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father uriel salamanca ministers to latinos in the south deanery

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

A priest for 20 years, Father Uriel Salamanca is ministering to the people of the Cobden, Carbondale and Anna area in the Diocese of Belleville. He has been living in Cobden for the last nine months with St. Joseph’s pastor, Father Federico Higuera.

From Bogotá, Colombia, Father Salamanca said he has adjusted very well to the diocese. The people have made him feel most welcome, Latinos and Americans alike. He continues to study English in Carbondale as he continues his ministry.

“The culture and way of doing things here is very different but interesting,” Father Salamanca said. He added that it took him awhile to realize he didn’t have to worry as much about robberies on the roads or at the rectory. This was a problem at his parish in Bogotá.

“I am very happy and grateful for the people,” he said. “They are very open and helpful.”

At the beginning of his ministry in the area, Father Salamanca said people did not participate as much as they do now. “They have increased their participation in liturgies and meetings and planning.”

Father Salamanca said he visits area families during the week, and he is looking forward to visiting people at the Tri-County Jusitce & Detention Center in Ullin where undocumented Latinos are being held.

“I want to visit, to celebrate liturgies and listen to them,” Father Salamanca said of the people in Ullin. “This is our mission to accompany them during these difficult moments.”

Father Salamanca said he ministered in prisons in Colombia for many years. “It’s absolutely sad,” he said, and “difficult because when I worked with the people and learned their stories, I felt very sad.”

Father Salamanca said he hopes his ministry will bring comfort not only for the people in Ullin but for the parishioners and Latinos he meets in the area.

“It is important to spend more time with the people, he said, “to know their situations and their faith experiences. I feel I need more time here.”

Carmelita Machacao, who has ministered to Latinos in the area for many years, has introduced Father Salamanca to many people. “She opens the doors for me,” he said.

Having Father Salamanca in the area is very important to the people, Senora Machacao said. “He can listen to the concerns of all members of the families, especially those of the men of the families.”

Listening is very important, Father Salamance said. “Fmilies suffer in different ways.” For example, “the economy causes problems, and during the winter some people have no work.”
Father Salamanca said some of the families in Cobden give him food which he distributes among the people who are in need.

“Most important to me is to visit every house and every family. People need to know the church cares about them,” he said.

Father Salamanca said the people need to know more about their faith. To help them, he shares Scripture, he prays with them, and he takes his guitar with him to sing with them.
He also invites them to pray more.

Father Salamanca said he does not know what the future holds, but he said Bishop Hector Gutierrez in the Diocee of Engativa “is a good man. He knows me; he was my teacher when I was in the seminary.”

In the Diocese of Belleville, Father Salamanca has been working with the Office of Hispanic Ministry on pastoral plans for Latinos in the area where he ministers.

“I work with Sister Cecilia” (Helmann ASC), he said. “She knows and loves the Hispanic people.” 

Father Salamanca said he is always looking for ways to meet the people, to minister to their needs and to expand the people’s access to the sacraments and to catechesis.
He already feels “the people understand and appreciate my work.”