More than 250 people, including Edward Cardinal Egan, the archbishop of New York, and salsa legend Willie Colón, gathered in New York City to honor the work of leaders within the Hispanic community. The second annual Bible in Hispanic America gala honored former New York Yankee baseball player Bernie Williams; Jaime Cardinal Ortega Alamino, archbishop of Havana, Cuba; Maria Elena Girone, from the Puerto Rican Family Institute; Father Joseph P. Parkes of Cristo Rey New York High School; and Chick-fil-A, which closes all its restaurant locations on Sundays (Atlanta franchise owner Alex Rodriguez accepted the award on behalf of the company).
A representative from Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office was there to read a proclamation to make the day of the event The Bible in Hispanic America Day: “We commend the American Bible Society — The Bible in Hispanic America in particular — for providing our Spanish-speaking residents with the means to pursue their spiritual selves.”
Proceeds that were raised during the gala are being used to fund programs such as Encounter with the Bible (Lectio Divina) and La Biblia Es Mi Guía Bible advocacy program.
