The Latino/a population in the United States has increased dramatically over the past forty years, making Latinos/as the largest ethnic group in the country (roughly 15% of the total population). About 70% of all Latinos/as are Catholic.
Such growth has enormous implications for the Church. Latinos/as already represent more than 40% of Catholics in the U.S., and it is estimated that, within 30 years, at least 65% to 70% of Catholics in the U.S. will be of Hispanic origin.
In response, the School of Theology and Ministry (STM) at Boston College, through its IREPM Department, is ready to prepare academically, professionally, and spiritually those ministers and educators who already are or will be working with Hispanic communities in pastoral settings.
U.S. Catholics in 2010
Hispanic 42%
Euro-American 39.8%
Other Ethnicity 10%
Asian 3.9%
African-American 3.6%
Native Americans 0.7%
Source: Hosffman Ospino, "Hispanic Ministry and Theology at Boston College's STM: Overview" (lecture, Boston College Libraries, Chestnut Hill, MA, December 10, 2009).
In this full-length video (approximately 28 minutes), Boston College's four U.S. Hispanic Theologians discuss Latino/a theology, Hispanic spirituality, and the evolution and mission of the Hispanic Ministry Program at BC. The remarks of each individual faculty member may also be viewed independently via their respective Faculty pages within this guide.
