By Maricarmen Godoy
BRIDGEPORT—In a decision that marks a new chapter for the pastoral care of the Hispanic Catholic community in Fairfield County, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano decreed the creation of the Hispanic Council of Ecclesial Movements and Communities, which has the goal of strengthening communion, evangelization, leadership formation and collaboration among the different spiritualities of the Hispanic church.
Its objective is to create a space for meeting and discernment in which representatives of ecclesial movements, communities, prayer groups, apostolic groups and pastoral leaders related to the Hispanic community can participate.
“The council is important because it will bring all these voices that have been silent in the community in communion with the diocese through our meetings so they can grow as either an ecclesial movement or a prayer group,” said Deacon Edward Carrillo, Diocesan Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry.
There are 18 members on the council, representing the following groups: St. Paul Biblical School, the Catholic Charismatic Movement, Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, John XXIII movement, Talleres De Oracion Y Vida, COEHMS, the Neocatechumenal Way and various Marian groups.
Deacon Carrillo said the council will meet four times a year and those meetings will address items that members want to bring to the table for discernment and action.
“The most important goal is to bring the groups into communion with the diocese so they can recognized and work among the Hispanic parishes, he said.
The Episcopal decree was signed and promulgated on May 3, 2026, and the statutes of the new body went into effect on June 1, initially for a three-year probationary period. At the end of this period, the diocese will review the council and its statutes to determine whether they should be confirmed, modified or replaced.
The decree defines the council as a diocesan consulting body, distinct from the Diocesan Pastoral Council and distinct from a public or private association of the faithful.
Deacon Carrillo said his role was not to impose new responsibilities on pastors, but to work with them to support communities.
“I am going to work hand in hand with pastors,” he said when his appointment was announced. His role includes supporting clergy serving Hispanic communities, promoting evangelization and formation initiatives, and helping to develop Hispanic lay leadership.
Bishop Caggiano’s decree recognizes there are communities, movements, prayer groups and apostolic organizations that bring together hundreds of families and that fulfill important functions of evangelization, formation, accompaniment and service.
Deacon Carrillo said the new council serves to create a space for these different expressions to listen to each other and present their experiences and needs. The intention is to promote greater coordination and prevent each movement or community from working in isolation.
The creation of the council coincides with the development of other formation programs promoted by the Office of Hispanic Ministries. In August, for example, the office offered a four-Monday formation program for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion belonging to Hispanic parishes.
Deacon Carrillo was one of those responsible for that formation, which included spiritual, liturgical and practical aspects of the ministry, in addition to the requirements established by the diocese, including the Safe Environment (Virtus) program.
Among the initiatives announced by Deacon Carrillo is the incorporation of the diocesan mission “The One” / “El Uno” to Hispanic ministry and the bilingual program “Created for God” (Created for God of the FIAT Diocesan Program) was announced, aimed at young people who are preparing to celebrate their fifteenth anniversary, with the purpose of recovering the spiritual sense of this tradition.
On August. 30, Bishop Caggiano issued a public statement about recent immigration enforcement actions that affected families in Danbury, Stamford and other communities in the county. The bishop said the Church would remain close to immigrant families and noted that parishes, Catholic Charities and the Office of Hispanic Ministries would continue to be spaces of welcome.
The new council represents an additional step: to move from a pastoral ministry aimed at the Hispanic community to a structure in which Hispanic leaders and movements themselves can participate in an organized way in the dialogue and pastoral discernment of the diocese.
