Latino leaders to make voice heard at Vatican City

SAN ANTONIO, TX – As Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off in the United States, U.S. Catholic Latino leaders took a “major step” to achieve open communication with the Vatican.

On Sept. 22, Robert Aguirre, president and CEO of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) hand-delivered a formal response to Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical “Caritas in Veritate – Charity in Truth” to Peter Cardinal Turkson, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Turkson will be presented with Pope Benedict’s special edition and after review of the document; the cardinal is expected to present the response to the Holy Father.

The response, entitled Caritas in Veritate – Charity in Truth: Our Response in Faith,” is a prayer from the organization reflecting on the importance of Pope Benedict’s words and CALL’s vow to act as faithful disciples, trusting the Holy Father as their pastor and shepherd.

“Each member of CALL reflects on the relevance of their heritage as the first American Catholics as they realize the influence of their voice as current Latino leaders,” Aguirre said.

“As Catholic Latino leaders in our country it is our responsibility to demonstrate that our Catholic identity is defined by what we do. Members of CALL look to Blessed John XXIII’s words stating that we need to seek to align our ‘professional activity into conformity with the Church’s social teaching.’ Our Response in Faith is our prayer to carry out the mission of the Church in every aspect of our lives,” Aguirre said.