Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – Following the motto "In Christ we build one America for all", organization has begun for the XVII Latin American/Carribean Congress for Caritas and the Fourth Continental Meeting of the Pastoral-Social Groups of Caritas, which will be held October 11 to 16 in Pilar, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to information gathered by Fides, the event will involve about 180 representatives of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Region of North America (U.S. and Canada), members of Caritas Internationalis, and members of other Caritas. "We open the doors of our 'home' and our hearts to receive them, knowing that we are united by a common vocation: to be witnesses and prophets of hope in the region," said Archbishop Fernando Bargalló, President of the Pastoral-Social Group Caritas of the Latin American/Caribbean Region and Caritas Argentina, referring to this meeting that last took place three years ago in Haiti.
The Pastoral-Social Group Caritas plays an intense work in terms of projects to support the development of those living in poverty and exclusion. Therefore, the objective of the Congress is "moving towards a common identity and mission of Caritas on the continent through pastoral conversion, to address the current challenges in order to 'build one America for all.'"
In preparation for this Congress, there were meetings called “Argentinitos,” in which national leaders of every Caritas group met by area: Bolivian countries, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and Panama (“CAMEXPA”) and the Southern Cone, to assess the progress made during this last period, reflect on institutional identity and spirituality and, eventually, to discern the next steps to take in light of the challenges in the region. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2010)
