Watch the interview and read the English transcript below.

English Transcript

Anchor:
And this is truly news that fills us with great pride. One of our own has been named the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York, becoming the first layperson to lead the organization in its 108-year history. We’re talking about Antonio Fernández, a leader with more than two decades of experience in social services. Our colleague Ricardo Villarini has the details.

Reporter:
The new Executive Director of Catholic Charities in New York is a family man. After hundreds of years of having only priests and bishops in charge, it’s now a layperson — someone married, with a family — who will be responsible for this enormous organization, which includes nearly 10,000 employees across all its affiliated agencies.

Antonio Fernández:
For me, it has been an enormous honor. The very fact that I am not clergy makes this a historic appointment. As you’ve just seen, I speak perfect Spanish because I was born in Spain — the motherland. It’s an honor, and it’s in my blood. My blood is about helping people who are in need, helping others as I have been helped — as have millions of immigrants here in the United States.

Reporter:
Antonio Fernández, who began his career with the organization in Chicago and later in San Antonio, has more than two decades of experience expanding access to essential human services for vulnerable communities. Appointed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, his mission is clear.

Antonio Fernández:
At the end of the day, it’s very simple. At Catholic Charities, we help everyone — from babies still in their mother’s womb to an elderly person preparing to go to heaven. Everything in between is our responsibility. We must help — whether it’s with food, youth services, legal aid, housing, or resources to pay rent, to pay whatever is needed. And in a city like New York, there is so much that can be done.

Reporter:
What was the first thing you wanted to do? What came to mind?

Antonio Fernández (smiling):
Go eat Puerto Rican food — that’s the first thing I did! I came to New York and went to eat at a place in the South Bronx — I think it’s called Casa Adela — I loved it! Of course, I’m lucky to be married to a Puerto Rican woman.

Reporter:
Currently, Catholic Charities serves over 400,000 New Yorkers each year. Last year, the organization provided more than 10 million meals through soup kitchens and food pantries, supported nearly 100,000 children through after-school and other programs, and assisted 108,000 immigrants arriving in the United States.

The agency also works with families in crisis and individuals experiencing homelessness. One of Antonio Fernández’s first actions was to visit families affected by the partial collapse of a Bronx building.

Antonio Fernández:
That’s what I believe Catholic Charities must do more of — to be present at the scenes of disasters in New York to support those people, whether through churches, agencies, or directly through us.