An Anglican Communion Hispanophone Network has been launched with the aim of representing Anglicans from around the world with a passion for church ministry and mission among Hispanic populations.

The Network's launch coincides with El Día del Idioma Español en las Naciones Unidas - which is celebrated globally as a Spanish Language Day. 

The United Nations (UNESCO) established the day to celebrate the cultural diversity, history, and global influence of the Spanish language, which is spoken by over 559 million people across 44 countries. 

The Anglican Communion has significant membership in Hispanophone provinces, spanning more than 22 countries through missionary projects and chaplaincies.

In addition to Spanish-speaking communities within Spanish-speaking countries, there are also Hispanophone church plants in Anglophone countries like Canada and across the UK.

The Network describes its purpose as: ‘Sharing the life, gifts, and challenges of Spanish speaking communities, enriching ourselves with cultural diversity while focusing on the mission of the Lord.’

The group is being coordinated by Mr. Jeroham Meléndez, a lay leader from Costa Rica and former member of the ACC standing committee: The Rev. Canon Luz Montes, of the Hispanic Ministry at Christ Church Cathedral, Diocese of Texas and the Rev. Franklin Cuenca, from the Diocese of Bolivia. 

Speaking about the new Network, Jeroham Meléndez says: ‘From the Christian faith, every people, with its language and history, reflects the image of God in a unique way. Valuing cultural identity is not about closing oneself off, but about giving thanks for the richness of creation and strengthening communion.

The Network are clear that accommodating linguistic diversity within the Anglican Communion is a vital part of mission and outreach.

‘The diversity of languages and cultures is not a threat to unity, but a manifestation of the fullness of God’s plan. Communion does not erase differences; it harmonises them.’

Churches often serve as vital hubs for Spanish-speaking communities providing a spiritual home and fostering a sense of community and belonging amidst diverse cultural landscapes. 

Many are seeing significant growth. For example, in the United States, where the Hispanic population has grown four times the national rate, a common denominator among growing churches in the US has been the implementation of Spanish-language ministries.

A report from the Episcopal News Service on 21 April featured the ministry of St. James Episcopal Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The church has more than doubled its congregation — from 70 to over 150 members — since launching a Latino outreach initiative in December 2025.

The growth was driven by the new rector, the Rev. Peter Schmitt, who took a hands-on approach by visiting Latino-owned businesses, conversing with community members in Spanish, and inviting them to worship. In a city that is over 60% Latino but has very few Protestant Spanish-language services, the church began holding Sunday afternoon services in Spanish, incorporated bilingual elements into existing services, and is now planning to relaunch its Sunday school programme after a five-year hiatus, prompted by an influx of young families.

The Rev. Peter Schmitt said: 'St. James was already involved with supporting the local elementary school with financial and food distribution support, so I started connecting with the students’ parents, who are mostly Latino. Then I started wearing my collar while going to the different cafés, bakeries, restaurants and other businesses that are owned by Latinos … and started talking to the locals in Spanish and inviting them to a ‘misa’ (Spanish for ‘Mass’) at St. James,' Schmitt, who grew up in Puerto Rico, also told Episcopal News Service. 'This kind of connection is allowing the church to grow in ways that it hasn’t seen before.'

These changes have also transformed the physical life of the historic church — founded in 1875, it is one of New Mexico's oldest Episcopal congregations. Pews were rearranged to increase capacity, a new organ was installed, and a full choir and weekly Taizé prayer services have been added. Church leaders acknowledge there has been some resistance to the pace of change, but have managed it through open dialogue and listening sessions. Bishop Michael Hunn credited the growth to a combination of Schmitt's proactive community engagement and the congregation's warmth, noting that parishioners who have worshipped there for decades describe feeling a renewed sense of life and purpose in the church.

Find out more about the Hispanophone Network

People can follow the work of the Hispanophone Network on the Anglican Communion website and sign up for email news about relevant resources and activities. It is an official Anglican Network supported via the Anglican Communion Office. 

Visit the web page for the Hispanophone Network

Sign up to the Hispanophone Email Newsletter

Find out more about El Día del Idioma Español en las Naciones Unidas

Visit the website for the Anglican Communion Office

Visit the Episcopal News Service to find out more about the ministry of St. James Episcopal Church in Las Cruces