William Becerra
Scholar Practioner – Hispanic Ministry and Theology
A certified leadership facilitator, I integrate theology and pastoral practice to strengthen real-world ministry. With expertise in Catholic Social Teaching, intercultural competency, and strategic engagement, I have led initiatives at diocesan, national, and international levels.
Committed to teología y pastoral en/de conjunto, I empower diverse communities through formation, advocacy, and collaboration, always prioritizing listening over lecturing. Fluent in Spanish and English, I cultivate spaces where faith inspires action and leadership is rooted in service.
Scholar Practioner
I bridge two worlds – the deep waters of academic study and the rich soil of daily ministry, serving as a translator between sacred texts and street-level wisdom. This isn’t about dusty theories; it’s about bringing scholarly understanding into harmony with the vibrant pulse of Hispanic Catholic communities.
When I say I’m a Scholar-Practitioner, I mean I’m equally at home discussing theological concepts and sitting with families sharing their stories in Spanish, English, and everything in between. My research comes alive in community centers and church halls, where academic insights don’t overshadow but amplify the wisdom already present in our communities. It’s not just a title – it’s a commitment to weaving together Sunday’s teachings with Monday’s realities, always listening more than lecturing.
Sensus Fidelium Hispanorum
I believe in the sacred wisdom carried within Hispanic Catholic communities - what I call Sensus Fidelium Hispanorum. Like a compass pointing true north, this understanding guides every aspect of my ministry. It reminds us that divine insight flows not just through formal church structures, but through the hearts and lived experiences of everyday faithful. This shapes how I nurture leadership, walking alongside Hispanic Catholics as they discover their own God-given gifts and wisdom. When we honor diverse cultural voices and empower people to lead from their authentic selves, we create space for the Spirit to work in profound ways. While my heart beats especially for Hispanic ministry, this approach transcends cultural boundaries - it's about recognizing that every community brings unique gifts to enrich our shared faith journey.
Doing Teología and Pastoral en and de Conjunto
One does not do ministry without theology, nor theology without ministry. This is not just a conviction—it is a way of being. A rhythm. A dance.
Rooted in Latino faith communities, teología y pastoral en/de conjunto is more than methodology; it is an ecclesiology of communion. Ministry and theology are woven together—emerging from the people, shaped in collaboration, accountable to those we serve.
This vision is not new. It echoes the Latin American Church after Medellín and Puebla, the Encuentros of Hispanic ministry, and the wisdom that understands faith as something done together.
And so, we wrestle with language—Spanish, English, Ingleñol—not for wordplay, but because words hold meaning. En conjunto signals that ministry is born from within the community. De conjunto reminds us its fruits belong to the people, speaking of their hopes, struggles, and faith.
Ministry and theology are not separate. They are the heartbeat of a Church that listens, walks, and discerns together.
Catholic Social Teaching: The Heart of My Ministry and Leadership
Catholic Social Teaching is not just an idea I admire—it is the foundation of my theological and ministerial life. It shapes how I see the world, how I lead, and how I accompany others in their journey of faith. For me, CST is not abstract theory; it is a lived commitment to human dignity, justice, and solidarity. It calls me to listen deeply, to walk with those at the margins, and to cultivate leadership that is rooted in service, not status.
In every initiative I support—whether developing leaders, fostering intercultural competency, or guiding communities in their missionary discipleship—CST is my compass. It challenges me to build spaces where diverse voices are heard, where faith moves beyond words into action, and where justice is not an aspiration but a lived reality. This is not just my work; it is my vocation—to bring CST to life in ways that transform both people and communities.