Diocese’s Hispanic and Cross-Cultural Ministries director visits Missouri’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.

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Enrique Castro, director of Hispanic and Cross-Cultural Ministries for the Jefferson City diocese, took part in Advocacy Day Nov. 8, during the National Catholic Association for Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry annual conference in Washington, D.C.

He and his counterparts in the state’s other Roman Catholic dioceses visited members of Missouri’s congressional delegation. Their purpose was to urge them to help protect funding for poverty-reducing international development and humanitarian assistance in Fiscal Year 2018, especially funding for migrants and refugees, at the levels provided for in the Senate bill.

They also urged lawmakers to co-sponsor, support and pass The Dream Act of 2017 (S. 1615/H.R. 3440), which would allow about 1.5 million young people who were brought to this country without documentation when they were children, to contribute to this country by allowing them to drive, work and study. Having grown up here, they don’t know any country other than the United States.

“It’s been a great experience to speak out and be the Church’s voice and the voice of many of our brothers and sisters who don’t have it,” said Mr. Castro.

This ministry ties in with the diocese’s renewed commitment to promoting faith, family and outreach, as called for in Bishop John R. Gaydos’ pastoral plan, “Christ’s Call ... Our Response.”

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