New Hispanic vicar brings immigrant experience to post

by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Oswaldo Sandoval is seldom overwhelmed by work because he has a simple, yet profound, philosophy.

“I do my best, and God will take care of the rest,” he said. “We are just instruments of his great love and mercy for all.”

Pastor of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, Father Sandoval has recently been appointed episcopal vicar for ministry to Hispanics.

He will be taking over for Father Michael Hermes, who has served in the position for more than three years.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann had great praise for the predecessor.

“Father Michael Hermes is an extraordinary priest,” he said. “He has had an incredibly fruitful priestly ministry in every one of his assignments. He was the perfect choice to begin the position.

“He has a great personal love and devotion for the Hispanic people and has brought a great vision to how we can better serve this important part of our archdiocesan community.”

Father Sandoval agreed with the archbishop, expressing admiration for Father Hermes and the impact he’s had on the Hispanic community.

“I was happy when he was made vicar of Hispanic ministry because what an example we have in a priest there — someone who can work with any community.

“I’m still receiving a lot of support from him in making my transition.”

As he takes on this new role, Father Sandoval has a heart for the Hispanic immigrant population, earned through his own experience.

Born in El Salvador shortly before the Salvadoran Civil War began, he first came to the United States as a teenage political refugee.

Father Sandoval was ordained in May 2012 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

When he decided to apply for his green card, he discovered he was not able to file in the United States; he had to return to El Salvador.

“Thank God everything went well when I went back to the embassy,” he said. “It was 2017 when I got my green card, and it’s going on three years since I became a citizen.”

The archbishop believes Father Sandoval is a great example of the blessings Hispanic refugees have brought to the archdiocese and admires his hard work mastering the English language and acculturating to society in the United States.

“He is a priest with great apostolic zeal and radiates the joy of the Gospel,” he said. “I am confident that, under his leadership, we will continue to improve in our support to the Hispanic communities in the archdiocese.”

A five-year pastoral plan was established under Father Hermes’ guidance to move toward integration of Hispanic ministry into the overall ministry of the archdiocese and each area of outreach.

The plan was drafted with input from the 12 parishes with Hispanic ministries.

“In the past, we would organize Hispanic ministry off to the side, even from a separate building besides Savior of the World,” said Father Hermes. “Now, slowly but surely, the Hispanic ministry has become part of the overall mission and plan of every ministry in the archdiocese.

“Competency in the Hispanic ministry has grown and improved significantly over the past several years.”

Father Sandoval looks forward to continuing that work, especially focusing on support of families and efforts to help them afford Catholic education for their children.

“And we need to continue to ask the Holy Spirit what he wants us to work on and always trust in him,” he said.

Father Hermes believes Father Sandoval has the experience, the energy and the heart for continuing this important work.

“He has been stationed in a number of different Hispanic ministry parishes as a parochial vicar and as pastor,” he said. “So, he knows the strengths and the needs of the ministry.

“He is passionate about this ministry and is ready to share his gifts and talents to take it to the next level.  I am very pleased with his appointment to become the new vicar.”

Father Sandoval hopes for a future when the people of the archdiocese live in unity, appreciating differences and recognizing similarities.

Indeed, this archdiocese is blessed to have an active and involved Hispanic population.

“They bring a fervent faith and a great love for the importance of family,” said Archbishop Naumann. “They also give witness to a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary from all of the different Hispanic cultures.”

Father Sandoval expressed optimism for the future saying, “My hope is working with my priests to find good leaders in the 12 parishes we have.

“If we have good leaders, they can help continue to form a community to serve everyone that comes to those locations to have an encounter with Christ.”

And his ultimate dream is unity.

“I invite everyone to open their heart and learn more about these [Hispanic] communities,” he said. “We should not be afraid to love them and help them the best that we can.

“Don’t be afraid, but love as Christ loves us and you will find a lot to enrich yourself.”

Violating sacred spaces will not make communities safer

The following statement was issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of Public Affairs in response to action taken by the Trump administration rescinding a policy that required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to seek additional authority prior to conducting immigration enforcement actions in “sensitive” locations like churches:

“We recognize the need for just immigration enforcement and affirm the government’s obligation to carry it out in a targeted, proportional and humane way. However, nonemergency immigration enforcement in schools, places of worship, social service agencies, health care facilities or other sensitive settings where people receive essential services would be contrary to the common good. With the mere rescission of the protected areas guidance, we are already witnessing reticence among immigrants to engage in daily life, including sending children to school and attending religious services. All people have a right to fulfill their duty to God without fear. Turning places of care, healing and solace into places of fear and uncertainty for those in need, while endangering the trust between pastors, providers, educators and the people they serve, will not make our communities safer.”

Episcopal vicar for ministry to Hispanics Father Oswaldo Sandoval is concerned the rescission of the policy will result in raids or enforcement actions at or near Catholic churches, especially those with Hispanic ministries.

“I’ve been talking with my brother priests and we are trying to educate ourselves about what’s happening with our communities,” he said. “There is a lot of fear. We already are experiencing people afraid to come to a place that is sacred and dedicated to worshiping God. We cannot be shy about standing for the rights of anyone.

“I do my best to serve everyone, Spanish-speaking or any other people who come. I want to treat them with love and kindness. Not allowing them to have a space for worship is a crime. And it is sad that we have come to this.