Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century

The Hispanic presence in the Church in the United States is profoundly reshaping the direction and character of Catholicism in this country. Nearly half the Catholic population is Hispanic and it is estimated that by 2050 Latinos/as will constitute the vast majority of U.S. Catholics. Hispanic Catholics as a group bring abundant gifts to the Church in the United States yet together face many challenges. As the century unfolds, the achievements and struggles of Hispanic Catholics will be undoubtedly perceived as those of the whole Church in the U.S.

Hosffman Ospino brings an edited collection of essays written by leading voices in the field of ministry and theology that explore the present and future of Catholic Hispanic ministry. The essays were crafted as study documents for a national symposium on this topic and were edited for further reflection in ministerial and academic contexts. This book offers an important contribution to understand the future character of Catholicism in the U.S.


“If you can read only one book on pastoral leadership in the Catholic community this year, let it be Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century. Neither Hispanic, nor pastoral leader? Before you pick up another text, you should know that this book is a brilliant articulation of challenges facing the entire Catholic community—and offers nuanced, pragmatic and deeply theological responses. Just as a poem describes a specific experience in very particular terms that evoke universal resonance, this book is a poem addressed to all of us in the Catholic community.

— Mary E. Hess, PhD, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Luther Seminary