The National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM) is honored to announce that Dr. Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, has been selected to receive the William H. Sadlier Recognition for Excellence in Catechesis and Service in Hispanic Ministry. The award will be presented on Sunday, October 5, 2025, during the NCCHM Annual Meeting and the Jubilee of Migrants at the Generalate of the Lasallian Brothers in Rome.
The Sadlier Prize, established in 2007 in collaboration with William H. Sadlier, Inc., is awarded annually to visionary leaders whose prophetic witness has strengthened the Church’s commitment to Hispanic/Latino ministry and catechesis in the United States. Dr. Emilce Cuda is a theologian, professor, and senior Vatican official whose accompaniment of Hispanic Catholic leaders in the United States has transformed lives and ministries. From her historic address on Capitol Hill during Raíces y Alas 2022—sent by Pope Francis to advocate for immigrants—to her consistent and passionate advocacy for migrants and workers considered discarded, Dr. Cuda has become a powerful voice for ecclesial communion, justice, and inclusion. She has been instrumental in deepening collaboration between the Church in the United States and CELAM (Latin American Episcopal Council), offering theological and pastoral frameworks that renew the Church’s commitment to the peripheries.
In a key 2022 meeting at the Vatican with NCCHM leadership, Dr. Cuda shared that Pope Francis was calling the Church in the United States to place migrants at the heart of its pastoral mission. His advice became a defining moment in the NCCHM’s discernment, leading to a renewed focus on migration as a central expression of the Roots and Wings Social Justice Action Pillar. In response, the NCCHM launched a national formation campaign, hosting virtual seminars with pastoral leaders from the United States and Latin America in collaboration with CELAM and CEBITEPAL to explore the spiritual, social, and political dimensions of the migrant experience. This journey of reflection and action culminates in the Jubilee of Migrants, a historic pilgrimage to Rome guided by the Holy Spirit, where Dr. Cuda will now be honored for her visionary leadership.
In response to the announcement, Dr. Cuda shared the following reflection: “I have a deep affection for Catholics in the United States, especially those who, moved by the virtue of hope, cross deserts of suffering, aggression, and desolation so that they may have life and have it abundantly: the very reason our Lord Jesus Christ tells us He came to us. We are all migrants on this earth, which was created for all, all, all—and no one should be left behind. I know how hard you work to welcome, integrate, and accompany all who arrive on its shores. Knowing that among so many good people, you thought of me… is unimaginable. This gives me strength to continue.”
NCCHM President Elisabeth Román added: “Dr. Cuda’s leadership is both pastoral and prophetic. She hasn’t just walked with our communities; she believes in us. This recognition is a profound expression of gratitude from a people she helps live with wisdom, courage, and love.”
Since 2007, the William H. Sadlier Award for Excellence in Catechesis and Service in Hispanic Ministry has been presented to individuals whose pastoral vision, cultural wisdom, and steadfast service have shaped and strengthened Hispanic ministry in the United States. The NCCHM expresses special gratitude to the late William H. “Bill” Dinger, former president of William H. Sadlier, Inc., whose deep dedication to the Church and the Hispanic Catholic community led to the creation of this award. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of pastoral leaders to walk with faith, courage, and love in service to the People of God.
The National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry is a network of national and regional Catholic organizations, dioceses, religious communities, academic institutions, and pastoral leaders committed to serving the Hispanic/Latino community in the United States. Rooted in a vision of whole-person ministry, for 35 years the NCCHM has promoted leadership formation, networking, and advocacy to empower Hispanic Catholics as missionary disciples.
The mission of the NCCHM is to unite and elevate the prophetic voices of Hispanic ministry in the Church and society, promote leadership development, and respond prophetically to the spiritual, social, and cultural needs of Hispanic communities. Through its four pillars of action—family, Hispanic youth ministry, social justice, and pastoral formation—rooted in Roots and Wings and the V Encuentro, the NCCHM serves as a vital bridge between the Church in the United States, the universal Church, and the lived realities of Hispanic Catholics today.
