On November 28, Catholic Extension Society honored Archbishop Roberto Octavio González Nieves of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the 2023 Spirit of Francis Award in New York City. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the work of Catholic Extension Society in Puerto Rico.
Archbishop González Nieves grew up in New York and describes himself as a “child of the Puerto Rican diaspora” and has faithfully served the Archdiocese of San Juan since 1999.
He has been a vital leader to the Puerto Rican community, shepherding and advocating for Puerto Rico through the long, ongoing recovery following Hurricane Maria, other natural disasters, the pandemic and economic downturn.
Catholic Extension Society brought together five U.S. cardinals in New York to honor the archbishop at the award dinner, standing in solidarity for his good works and greater awareness in the rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico.
The five cardinals are pictured below with our president, Father Jack Wall, on the far left and Archbishop González Nieves in the center: Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States (second from left), Cardinal Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington (third from left), Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago (third from right) Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (second from right) and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York (far right).
Puerto Rican bishops Luis Miranda Rivera, of the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao and Angel Luis Rios Matos of the Diocese of Mayaguez were also in attendance.
Cardinal Dolan said of the award dinner, “Tonight, as we celebrate the life and ministry of Archbishop González and Catholic Extension Society’s work of rebuilding the Church in Puerto Rico, we are reminded of the deep-rooted connections that bind us together as one human family and as a people of faith.”
He continued, “We gather in this spirit of friendship, reaffirming our commitment to stand in solidarity with one another, even as we care for the poor, the downtrodden, and the vulnerable of our society.”
Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension Society, said, “Tonight, it is our joy to present the Spirit of Francis Award to one who possesses a passionate heart, that beats with a pastor’s love for his people, for the people’s growth and well-being, and for the future of the people of God in Puerto Rico.”
He continued,
Archbishop Roberto is truly a good shepherd leading, nurturing, strengthening, and giving his very life every day so that God’s people in Puerto Rico may continue to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities, especially among the poorest of the poor on the island.”
Upon receiving the award, Archbishop González Nieves provided gracious and humble remarks saying, “The award you are kindly bestowing upon me this evening is an honor that I know I am unworthy. I accept it as a call and a grace to renew my vowed service to the Lord, his people and his Church.”
Archbishop González Nieves concluded, “Thank you, Catholic Extension Society, for financially and spiritually supporting the Church in Puerto Rico since 1905 to the present time. Extension has helped repair and rebuild damaged church structures, and helped us secure necessary funding, which we otherwise would not have been able to secure. This is an extraordinary expression of ecclesial and missionary solidarity and love.”
Since 2017, Hurricane Maria and a series of earthquakes crippled the island’s economy and infrastructure, damaging more than 600 facilities, many of which include historical, centuries-old Catholic churches, Catholic schools, and mission chapels serving the island’s most remote communities, across five Puerto Rican dioceses affected from the natural disasters. While FEMA was slow in response, the Catholic Church was not. For the past six years, Catholic Extension Society has organized and led the disaster recovery program for five Catholic dioceses in Puerto Rico, who collectively seek to rebuild facilities across the archipelago of Puerto Rico, making it perhaps the largest rebuilding project in American Christianity.
After six long years, Catholic leaders are optimistic that the goal of rebuilding is within reach. The majority of damaged Catholic churches and schools are located in San Juan, such as San José Church in Old San Juan, pictured here a few months after Hurricane Maria.
Archbishop González Nieves has emphasized the importance of reconstruction saying, “Christians and Catholics need a place to come together, as one, to worship and glorify the Lord. Places are important. And when a place is destroyed, we must rebuild and begin again.”
The status of the rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico gives us hope. To date, $332.2 million of the estimated $400 million in damages have been obligated by FEMA to the Puerto Rican dioceses, and now, the Church in Puerto Rico can begin the long-awaited reparation of facilities and continue its vital mission.
Currently, 15 projects, consisting of 58 facilities are underway, with architectural contracts being signed. Catholic Extension Society’s recovery team also secured an additional $43 million in a competitive grant program, which will enable Catholic schools to receive “404” hazard mitigation funding. This grant will allow these structures to be rebuilt more resiliently to serve as safe shelters during future disasters, which will ultimately save lives.
Catholic Extension Society has supported the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico for more than 115 years, dating back to its earliest years as a territory of the United States. It shares the dream of the bishops, pastors, the faithful and all those served by the Catholic Church––whether they are Catholic or not––that the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico will begin a new chapter in its mission of service.
Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. Donate today to support our mission!
