.- A newly formed group of Catholic Latinos leaders has announced that they will hold their first national gathering on January 16 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) plans to hold its first national event and identity unveiling at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Club Giraud in San Antonio, Texas. Cardinals, bishops, and clergy from the U.S. and the Vatican have been invited to attend this premier event. In addition, Latino business leaders and prominent businessmen from across the country will attend and are lending their name and talent to ensure the success of this unique organization.
In comments to CNA last September, CALL described its origins as “a response to some of the bishops asking for a dialogue with Catholic laity who are in the business and professional sectors.” When asked what motivated them to found CALL they said that they were driven by their “love for the Church and her mission” and that they want to live out that love “within the context of our culture, and in communion with the bishops”.
"CALL is an opportunity for Hispanic Catholic leaders to step forward and become a voice for the community on social and faith issues important to both the Catholic Church and Latinos. It is only by working together with our church and in our communities that we can make a difference," said CALL President Mario J. Paredes.
The Latino leaders plan to actively embrace the issues of preserving and promoting Catholic values such as the sanctity and dignity of life, of marriage and family life, Catholic faith formation and education, vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, promoting the dignity of every person, and promoting the evangelization of culture and the common good, all in collaboration with our bishops.
Two well-known churchmen serve as advisors to CALL, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of San Antonio and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. of Denver.
