Hispanic Catholics Excited about New Spanish-Speaking Bishop

Parishioners at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana, say they welcome the appointment of a new, Spanish-speaking bishop: Kevin Rhoades.

Rev. Chris Cox, who serves the congregation and school, said Hispanics make up about 75 percent of St. Adalbert’s population.

A new Roman Catholic bishop will officially take over the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese in January — and Hispanic parishioners at St. Adalbert in South Bend are excited.

It was announced on Saturday that the Vatican is appointing Bishop Kevin Rhoades to replace retiring Bishop John D’Arcy.

Not only does Rhoades come with an impressive resume, but he’s also worked heavily in Spanish-speaking communities. And that’s attractive to the St. Adalbert population, where the majority of 1,500 churchgoers are Hispanic.

Rev. Chris Cox says at his church, about a fourth of the congregation is Polish and the rest are Latino. On Sundays, St. Adalbert celebrates five Masses — and two of them are in Spanish.

Cox has been serving there since 2003. He was pleased to learn that Rhoades is a new bishop who will be able to connect with his parishioners.

“I spoke to him in Spanish and kind of quizzed him on his Spanish. And his Spanish was pretty good. He probably doesn’t get to use it every day, but he was quite good,” says Cox.

Rhoades is fluent in Spanish and at one time, served as a director of a Hispanic Outreach Program.

It’s a skill that will no doubt come in handy as the Hispanic population in St. Joseph County is growing, and Cox says many professionals in local agencies estimate the number to be close to 23,000.

At the church, Hispanics are a part of his flock ready to embrace Rhoades as bishop and created a bond with him.

“He seems young and full of energy,” said Jesusa Rodriguez. “And the interesting part is that he speaks the language. And that is going to be very important to connect with our parishioners.”

The parishioners there are grateful for the support D’Arcy has shown for their church, school and community. But?

“When we speak with God, it is intimate speech,” Cox said. “People who speak to God in Spanish, want to pray to God in Spanish. And so having a bishop who can also speak that language is a gift to the people of this parish.”

51-year-old Rhoades has been a priest for 26 years. Born in Pennsylvania, his father was the brother of Republican state Senator James J. Rhoades.

He studied Spanish at the Pontifical University of Salamanca in Spain during the summer of 1982. He served as director of the Spanish apostolate in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties.

Rhoades was pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Harrisburg from 1990 to 1995. He taught courses in systematic theology, canon law, and Hispanic ministry, and rose to the position of rector in July 1997.

The Americano / Agencies

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