Region IV

Geography

Region IV includes the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C.; the Archdioceses of Baltimore, Washington, and the Military Services, USA; and the Dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington.

Pastoral Profile of Region IV in Hispanic / Latino Ministry

Diocesan personnel dedicated to Hispanic ministry in the Region:

• • In offices of Hispanic Ministry:[1] 4
  • Responsible for Pastoral Juvenil Hispana: 1
  • In ethnic / multicultural or other specialized offices: 2
  • Office personnel assisting these leaders: 2

Estimated Hispanic Catholic population:

• 418,000 immigrant Hispanic Catholics
• 295,000 Hispanic Catholics born in the U.S.
• 26% of the Catholics in the Region are Hispanic / Latino

Parishes with Hispanic / Latino Ministry: 160

Masses in Spanish

• Weekly Masses: 180
• Once-a-month Masses: 11
• Average attendance per Mass: 379 (10.2% of all Hispanic Catholics)

Among Catholic children from 0 to 17 years old:

• 33% are Hispanics / Latinos born in the U.S.
• 6% are immigrant Hispanics / Latinos
• In K-8 Catholic schools, 6.7% are Hispanics / Latinos
• In Catholic high schools, 7% are Hispanics / Latinos

Hispanic / Latino ecclesial ministers serving in the Region:

• Immigrant priests: 63
• U.S.-born priests: 17
• Religious sisters and brothers: 22
• Deacons: 30
• Lay ecclesial ministers: 173

The V Encuentro in Region IV

• Sent 107 delegates to the National Encuentro, including 8 ENAVE / ERAVE and 9 bishops.
• The Regional Encuentro was celebrated with 115 delegates and 5 bishops.
• 7 Diocesan Encuentros were celebrated, with total attendance of 4,355.
• 100 parishes / organizations conducted the five sessions and 79 held a Parish
• 1,081 leaders from 108 parishes received training for the V Encuentro in 41

Main areas of new outreach in parishes through the V Encuentro:

• Hispanic / Latino young adults
• People living in housing projects
• Migrants and campesinos in rural areas

[1]May include personnel in other offices when their responsibility is for the Latino community, such as the Director of Hispanic Catechesis.

Awareness Leads Us to Advocacy for the Common Good

The V Encuentroprocess has given Region IV a way to connect and collaborate in a joint ministry as we have never done before, especially with diocesan directors and delegates. We are more aware of the needs of the different dioceses in the Region, and the process has allowed us to see that we have many things in common, especially with regard to the needs of the community, the formation of leaders, accompanying young people and families, etc.

The process has been highly successful in the formation of missionary disciples, and we have seen a great interest in advocacy for the common good. In addition, the process has made us aware and opened our eyes to the great work that the Military Archdiocese performs, which could be seen as a global diocese. The V Encuentrohas fostered collaboration between diocesan offices and has also connected us with national organizations such as CRS, NFCYM, and many more.

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