News from the Diocese
1,300 from US, Latin America to Converge at Phoenix Convention Center this Weekend
1,300 from US, Latin America to Converge at Phoenix Convention Center this Weekend
PHOENIX (June 7, 2011) — The Diocese of Phoenix is hosting its first Bi-national Respect Life and Evangelization Hispanic Congress event June 10-12 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Its goal is to build pro-life leadership and outreach to the Hispanic leaders and community.
Nearly 1,300 tickets have already been sold for the three-day event, with registrants coming from throughout the southwestern United States and Latin America.
The Bi-national Respect Life and Evangelization Hispanic Congress will help Catholic leaders prepare themselves to give workshops regarding life issues to the members of their parishes and communities.
Carmen Portela, director of Spanish parish leadership support for the Diocese of Phoenix, pointed to the key position of the Hispanic community in the effort to build a culture of life.
"They are the future of the Church in the United States," she said. "It's very important that they know the issues that really pertain to pro-life and respect life, that they know the vision of the Catholic Church."
Portela said the purpose of the event is to equip the Hispanic community with the resources and knowledge needed to defend the cause of life.
More than 20 high-profile speakers are scheduled to present during the event, with some coming from as far away as Argentina and Ecuador. The event will also feature local priests, including Fr. Carlos Gomez and Fr. Charlie Goraeib. There's also a pro-life activist and physician from Cuba who has been working with the bishop there in the pro-life cause.
Latin recording star Martin Valverde and Mexican actress Karyme Lozano have confirmed they will take part in the Bi-national Respect Life and Evangelization Hispanic Congress.
Media Contacts:
Carmen Portela
Diocese of Phoenix
cportela@diocesephoenix.org
602-354-2031
www.bprolife.org
