Hispanics and life issues

One of the most frequent questions I get about Hispanic Catholics is about the position of Hispanics on pro-life issues. Specifically, they ask me why Hispanics, if they claim to be pro-life, do not mostly support pro-life candidates when it comes to elections.

In fact, according to statistics, Hispanics are the most pro-life ethnic group. Among Hispanic Catholics, 52 percent believe that abortion should be illegal. The percentage goes up to 60 percent when it comes to Hispanics born outside of the United States. However, 66 percent of Hispanics voted for candidates openly in support of abortion in the last elections.

The answer is difficult to articulate. The bishops have vehemently affirmed that Hispanics are a blessing to the Catholic Church in the United States. In the historic document called “Hispanic Presence, Challenge and Commitment,” they affirmed that Hispanics are a blessing to the Catholic Church because we live a faith that is inseparable from life. And, that is demonstrated through: a profound respect for the dignity of each person, a deep and reverential love for family life, a marvelous sense of community and “fiesta,” a loving appreciation for God’s gift of life, and an authentic and consistent devotion to Mary.

All of this is true. At least in some way it's true. The problem is that Hispanics are not a homogeneous group. Although we use the term Hispanic to refer to all the people who come from a Spanish-speaking country, in reality Hispanic is somewhat more complicated. As I often say, I was not Hispanic until I came to the United States. Before that, my identity was simply that of my home country. The term Hispanic has been created for political and sociological purposes.

However, Hispanic is the official name used by the Catholic Church in the United States. And without a doubt, Hispanics represent the fastest growing ethnic group in the Church and, therefore, it is essential to involve this important group in all the evangelization and social activities carried out by the Church.

When it comes to activities or efforts to defend life, however, Hispanics can improve greatly. Hispanics, although communitarian and supportive, do not have the broad sense of social and political participation that others can have. The sense of solidarity and community commitment is far more prevalent in the United States than in any other country.

For example, while in the United States, there are approximately two million civil society organizations or one for every 150 inhabitants; in Chile there are 35,000 or one for every 428 Chileans; but in Mexico there are only 8,500 or one for every 12,000. While 85 percent of all Americans belong to five or more organizations; in Mexico 85 percent belong to no organization at all. And, I am a Mexican writing this. 

The social commitment to causes that we consider noble and essential is not what identifies us. We think that our involvement will not make a difference, nor is it worth it. Let someone else do it, we say.

Hispanic Catholics, however, have a responsibility to put into practice and to bring to society what we profess in the creed. That God is a God of life and that all life is his inalienable gift. This is a right that, although obvious, we cannot take for granted. If we don't defend it, we lose it.

The faith commitment of every Catholic must necessarily be linked to the defense of life. Of all life. From its conception to its natural death. Defending the rights of the born as well as the unborn. And, considering the latter a priority because they are the most vulnerable of all.

During 40 Days for Life, let's think about what it means to us and our faith. It cannot be something that we only believe in private and do not put into practice. We must defend life always and at all times.