Center for the Study of Latino/a Catholicism

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Center for the Study of Latino/a Catholicism is:

To research and reflect theologically on Latino/a Catholicism and its impact on the overall U.S. (western) Catholic Church, and to do so in a systematic, ecumenical, multiperspectival, interdisciplinary, intercultural and critical manner.

In order to carry out its mission, the Center promotes and organizes national and international symposia and research projects, publications, public conferences, etc., which contribute to the theological study and interpretation of Latino/a Catholicism in the U.S. The Center also assists scholars with independent research and/or sabbatical projects.

One important objective of the Center's symposia and publications is to contribute to the broader theological and pastoral/ministerial communities, as well as to U.S. society as a whole, given that religion is a crucial element in U.S. Latino/a cultures and communities.

In order to disseminate research results, as well as to support the Church's pastoral mission, the Center provides consulting, planning, and other teaching services to the Churches.

The Center has negotiated collaborative programs with similar institutes in Mexico and the European Union (Germany, Spain, and The Netherlands), and is in the process of establishing collaborative projects with similar entities in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

The Center for the Study of Latino/a Catholicism, at the University of San Diego, is the only institute in the country explicitly dedicated to theological research and reflection on U.S. Latino/a Catholicism.

March 29 2008 16:40:12