Bishop urges Anglos, Hispanics to improve relations with one another

Published: 2006-03-13

TULSA, Okla. (CNS) -- A meeting of the Tulsa diocesan Hispanic Apostolate on a proposal to establish consistent standards for parents and godparents preparing for the sacrament of baptism evolved into a wide-ranging discussion of the state of relations between the Hispanic and Anglo Catholic communities. "One thing that bothers me, and I don't know how to solve it is that we have two dioceses now," said Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa. "I'm the bishop of the Hispanics and the bishop of the Anglos, and we should start thinking about possibilities of bringing them together." He and other meeting participants agreed that there are many barriers to better relations between the two communities and any efforts to bring them together will take time. Father Steve Austin, pastor of Church of the Resurrection, said the problems facing the diocese are in parishes, too. "People are afraid of any changes," added Father David Medina, Hispanic Apostolate director.

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