Bishop Joseph A. Galante has named Andres Arango as delegate for Hispanic Ministry, effective June 22.
In this new position, Arango will lead all Hispanic Ministry endeavors in the Diocese of Camden, and serve as a resource for the different Hispanic cultures present in South Jersey.
Arango currently serves as director of Evangelization, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries for the Diocese of Camden. In addition to his new position, he will continue as director of Evangelization.
In the letter of appointment, Bishop Galante wrote, “As my delegate, Andres will report directly to me and will be a member of the Episcopal Council. He will direct the Office of Hispanic Ministry (replacing the Office of Vicar for Hispanics) and will advise me on all matters relevant to the Hispanic communities.”
Arango will also “be responsible for the leadership of the Hispanic Ministry Commission (and) work collaboratively with (them), the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation, clergy and parishioners…(and) will also implement the Vision Statement of the Diocese of Camden, the Pastoral Priorities and the vision for the Hispanic Ministry Commission.”
Arango has been the director for Evangelization, Young Adult and Campus Ministries since 2009. He served as coordinator of the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal for the Diocese of Sacramento from 2003-08 and served as regional representative to the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal Pacific Region. He was a parish coordinator for Youth and Leadership Development at Immaculate Conception Parish in Sacramento and director of Leadership Training for the School of Evangelization (La Ceja, Colombia).
Currently, Arango is the chairman of the National Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal Executive Committee and a member of the Latin-American Catholic Charismatic Committee. He has been an active minister, preaching at retreats and conferences in a national and international level. He is the author of the book Con Poder la Experiencia de Pentecostés (With Power The Experience of Pentecost).
Arango has a Master of Theological Studies from the Franciscan School of Theology (Berkeley, Calif.), a bachelor’s in Production Engineering (EAFIT University, Medellin, Colombia), an associate of Arts in Philosophy (Misionero del Espiritu Santo Seminary, La Ceja, Colombia) and a Certificate in Leadership Formation from the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Institute (Rome, Italy).