Bishop Cepeda: Embracing the Future of the Church

Embracing the Future of the Church: The Growing Hispanic Catholic Community and the Role of New Evangelization

As the face of the Catholic Church in the United States transforms, the role of the Hispanic community is emerging as a powerful gift and opportunity to find unity unlike ever before. Bishop Arturo Cepeda recently shared a striking statistic on the Auxilium Podcast: in just 20 years, it’s projected that 60% of Catholics in the U.S. will be of Hispanic descent. But more than a statistic, this shift represents a profound opportunity for growth and deeper communion among all Catholics in America.

Allie Moroney, host of the Auxillium podcast, and Bishop Cepeda discussed three major themes regarding this topic: the gifts the Hispanic community brings to the Church, the importance of building up Hispanic families and leaders, and how technology can play a role in fostering connection and evangelization.

1. Enriching the Church’s Heart and Mission

The Hispanic Catholic community has long been a vibrant source of faith and devotion within the Church. Bishop Cepeda highlighted that Hispanic Catholics bring a unique customs and traditions rooted and integrated in a respect for family, life, community, and God. These communities also possess a natural devotion to Mary, a gift that strengthens the entire Body of Christ by inspiring greater trust and readiness to do the will of God. The value of community and commitment to supporting one another—especially the poor—are other hallmarks of Hispanic Catholic culture that invites all people to find a sense of belonging in the Church.

Bishop Cepeda views the increase in Hispanic Catholics not as a cultural shift to be managed, but as a gift and a blessing to be embraced. In his words, the presence of the Hispanic Catholic community is “bringing life to the Church,” reinvigorating the Church’s mission, and calling Catholics across the United States to a deeper unity rooted in faith, hope, and love.

2. Building Stronger Families and Forming Leaders

While the Church celebrates the many gifts of the Hispanic community, it also recognizes the challenges Hispanic Catholics face in maintaining their faith in an increasingly secular world. Bishop Cepeda stressed the critical importance of supporting the family unit— the “Iglesia Domestica,” or the domestic church.

Yet many Hispanic families experience challenges, particularly immigrants who arrive in the United States with limited support systems. Economic hardships, discrimination, and a lack of community outreach can weaken family ties to the Church, making it crucial for Catholic leaders to find ways to accompany these families in both their spiritual and practical needs.

Bishop Cepeda sees a key to lasting support in forming strong leaders from within the Hispanic community. He advocates for continuous formation, not only in spiritual matters but also in leadership. Catholic leaders need to be equipped to guide, inspire, and encourage others, so as to strengthen families, communities, and ultimately, the entire Church. Investing in Hispanic leaders isn’t just about meeting today’s needs; it’s about preparing future generations to be able to respond to the great commission of Christ in their homes, parishes, communities, apostolates, and beyond.

3. Technology and Evangelization: The Role of Platforms Like Tabella

In a world that is more digitally connected than ever, technology offers new ways to evangelize and support the faithful. Bishop Cepeda is passionate about the role platforms like Tabella can play in reaching Hispanic Catholics—particularly younger generations who are increasingly tech-savvy. For youth who are fluent in digital communication, social media and apps like Tabella can be effective tools to reconnect them with their faith and with their local parish communities.

Bishop Cepeda emphasized that Tabella offers a unique space to bring Catholics together, both locally and globally. He stressed the importance of creating Catholic spaces online to further accompany individuals on the journey, and particularly reach younger generations. Drawing from his experience with various live streams, which were used to support hispanics in Hawaii in the wake of the forest fire crisis that occurred a few years ago, Bishop Cepeda encourages us not to underestimate the power of technology in our efforts to connect with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In addition, Bishop expressed great joy in that Tabella offers content in multiple languages, making it easier for Hispanic Catholics to stay connected with their faith, regardless of their primary language. Bishop Cepeda envisions Tabella as an accessible platform that can help Catholics stay engaged in their faith, build community, and support one another—whether they’re at home or across the world.

Embracing the Future Together

As Bishop Cepeda concluded in his interview, the growth of the Hispanic Catholic population is not something to fear but to celebrate. The gifts Hispanic Catholics bring, the strengthening of family and formation of new leaders, and the innovative use of technology like Tabella are all ways the Church is being equipped to face the future with hope and joy.

For all Catholics, there is an invitation to look at these developments as opportunities to build a stronger Church that can evangelize with new energy and a greater understanding of our shared faith. By welcoming the growing Hispanic Catholic population and investing in resources and technology to support their needs, we’re answering the call to be, as Pope Francis reminds us, a Church that goes out to meet people wherever they are—inviting them to come home to a community where they are seen, known, and deeply loved.