Rev. Dr. Hosffman Ospino
Prophetic Ministerial Leadership and Creative Responses to COVID-19 Challenges in Inner City Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry
2020-21: This is a study that will take the pulse of the impact of COVID-19 on Catholic parishes with Hispanic Ministry in select inner-city contexts throughout the United States. The grant supports this research project on prophetic ministerial leadership and creative responses to COVID-19, and the impact on Hispanic ministry.
2021-22: This renewal grant funds the continuation of the research begun in 2021.
Research on Hispanic Catholic Pastoral Institutes
2025-26: This two-year project seeks to examine 20 Hispanic Catholic Pastoral Institutes and to learn about how these organizations evangelize, form people for ecclesial leadership, empower Hispanic Catholics for serving in the church and in the larger society—with particular attention to impact on urban areas—and are centers of spiritual and human growth. This closer look is research-based and will be led by Dr. Hosffman Ospino, professor of theology and religious education at Boston College, Clough School of Theology and Ministry. Dr. Ospino and his research team will develop a series of instruments to conduct the analysis of these institutes, including interview and focus group protocols, detailed surveys, and individual organizational analysis packages designed to get a better sense of each institute in its particular socio-ecclesial context. The study of Hispanic Catholic Pastoral Institutes will yield qualitative and quantitative data that will be analyzed in order to lead to a major report and at least three articles for both academic and general audiences. The results of the study will be shared with the Ministry in the City HUB community, the members of the Federación de Institutos Pastorales (FIP), and other Catholic leadership networks.
Hosffman is a native of Colombia and teaches at theology and education at Boston College. His research explores the dialogue between faith and culture and the impact of this interchange upon Catholic theological education, catechesis, and ministry. He has served as the principal investigator for several nationally recognized studies on how the Hispanic Catholic presence is transforming parishes, schools and organizations. Hosffman has authored and edited more than a dozen books, is a frequent speaker at national and international events, and is actively involved in ministry and faith formation projects in various parts of the United States.
Congregations and Communities grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding. This inaugural cohort of grantees included organizations working with children and youth, capacity building for a community. ministry, support for community healthcare, and research on congregational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congregations and Communities grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding.
The Strengthening Pastoral Formation for Ministry in the City initiative involves seminaries, theological institutions, and churches and intends to help communities and institutions explore and assess their own urban context and church life; gain clarity about their mission and programmatic offerings; and strengthen and support the design and implementation of plans to address key challenges and opportunities for pastoral formation and flourishing congregations in urban settings. This cohort will focus on research.