WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a Spanish-language page on the social-networking site Facebook. The initiative is part of an effort by the USCCB to effectively reach Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Catholics.
The page, will feature a variety of updates from USCCB on news, issues of concern to the Catholic Church and faith-building resources.
“Hispanics make up 16 percent of the total U.S. population, almost 40 percent of U.S. Catholics, and 50 percent of U.S. Catholics under age 25,” said Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Communications.
“It is critically important to engage this demographic, especially through the expanding field of social media, and provide them with accurate, quality information that encourages them to grow in their faith.”
In a video message posted in Spanish on the new page, Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, California, chairman of USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity, said the U.S. bishops “are grateful for the rich contributions of culture and faith that Hispanics bring to this country and to our Catholic Church,” and invited them “in a spirit of faith and kindness” to use the new page to “communicate and dialogue with us.”
Content posted to the page will include the essay “Cosas Ordinarias, amor extraordinario: Mother Teresa and Latin America” by TIME Magazine writer David Van Biema, which depicts Mother Teresa’s missionary work from Tijuana, Mexico to Chile.
The author describes her work with the poor and how the Missionaries of Charity are established in 65 cities in Latin America. Additionally, photos will show Mother Teresa in her early years helping the poor and sick, her connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Shrine in Tijuana built in her name.
For the Official Spanish-language Facebook page of the USCCB, go to www.facebook.com/USCCBEspanol