September 30, 2009

Catholic Latino leaders group hosts D.C. launch

WASHINGTON (CNS)—With several hundred guests for a reception at the Vatican Embassy Sept. 23, the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, or CALL, launched its first national outreach effort at an observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. “To be a leader is to have a clear sense of identity,” said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, in welcoming CALL members and hundreds of others to the embassy. “What I wish for all Latino leaders is that you have a sense of identity and of very clearly belonging.” CALL was founded in 2007 under the guidance of then Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jose H. Gomez. Now the head of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Archbishop Gomez was among about a dozen bishops and archbishops at the Sept. 23 event. Cardinal William H. Keeler, retired archbishop of Baltimore, also attended. Manny Garcia-Tunon, secretary of the organization, told Catholic News Service that the reception was intended to mark CALL’s national presence. Though the group numbers fewer than 50 official members, Garcia-Tunon said local chapters are being developed in Miami, San Antonio, Denver, Houston and Phoenix, all of which will have events in October.