Church in Latin America

Collection for the Church in Latin America Inspires All to "Live Faith"

The annual national Collection for the Church in Latin America (CLA) will be the weekend of January 26-27.  The 2013 campaign highlights the youth of Latin America and the extraordinary efforts they expend to live their faith each day.  This effort was recognized by the Holy Father in holding the 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil in this Year of Faith. Portions of the 2012 CLA collection went to projects aiding the upcoming World Youth Day and other exemplary, faithful programs across Latin America.  The campaign intends to inspire all to follow the example of the youth of Brazil, who continue to worship and celebrate despite numerous challenges. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invite you to aid the unwaveringly faithful of the Catholic Church of Latin America.  To learn more about who the collection benefits, review the information below or visit How to Give to participate this January.

History 

The Collection has a long history of supporting Catholics in Latin America through the Continental Mission. Funds from the Collection also support building projects in Haiti.

Grantee Profile: Youth Ministry with Pastoral Juvenil Uruguay

On May 20-25, 2012, the VIII Youth and Young Adult Encounter of the CONOSUR (Spanish) region convened to discuss the shared needs of their communities.

Another group, The Regional Congress of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Leaders, met on October 20-27, 2012. Both groups seek to promote better understanding and reflection on the new directions for Latin America Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The young leaders participated in workshops (Spanish), which served to renew these ministries and the young people themselves as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. They reflected on social issues in their countries, such as poverty, migration, isolation, and addiction. They also shared the enriching cultural expressions of traditional food and dances.

At the conclusion of their gatherings, the young people committed themselves to working together to help transform the reality that surrounds them. They took Christ as a model for bringing the Gospel to all parts of the world—especially the needy, the marginalized, and the youth. As protagonists of the future, they pledged themselves to encourage the youth in their parishes and local organizations to build a civilization of love.

Read the full story in Spanish.

Our Work in Haiti

• January 2013: current information on the construction projects in Haiti.

• Ways for you to help Haiti.

• Partners in Mission. This important document contains the official position of the Haitian Bishops' Conference regarding "twinning" relationships between Haiti and the Church around the world. It was drafted and finalized with the support of representatives of bishops' conferences and Catholic aid agencies from around the world.

• 2012 Approved Grants

• You might remember Norbert... the seminarian in his class who is the sole survivor after the earthquake in Haiti and who the Collection for Latin America has helped. Read this article to see how Norbert is doing now.