Hispanic Ministry records

This collection consists of original materials regarding the Diocese of Charleston’s involvement in ministering South Carolina’s Hispanic community prior to the organization of the Office of Ethnic Ministries, circa 2002. Records were transferred to the archives from the Hispanic Ministry after the office was consolidated in to Ethnic Ministries, and officially accessioned on 10 July 2011. The collection is related to Bishop David B. Thompson’s social and Hispanic ministry files, and can be found in record cartons 2001.050.219 and 2001.050.367. Materials include administrative records, correspondence, newspaper clippings, various publications, and conference brochures; several of which are written in Spanish. The administrative records include various financial and statistical reports; minutes; two (2) sample Catholic Migrant Ministry Project reports; conference materials; and various reports and materials regarding Hispanic ministry in other dioceses and organizations throughout the United States. These organizations include the Spanish Aposolate, the Mexican American Cultural Center; the National Council of Catholic Bishops; the United Farm Workers; the South East Pastoral Institute; the North Eastern Catholic Pastoral Center for Hispanics; and the South Eastern Regional Office for Hispanic Affairs. Correspondence includes letters to and from Sister Elsa Maria Lopez-Aguero, OSP; Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler; Bishop David B. Thompson; various diocesan employees, clergy, and laymen from the Diocese of Charleston; and members of the above organizations. Publications include magazine articles, newsletters, and statistics regarding Hispanic ministry and migrant workers in the United States. Conference brochures include registration information for various workshops offered by the South East Pastoral Institute; the Paulist Press the Mexican American Cultural Center, and the Institute for Pastoral Life. Also included is a flyer for the 1977 Farm Worker Week, sponsored by the National Council of Catholic Bishops and the United States Catholic Council. Newspaper clippings include articles regarding migrant workers, Hispanic ministries, and the general Hispanic population in South Carolina.