Anglican Communion Hispanophone Network

What is the Hispanophone Network?

The Hispanophone network exists to gather and represent Anglicans from around the world with a passion for church ministry and mission among Hispanic populations. Its purpose is: ‘Sharing the life, gifts, and challenges of Spanish-speaking communities, enriching ourselves with cultural diversity while focusing on the mission of the Lord.’

How can you get involved?

Join the network in conversation, resource sharing and prayer for ministry amongst Spanish-speaking communities. Join the mailing list to be kept up to date.

For questions about the network email: redhispana@anglicancommunion.org

Download an overview of the Network, in English and Spanish. 

The Anglican Communion and Spanish-speaking communities

Accommodating linguistic diversity within the Anglican Communion is a vital part of mission and outreach. Around the world, the Anglican Communion has significant membership in Hispanophone provinces, spanning more than 22 countries through missionary projects and chaplaincies.

For example, in the United States, the Hispanic population has grown four times the national rate and a common denominator among growing churches has been the implementation of Spanish-language ministries. In addition to Spanish-speaking communities within Spanish-speaking countries, there are also Hispanophone church plants in Anglophone countries like Canada and across the UK.

These churches serve as vital hubs for Spanish-speaking individuals and families residing in these regions, providing a spiritual home and fostering a sense of community and belonging amidst diverse cultural landscapes.

 

Valuing Cultural Identity

Within the Anglican Communion, speaking of the Spanish-speaking world means affirming that the Christian faith is embodied in specific languages, histories and communities. The Spanish language is not merely a means of communication, but a space where faith is reflected upon, prayed and lived out.

In everyday language, ‘Latino’ or ‘Latin American’ is often used as a synonym for everything related to the Spanish-speaking world. However, these are not equivalent concepts. ‘Latino’ is nothing: it is simply the short form, the abbreviation of ‘Latin American’.

Latin America is a geopolitical and cultural term that emerged in the 19th century, driven in part by French intellectuals, to designate the peoples of the Americas whose languages derive from Latin — Spanish, Portuguese and French — as opposed to Anglo-American regions. In short, speaking of Latin America or Latin Americans includes Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking and French-speaking communities.

Recognising this difference does not divide; it clarifies. And clarification is also an act of respect. From the Christian faith, every people, with its language and history, reflects the image of God in a unique way. Valuing cultural identity is not about closing oneself off, but about giving thanks for the richness of creation and strengthening communion.

The diversity of languages and cultures is not a threat to unity, but a manifestation of the fullness of God’s plan. Communion does not erase differences; it harmonises them.

Artículo introductorio: “Ñ” Identidad y Comunión

Después de un largo camino, estamos finalmente aquí: viendo nacer una nueva Red en la Comunión Anglicana. Una red que comienza a tomar forma, a hacer oír su voz en una de las cuatro lenguas más habladas del mundo… y también un rostro.

Sí, tiene un rostro. Un signo visible que nos permite reconocerla, un símbolo que hace presente nuestra voz. Un símbolo sencillo, cotidiano, que usamos todos los días. Está en lo que somos, en lo que hemos sido, y en lo que estamos llamados a ser. Una letra que, aunque parece pequeña, sostiene mucho de lo que somos. Es más que una letra: es un signo de lo que permanece cuando todo lo demás cambia.

Sin ella no existiría el año, ni la niñez. No podríamos subir a la montaña, ni confiar en el Señor. Palabras que nos recuerdan que no caminamos solos, sino en compañía. Es una letra que nos recuerda quiénes somos, de dónde venimos, y hacia dónde vamos. No es solo gramática: es espíritu. Sin ella no podríamos ni decir que hablamos español.

En tiempos en que muchos cambian lo profundo por lo fácil, lo auténtico por lo importado, que no se nos olvide: Dios no nos llamó a diluirnos, sino a ser sal y luz. A conservar lo que edifica, lo que da sentido, lo que tiene raíz.

El Señor nos enseñó a hablar con verdad, con amor, con identidad. El idioma que hablamos también puede ser oración, también puede ser servicio, también puede ser resistencia.

Nuestra fe tiene dueño.
Nuestra lengua también.
Y no se rinde ante el ruido de los tiempos.

Jeroham Meléndez
Coordinador de la Red Hispanófona de La Comunión Anglicana

Introductory article: “Ñ” Identity and Communion

After a long journey, we are finally here: witnessing the birth of a new Network in the Anglican Communion. A network that is beginning to take shape, to make its voice heard in one of the four most widely spoken languages in the world… and also a face.

Yes, it has a face. A visible sign that allows us to recognise it, a symbol that makes our voice present. A simple, everyday symbol we use constantly. It is in what we are, in what we have been, and in what we are called to become.

There is a letter that may seem small, but that carries much of who we are. It is more than a letter: it is a sign of what remains when everything else changes.

Without it there would be no “year”, no “childhood”. We could not go up the “mountain”, nor trust in the “Lord”. Words that remind us that we do not walk alone, but in companionship. It is a letter that reminds us who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. It is not only grammar: it is spirit. Without it, we could not even say that we speak Spanish.

(In Spanish, this symbol is the letter “Ñ”, and the words referred to here are all Spanish words written with “Ñ”. In English this is not immediately visible when reading the words.)

In times when many exchange what is deep for what is easy, what is authentic for what is imported, let us not forget: God has not called us to be diluted, but to be salt and light. To preserve what builds up, what gives meaning, what has roots.

The Lord taught us to speak with truth, with love, with identity. The language we speak can also be prayer, can also be service, can also be resistance.

Our faith has an author and so does our language.
And it does not surrender to the noise of the times.

The Network’s Priorities

Sharing stories of faith: Create space to share stories from across the Hispanophone world about how Jesus is moving, transforming lives, and shaping communities.

Dialogue: Through open dialogue, develop meaningful partnerships with Hispanophone provinces, educational institutions and missionary societies.

Collaboration: Strengthen both formal and informal networks of people and leaders, develop a clear and sustainable digital networking strategy and foster collaboration with other ministries and programmes across the Anglican Communion.

Network Coordinators

• Sr. Jeroham Meléndez, Coordinator (Diócesis de Montréal), Originario de Costa Rica, miembro del Standing Committee de ACC de 2016 a 2023. Profesional de Comunicaciones, actualmente miembro activo de la parroquia St Jax en la diócesis de Montréal.

• Revda. Canóniga Luz Montes (Diócesis Episcopal de Texas), Canóniga del Ministerio Latino de Christ Church Cathedral, Diócesis de Texas.

• Rev. Franklin Cuenca (Diócesis de Bolivia) Pastor principal (Rector general), Iglesia Anglicana Episcopal de Bolivia, Cristo Luz del Mundo.