Listening to and telling the stories of Latino Catholics

Latinos are not just the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, they are the present and they have been a significant part of its history, according to Natalia Imperatori-Lee, professor of religious studies at Manhattan College, who gave a virtual talk on “The Critical Role of Latina Women in Leading the U.S. Catholic Church Today” May 18 as part of FutureChurch‘s “Women Erased” series.

Latinos are not a monolithic group, and they are not all immigrants. Some Spanish-speaking Catholics have lived in what is now the United States for twice as long as the nation has existed, Imperatori-Lee said, citing the work of historian and theologian Timothy Matovina of the University of Notre Dame.

“If we want to honor the dignity of the whole people of God, it’s important that we tell their stories and listen to the stories they tell,” Imperatori-Lee said. “A well-told story makes their experience count.”