As I reflect on the work of this summer’s General Assembly, one resolution remains large in my mind: The approval of RSG-05, “A Resolution Addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and the Realities of Hispanic Latino-a-é Ministry.” Presented during the Race, Sexuality, and Gender Justice Committee report on Tuesday, July 2, the resolution calls for re-imagining the Hispanic Latino ministry in the PC(USA) by asking the Presbyterian Mission Agency and Office of the General Assembly (and/or their unified agency) to host and fund an in-person discernment gathering to envision new programs and initiatives responding to the needs of Hispanic Latino-a-é churches and leaders; directing PMA and OGA to help fund and implement the results of the discernment gathering, encouraging mid councils to identify and assign bilingual liaisons to the new program, and directing the Unification Commission to allocate sufficient resources in 2026 to ensure Latino-a-é churches and ministers receive support.
In presenting the resolution to the assembly, the Rev. Carmen M. Rosario shared a summarized version of the rationale behind the piece and a sample of the important history our PC(USA) Hispanic-Latino-a-é leaders and communities have embodied in the life of our denomination. It was a powerful presentation, and I was moved listening to the truth being spoken to the assembly. It was a familiar story to me, one of colonialism, discrimination, loss and pain as well as hope, resilience, activism and endurance.
And the story continues to be written today in the form of this resolution that began at the grassroots of the Hispanic-Latino-a-é Presbyterian church communities. RSG-05 is the result of many months of work. A diverse group of over 70 Hispanic-Latino-a-é leaders from different fields and contexts – along with the Hispanic Latino Caucus, the Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support Office, and the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee – came together to listen, research, discern and create a plan of action that would impact the ministry of the Hispanic-Latino-a-é church communities and leadership in the denomination. They presented this plan to the RSG committee who then presented it to the assembly.
RSG-05 is the result of many months of work by a diverse group of over 70 Hispanic-Latino-a-é leaders from different fields and contexts.
The reimagining strategy is holistic, with a discernment process to explore the development of new programs and initiatives, bringing together all constituencies to the table for consultation and education, including theological institutions, mid councils, and the Center for Repair of Historical Harms, considering the diversity of the Hispanic Latino-a-é communities, making a commitment to gender equity and the full inclusion of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a bold plan not just for Hispanic-Latino-a-é Presbyterians, but for the entire denomination. I encourage you to read the approved resolution.
During the debate, I sought to speak in favor of the resolution. As a past general assembly co-moderator, I was there as a corresponding member. Standing behind the microphone to speak, my thoughts went to mis ancestros, mis abuelos, those who paved the way and left a legacy of faith, proud Presbiterianos y Presbiterianas, who built this beloved church of ours, who prayed and served and loved in languages other than English, who led and taught and mentored in my homeland, Puerto Rico, who came from different countries in the Caribbean and in Latin, South and Central America, building community and familia in the diaspora, who had hopes and dreams for their families and congregations, and who sought to be faithful in our lands and beyond. I spoke in support of the resolution, lifting the reality of the many languages spoken in our PC(USA) and what that means, and calling the assembly to continue “the work towards a more inclusive church.” I share my words at the end of this piece.
“This resolution goes beyond language matters, urging the assembly to continue the work towards a more inclusive church, asking for a robust reimagining strategy for parts of this church that are still underrepresented, creating opportunities and equipping in the contexts and languages of our communities and heritage.”
Seated at the edge of my seat in “row x,” I was overjoyed when the resolution was finally approved. I confess, though, that I wrestle with the fact that much was said and asked regarding financial implications, and the approval of the resolution was not a unanimous vote. I wondered what this meant, especially since the approval of the resolution is an affirming move on the assembly’s part to the plight of a sector of the PC(USA) family that is still underrepresented, a clear ask that stemmed from the core of the Hispanic-Latino-a-é heart. We all still have work to do towards a more just and inclusive PC(USA).
I thank God and celebrate with la familia de la fe the reimagining process that is about to begin. Rev. Rosario said it best during her presentation: “No one program fits all and each mission context is unique.” I believe this is precisely the importance and the beauty behind the approval of RSG-05: In implementing and living into it, we get to co-create together with God, experiencing the richness in diversity and the plethora of gifts the Spirit has bestowed upon her church, who prays and serves and loves in many languages. This is the beginning of a new time, “Do you not perceive it?” the prophet Isaiah would ask (43:19). Let us all make way in the wilderness, my siblings, hasta que haya equidad.
We all still have work to do towards a more just and inclusive PC(USA).
Vilmarie’s words during plenary:
“I speak in favor of this resolution, as a third-generation Presbiteriana, to highlight its importance, as it comes directly from Hispanic-Latino voices. As a Puerto Rican, I have experienced the dichotomy of being a Spanish-speaking Presbyterian in an English-speaking denomination, with the cultural background and colonial history the languages represent. I served as a YAD in 1993 witnessing firsthand the scope of what it meant to be part of the bigger church family, meeting other Hispanic-Latino Presbyterians, learning of the multiple ministries siblings embodied in the continental USA, as we did (and do) on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Interpretation to Spanish then was only offered during plenaries, and we fought hard to have what we have today. I was able to participate fully then because I spoke the language of the PC(USA). But Español, my siblings, and Portuguese, and all other languages are also the languages of the PC(USA). Though as a denomination we have come a long way, we have much to do.
This resolution goes beyond language matters, urging the assembly to continue the work towards a more inclusive church, asking for a robust reimagining strategy for parts of this church that are still underrepresented, creating opportunities and equipping in the contexts and languages of our communities and heritage. We rose before and we rise today, hasta que haya equidad, until there’s equity. I support this resolution.”
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