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The
challenge of Hispanic migration
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
The March 26 issue of The Catholic Moment featured “The blessings
and challenges of Hispanic ministry in our Local Church.” It was perhaps
an eye-opener for some. Coincidentally it was published as demonstrators
took to the streets to protest a proposal passed by the House of
Representatives (Sensenbrenner HR 4437) which would make criminals of
both undocumented immigrants and those who serve their needs, including
a good number of priests in our diocese. Its passage has fueled already
heated national debate over Hispanic migration across U.S. borders.
People migrate to the United States from a multiplicity of countries and
have done so for more than a century. Because it is difficult for
Hispanics or Asians to simply slip into the general population, they
immediately pose a challenge to the descendants of European immigrants.
In our area, Hispanic immigrants outnumber all others by far. Hispanics
are now the largest minority group in the United States.
It is not known how many Hispanics live in Northcentral Indiana.
Undocumented people rarely participate in census efforts. Popular
statistics suggest 71 percent of the growth in the number of Catholics
in the United States since 1960 has been Hispanic. The Hispanic
immigrant population includes people from the Caribbean, Cuba, Latin
America and Puerto Rico. But, it is estimated that 58 percent of all
Spanish-speaking peoples in the United States are of Mexican origin. The
reason is rooted in horrific poverty. People risk life and limb to come
to the United States in search of jobs. And, as a generalization, they
are young. The average age of a Spanish speaker living in the United
States today is 26.6 years.
When European immigrants stormed our shores in the 19th century, they
brought priests with them. While Mass was celebrated in Latin, sermons
and instructions were in German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, etc. That
has not been the case with Hispanics. This has presented a huge
challenge to the Church in the United States.
Driven by the call of Jesus Christ to attend to the lowest and least in
society and in the Church, effort has been made to minister to the
spiritual needs of immigrants, be they documented or undocumented.
In our own Local Church, Hispanic ministry was initially urged by
Spanish-speaking laborers from Texas and Florida who came to Indiana to
harvest tomatoes. It is the rapid growth in settled-out Hispanics that
has overwhelmed those initial efforts. The pastoral strategy has been to
help immigrants settle in their new land and to become integrated into
existing parishes while respecting their culture. Where successful, it
has brought enrichment to the faith community. As was pointed out in the
March 26 issue of The Catholic Moment, family is of great
importance to Hispanics. They have a deep sense of reverence and
religiosity.
Radio talk show comments about the immigration crisis, as some are
calling the current wave of immigration, have at times been angering.
While there is a legal route to entry into the United States, it is next
to impossible for most. This contrasts sharply with the European
immigrants of the 19th century and beyond, who basically were accepted
as they stepped off boats from their homeland. This makes the argument
over legal and illegal less than honest, at least for those who argue we
are a land of immigrants and therefore we should welcome immigrants, as
long as they are properly documented.
Few people would be so hard-hearted as to turn away a family member in
desperate need, be it food, clothing, whatever. Instinctively we are
present to family in time of need. Well, documented or undocumented
Hispanics are family. The culture may be different, language may be a
barrier and admittedly immigrants are not blood relatives, but they are
brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ nonetheless.
Recently I received a letter complaining that during a cathedral service
one of the Scripture readings was in Spanish. Apparently the writer is
oblivious to the fact that that has been common practice for several
years, and not just in our cathedral. Think of any major Vatican
liturgy. Multiple languages are incorporated. The writer stated: “The
Spanish-speaking people should be learning English.” Translated, that
means that those who do not share “my” culture and “my” language may be
welcome as guests, but this is my house, not theirs. The point
is, it is not “my” house. It is “our” house. The use of Spanish, however
minimal, acknowledges that reality.
A major consideration is that Hispanics, more than any other group in
American history, tend to pass their Spanish language from generation to
generation. According to a report by Marketing Media, traditionally
demographers consider an immigrant’s native language to be lost by the
third generation — the grandchildren of the original immigrants. But
that hasn’t happened in the case of Hispanics. A recent study found that
some 35 percent of third-generation Hispanics continue to speak Spanish.
Part of that is the fact that the Spanish language is tied intimately to
the religious values of the Hispanic people and their culture. Hispanics
learn English, but the language of their worship is Spanish and will
remain so far longer than it did for the European immigrants of past
centuries.
I have deep admiration of my brother priests who have gone to Mexico to
experience immersion in the culture and language of those who are
migrating in great numbers to Northcentral Indiana. Other priests have
managed on their own to master sufficient Spanish to minister to
Hispanics in their language.
Although it is not made a condition for ordination to the priesthood,
our seminarians are instructed to acquire a working facility with
Spanish. This need is recognized by seminaries throughout the United
States where liturgies routinely are celebrated in Spanish and Spanish
classes are offered to those preparing for the priesthood.
Special accolades to Deacon Domingo Castillo and his wife, Ida. They are
true missionaries. They left their home in Texas 15 years ago to
minister here in Northcentral Indiana. They are helping Hispanics
integrate into our parishes and helping parishes to grasp that the goal
is to welcome immigrants as brothers and sisters. Both are untiring in
their ministry.
Every sovereign nation has a right to secure its borders. Precisely how
that might be done along the United States-Mexican border will continue
to be debated, no doubt. Until economic conditions improve in Mexico (as
well as elsewhere), the United States will continue to be viewed as a
land of opportunity worth any risk. With the declining birth rate and
the need for workers, this country will continue to attract immigrants,
be they documented or not.
The focus of the Church is on brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ who
have crossed the border. The Midwest has become a popular destination
for Hispanics, in particular. If you believe the Scriptures, the welcome
we extend to them is welcome extended to Jesus Christ. |
