People frequently believe that “Catholic leadership” ends at the pulpit, the principal’s office, or the parish center doors. Cristofer Pereyra seeks to enlarge that perspective

People frequently believe that “Catholic leadership” ends at the pulpit, the principal’s office, or the parish center doors. Cristofer Pereyra seeks to enlarge that perspective.

Under Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Pereyra, a former Univision television reporter, oversaw the Hispanic Mission Office for the Diocese of Phoenix.

However, his eyes were awakened to a new mission: teaching devout lay Catholics how to lead effectively in secular society after participating in a civic leadership training program.

In both small villages and major cities across the United States, Pereyra found that these initiatives are producing future leaders.

He discovered that although they offer helpful advice and fantastic networking possibilities, they also frequently advocate a secular agenda that is in opposition to Catholicism.

The Tepeyac Leadership Initiative, which provides a five-month training course exclusively for lay Catholics, was established by him as a result of the epiphany.

On the initiative’s website, it is stated that the participants are to be educated “on the essential doctrines of the Church and their concrete application to the career world.”

The book “Catholic Leadership for Civil Society: A Practical Guide on Authentic Lay Leadership,” co-written by Pereyra and Erin Monnin, summarizes the main ideas of the initiative.

The introduction was written by Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez.

Pereyra recently spoke with CNA about the book and his conviction that all Catholics are called to leadership.

Here are some of the discussion’s high points:

The book and the Tepeyac Leadership program were both started for what reason?

Showing lay Catholics what it means to be a leader in civil society is what we’ve been attempting to do for the past six years. Additionally, we have been inviting them to understand that this is simply not an option anymore.

In order to influence people for Christ and draw ourselves closer to Christ, it is our genuine calling to strive to become powerful leaders in society.

This is especially for professionals, those who have been given a professional career and a college education by God. My company, Tepeyac Leadershiphallmark ,’s program is the leadership initiative.

We are attempting to form and transform the attitudes of lay Catholics over our five-month, 18-week program.

Then, we are sending them out with a very specific mindset and mission: to integrate themselves into society’s secular institutions.

What inspired you to want to change Catholic leadership?

I was the Hispanic Mission Office’s director while serving Bishop Olmsted. I attended a local Phoenix, Arizona, secular civic leadership development program at the invitation of a diocese official.

My eyes were opened to the world and the realities of civic leadership development in the United States as a result of that experience.

As I learned, it is present in each major American metropolis. They have been putting and launching people into positions of local leadership in their neighborhood. Therefore, their objectives include politics, philanthropy, and service.

Through this scheme, the majority of our public officials in the United States receive their start. Because I frequently stood alone as the only conservative or religious voice in the room during sessions and discussions, I struggled as I went through the program.

Most of these programs, which are spread across the country, produce leaders with ideals that are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching.

I told the bishop, “I don’t think this is a terrible idea. It’s an admirable idea. Who could be opposed to developing leaders? Simply said, the way they’re doing it is incorrect. I think we can do it more effectively.

Tepeyac Leadership was founded using a model that was taken from the secular world.

We chose the name St. Juan Diego for this project purely out of inspiration (who had an encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary on a hill by that name.)

We wanted to ask St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe to pray for the program’s future, and they have done so incredibly well.

What is the goal in particular?

For us, board service is the pinnacle of leadership for Catholic leaders and civil society (on the board of a business or other organization.) Where are the Catholics when important decisions are being made? is the question we are asking.

Catholics, if there are any, either lack the knowledge or the confidence to stand out for the truth.

Therefore, the ultimate goal of our organization is to organize, be ready to deploy, and inspire devout Catholics to seek out seats at those tables where decisions are being made.

These are the kinds of choices that affect culture. Simply put, we simply want to assist in making the proper decisions that will advance the common good and are inspired by our Catholic faith.

We must be well-informed and seated at the table in order to accomplish that.

Is the program just available to senior executives?

The phrase “board service” now has a broader definition. We are undoubtedly referring to actual boards, including those for governance, advisory, fundraising, nonprofit, for-profit, pay-based, and non-pay-based organizations.

On such boards, we most certainly want to see more Catholics. However, we are broadening the definition.

Additionally, we’re discussing your neighborhood’s homeowner’s association, teachers’ union, local school board, and municipality.

At the end of the day, we just need more educated, devoted Catholics in all the places where decisions are being made.

What did Jesus say about becoming a leader?

I’m not sure if the term “leadership” itself is included in the (Gospels). When Jesus tells us to be flawless like his Father is perfect, for example, he is pointing us toward the kind of leaders we must develop.

What exactly is Jesus saying? Since we are only human, we will never be perfect.

He is encouraging us to strive to be the best versions of ourselves each and every day.

Be diligent in developing all the virtues Christ set an example for us. We will be working toward perfection, just as God the Father is, if we make a lifelong commitment to develop our character by adding virtues to it every day.