WASHINGTON—This September the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops will be convening a gathering of more than 3,000 delegates
from across the U.S. for the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry
with the theme, “Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love.”

The event will be a crucial turning-point for
the Catholic Church in America and its response to the growing numbers of Latino
Catholics in the United States. The four-day event will focus on discerning
ways in which the Church in the U.S. can better respond to the Hispanic/Latino
presence and strengthen the ways in which Hispanics/Latinos respond to the call
to missionary discipleship. It will be led by U.S. bishops and delegates in
diocesan leadership roles from across the country as well as leaders of
Catholic ecclesial movements and Catholic organizations and institutions.

As a priority activity of the USCCB’s
Strategic Plan for 2017-2020, the event is the culmination of a two-year
process of evangelization, mission and consultation through a series of Diocesan
Encuentros held in 143 U.S. dioceses and 8 Regional Encuentros. The Regional and
Diocesan Encuentros have had more than 51,000 leaders participate and more than
26,000 trained as missionary disciples.

Bishop Michael F. Olsen of the Diocese of
Fort Worth will be hosting the national event that will be held in Grapevine,
Texas, from September 20-23.

Please note that advanced media registration
is required. Onsite registration will not be available.

Credentialed media will have access to the V
Encuentro main plenary hall during the dates of Sept 20-23. Media will not have
access to the V Encuentro’s individual breakout sessions. All credentialed
media are required to abide by regulations of the hotel or risk losing their
credentials.

Reporters seeking to cover the V Encuentro
must fill out and submit the following media credential application found here in
English
and Spanish. A
media center will also be available on-site for journalists. Main stage events
of the Encuentro will also be livestreamed on www.usccb.org.

The deadline for submitting the press credential
application form is September 13, 2018.

Media inquiries and interview requests in
advance of the event, can be arranged by contacting Judy Keane or Miguel Guilarte
or by contacting USCCB media relations at media-relations@usccb.org.

For more details about the V National Encuentro, please visit https://vencuentro.org/.

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB,
Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Bishop Michael F. Olson,
Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, missionary discipleship, Church in the United
States, Hispanic/Latino minister, Regional Encuentros. Catholic Leaders,
Witnesses of God’s Love, evangelization.

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Media Contacts:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200

Miguel Guilarte

202-541-3202

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops