The Hispanic/Latino community is a blessing from God for the Church and for our country. During the last few decades in particular, Hispanics/Latinos have reinvigorated the life and mission of thousands of parishes and other Catholic institutions and organizations.

Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry addresses the entire Church in the United States and seeks to strengthen the Church's response to the Hispanic/Latino presence, while embracing and fostering the contributions of Hispanic/Latino Catholics as missionary disciples serving the entire People of God. This document from the U.S. bishops comes in direct response to the priorities, recommendations, and pastoral insights generated during the V National Encuentro for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. Given the ongoing growth of the Hispanic/Latino population across the country, the establishment of Hispanic/Latino ministry in more parishes and other pastoral settings is a high priority.

Included in the National Pastoral Plan are the following:

The vision and pastoral guidelines that provide a strong foundation for Hispanic/Latino ministry intended for pastoral ministers and educators Pastoral strategies and priorities for dioceses, parishes, regions, and other pastoral settings for pastoral ministers at various levels of experience in Hispanic/Latino ministry National objectives and activities, led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for implementation over the next ten years