Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – During the celebration of the 46th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference of the Dominican Republic (CED), which took place in early July 2008, a new directive team was elected: President - Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo; Vice-President – Bishop Gregorio Nicanor Peña Rodríguez of the Diocese of La Altagracia, Higüey; Secretary General – Fr. Francisco Antonio Jiménez Rosario; Assistant Secretary – Fr. Carmelo Santana. The Permanent Council of the CED has remained with the same President, Vice-President, and Secretaries, in addition to Bishops Ramón Benito de la Rosa and Carpió y Mons. José Dolores Grullón Estrella. All the Presidents of the Commissions have also remained the same.
During this Plenary Assembly, in addition to the elections, the following themes were addressed: the Great Continental Mission (2009-2011), the 3rd National Pastoral Plan, the celebration of the Year of St. Paul convoked by Pope Benedict XVI, the Human Development Report, the draft of the Law for Religious Associations, the proceedings of the Pontifical University “Madre y Maestra” (Mother and Teacher) and the consecration of the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
As is the custom, there was a Day Retreat held on the occasion, directed by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Józef Wesolowski, who spoke on the Eucharist and the Word in the ministry of a bishop.
During the Assembly, a visit was also made by the President of the Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, with whom the Bishops spoke in depth on the current situation of the country and an outlook on the future. At the end of the Plenary Assembly, there was a blessing of the new facilities of Caritas of the Dominican Republic. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/7/2008)
