Committee Members

Office of Faith and Justice: Committee Meeting Agenda

Date: February 13, 2026 | Location: Zoom

Presiding: Padre Ricardo Romero, OSFoc, Director

Chaplain: Bishop Ben Williams, OSFoc

I. Call to Order & Opening Prayer

Led by Padre Ricardo Romero

Focus: Discernment in a time of “Emergency Reality.”

II. Item 1: “Standing With Immigrants” – Lenten & Easter Liturgy

Led by Bishop Greer

Discussion on the spiritual witness of the diocese.

III. Item 2: Strategic Review of the Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Contextual Briefing: Padre Ricardo Romero (Data Analysis)

Perspective A (5 mins): Tony Herrera (Modification Proposal)

Perspective B (5 mins): Bishop-Elect Castro (Foundation Analysis)

Open Floor Discussion & Action Item: Vote on SOP Adoption.

IV. Director’s Spiritual Recap

Led by Padre Ricardo Romero

V. Closing Blessing & Prayer

Led by Bishop Ben Williams, Official Chaplain

1. La Agenda Oficina de Fe y Justicia: Agenda de la Reunión del Comité Fecha: 13 de febrero de 2026 | Preside: Padre Ricardo Romero, OSFoc, Director

Apertura y Oración Inicial: Padre Ricardo Romero (Enfoque: El discernimiento en una emergencia).

Punto 1: Liturgia “Estando con los Inmigrantes”: Obispo Greer.

Punto 2: Revisión Estratégica de la Declaración de Propósito (SOP):

Los Datos: Informe comparativo por el Padre Ricardo.

Perspectiva A (5 min): Tony Herrera (Modificaciones propuestas).

Perspectiva B (5 min): Obispo-Electo Castro (Alineación con los fundamentos).

Discusión Abierta: Miembros del Comité.

Punto de Acción: Votación formal sobre la adopción del SOP.

Resumen Espiritual del Director: Padre Ricardo.

Bendición Final: Obispo Ben Williams, Capellán Oficial.

Dear Committee Members,

It was a privilege to gather with you on January 16. As we navigate the “uncharted territory” ahead of our community, our shared resolve is more critical than ever. Per our discussion, I am providing this formal summary of our meeting to ensure we move forward with a singular vision.

Administrative Action: Voting Results The committee held a formal vote regarding the review process for shared materials. It was resolved that members may comment on all artwork, articles, and reports posted for response. To maintain our operational tempo, any reservations or critiques must be submitted within 24 hours of the initial posting.

Jurisdictional & Resource Updates • Bishop Greer (Jurisdiction Resources & Liturgy): Bishop Greer announced the official relaunch of “Convergent Streams,” aligning our jurisdictional resources with our humanitarian priorities. Furthermore, he detailed plans for the upcoming Lenten Liturgy, “Standing With Immigrants.” This liturgy is designed as a profound act of public witness, focusing on the Stations of the Cross viewed through the lens of the migrant journey. It aims to provide spiritual sustenance while signaling our unwavering presence to the broader community.

• Bishop-Elect Castro (Latin American Jurisdiction): Bishop-Elect Castro reported on the increasing instability in Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, noting the direct impact on migration patterns. He also addressed the political implications of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to President Trump, urging the committee to remain vigilant in our messaging.

Report from Mr. Tony Herrera. Mr. Herrera’s report focused extensively on the integration of local parishes with the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts:

• Direct Engagement: Creating a direct pipeline between individual parishes and this Office to ensure local needs are reported in real time.

• Parish Responsibility: Empowering parishes as the primary sites for grassroots organizing and resource distribution.

• Collaborative Infrastructure: Utilizing the Office as a clearinghouse for best practices and legal guidance to support local leadership.

Closing Prayer: Bishop Ben Williams “Gracious God, we thank You for our unity. We especially lift up Bishop Greer and the heavy burden he carries for the Church and this committee; grant him strength and move us to offer him our full support. Guide us as a beacon of truth for those in need. Amen.”

Closing and Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on January 30, 2026, at 8:00 PM (PST). Thank you for your tireless commitment.

Together, we are building a “beacon of truth” for those who need it most.

In Faith and Justice, Padre Ricardo Romero, OSFoc Director, Office of Faith, Justice & Humanitarian Efforts

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ / COMUNICADO OFICIAL Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts O.C.C.I.

Date: January 4, 2026 To: The Reverend Vicar Castro and the Vicariate of Latin America Subject: A Message of Solidarity / Un Mensaje de Solidaridad

English A Message of Solidarity to Vicar Castro and the Vicariate of Latin America

I write this today to offer my profound support and prayers to Vicar Castro and our siblings in the Latin America jurisdiction of the O.C.C.I.

Vicar Castro’s recent message highlights a painful reality: the violation of national autonomy and the terrifying escalation of violence in Venezuela. As the Vicar rightly noted, we cannot celebrate interventions that disregard international law and human sovereignty. The historical echoes of Panama—and the current militarization of borders in Colombia—warn us that violence only begets more suffering.

As the Director of the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts, I stand firmly with the Vicar’s assessment. Our Church does not support war, nor do we support dictatorships. We support a justice that leads to transparent democracy and true self-determination—not one imposed by foreign force or maintained by internal repression.

To the people of Caracas currently living in panic, and to the families grieving the dead and wounded: you are not forgotten. We see you as part of our human family. My office is committed to amplifying this call for peace and is ready to support the Vicariate in whatever humanitarian capacity is possible during these dark hours.

Let us pray for the “humanizing of humanity” amidst this conflict.

Pax et Bonum, Padre Ricardo Romero, OSFoc

Español Un Mensaje de Solidaridad al Vicario Castro y a la Vicaría de América Latina

Escribo hoy para ofrecer mi profundo apoyo y oraciones al Vicario Castro y a nuestros hermanos en la jurisdicción de América Latina de la O.C.C.I.

El reciente mensaje del Vicario resalta una dolorosa realidad: la violación de la autonomía nacional y la aterradora escalada de violencia en Venezuela. Como bien señaló el Vicario, no podemos celebrar intervenciones que ignoran el derecho internacional y la soberanía humana. Los ecos históricos de Panamá—y la actual militarización de las fronteras en Colombia—nos advierten que la violencia solo engendra más sufrimiento.

Como Director de la Oficina de Fe, Justicia y Esfuerzos Humanitarios, me mantengo firme junto a la evaluación del Vicario. Nuestra Iglesia no apoya la guerra, ni tampoco las dictaduras. Apoyamos una justicia que conduzca a una democracia transparente y a una verdadera autodeterminación, no una impuesta por la fuerza extranjera ni mantenida por la represión interna.

Al pueblo de Caracas que vive actualmente en pánico, y a las familias que lloran a sus muertos y heridos: no están olvidados. Los vemos como parte de nuestra familia humana. Mi oficina se compromete a amplificar este llamado por la paz y está lista para apoyar a la Vicaría en cualquier capacidad humanitaria que sea posible durante estas horas oscuras.

Oremos por la “humanización de la humanidad” en medio de este conflicto.

Pax et Bonum, Padre Ricardo Romero, OSFoc

OCCI OFFICE OF FAITH, JUSTICE, AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

Bishop Greer Godsey, Presiding Bishop, Vision & Jurisdiction

Padre Ricardo Romero, Office Director, Operations & Narrative

Bishop-Elect David Castro, Vicariable (Latin America), Global Witness

Bishop Ben Williams, Chaplain, Spiritual Guidance

Mr. Tony Herrera, Strategy & Tactics Preparation Campaign

Strategic Report: The Minneapolis Model & The Decentralized Shield On February 2, 2026, the Organizing Committee convened to finalize our transition to a decentralized humanitarian strategy.

Key Developments The Minneapolis Model: The committee analyzed the success of “boots on the ground” activists in Minneapolis. Their distributed, non-hierarchical approach serves as our template for rapid, safe, and effective community response.

Standing With Immigrants: We officially announce our Lenten campaign. This will be a liturgical and tactical “watch,” integrating our advocacy into the Holy Week and Easter services.

The Global Harbinger: Bishop-Elect Castro offered a sobering analysis of authoritarianism in South America. His weekly “Early Warning” reports will now be archived here to help the North prepare for shifting political tides.

Consecration: We celebrate with joy the upcoming Consecration of Bishop-Elect Castro this September.

Action Item: All members are encouraged to submit narrative updates and content suggestions directly to the Director to fuel this “Human Library” of witnesses.