of human beings; and to promote and support the education of Hispanics at all academic levels.

The goal of CALL is to work with the church for the good of the Hispanic community in the United States.”
— Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, San Antonio, founder

“As Catholic leaders, there should be no difference between our public life and our life of faith,” Archbishop Favalora said, referring to those who live their public lives while tending to forget their values.

“We want Hispanics to feel empowered to make social changes,” said Archbishop Gomez, who in 2005 was named by Time magazine as one of the 25 most influential Hispanics in the U.S., and in 2007 was named to CNN’s list of notable Hispanics.

Hispanics have the power to make changes because they represent 40 percent of Catholics in the U.S., and 15 percent of the total population.

“Where are Hispanic Catholic leaders when topics that affect our community are discussed and decided?” said Mario Paredes, president of CALL and former White House liaison for Latin American affairs during the Reagan administration. “This is our moment, this is our time. Let us take this opportunity humbly and face the challenges that our Holy Father has given us.”

“We are here because Archbishop Gomez felt there was a need, and now is our opportunity to respond to that call,” said Manny García-Tuñón, CALL’s executive secretary and representative for its Miami affiliate.

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