Miguel H. Díaz

A Vatican commitment to develop and build bridges will work best when students are welcomed and fully invested in further synodal encounters, dialogues and actions.

Theology en la Plaza: This synodal process invites all the faithful, in particular our leaders, to do some soul-searching. We must listen intently, especially to those who have been marginalized in Catholic spaces. Church leaders must embrace a new beginning.

Theology en la Plaza: The impact on Latin@s of COVID-19, social distancing, and vaccination hesitancy and accessibility has been on my mind. Dr. Maximo Brito, an expert in infectious diseases, offers some perspective.

Theology en la Plaza: The next U.S. ambassador to the Holy See will be able to use shared priorities as a way to build bridges and find common ground with Pope Francis in addressing the challenges of our times.

Theology en la Plaza: Racism, heterosexism, attacks on the press, violence — Cubans experienced these issues, and many left the island. These are issues we all now face as "Americans" in this country.

Theology en la Plaza: We write because the confluence of twin epidemics, COVID-19 and the ongoing plague of racism, place vulnerable communities at particular risk. Escribimos porque as Latin@s our communities are formed and shaped both by the richness of African diasporic roots and people as well as by anti-blackness that for too long remains under addressed en nuestra casa.

Theology en la Plaza: The tectonic shifts that have put in place the practice of "social distancing," keep us from literally "walking with" friends, loved ones and co-workers at the present moment. Whom have we failed to walk-with prior to COVID-19?

In his diplomatic corps address, Pope Francis spoke about the plight of internally displaced persons. We may think of victims of war or natural disasters. I think of another group: our nation's homeless.

The Amazon is burning as a result of the idolatry that has sinfully made gods of economic profit, racial privilege and abuse of all creation. But fire has often been used in the Christian tradition as a symbol of life and vitality. How can we reclaim it?

Theology en la Plaza: We write en conjunto, united in prophetic rage and graced by the resilience of nuestra gente, paying critical attention to the role of the incendiary language that fueled the latest destructive incarnation of hate in El Paso.

I recently accompanied a group of international students to the U.N. to launch a new global effort that asks world leaders to set aside a fraction of their defense budgets to build bridges of understanding, overcome human differences and foster youth-led popular diplomacy.

Theology en la Plaza: Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe carries special significance this year in light of the Fourth National Climate Assessment Report. She stands in solidarity with Juan Diego and all God's creatures as they face their greatest threat of "crucifixion" and various forms of "extinction."

Theology en la Plaza: The ID cards and passports we carry may provide access and affirm legal status, but they are not the "documentation" needed to identify us as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.