AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Missionary reawakening of the Church in Guatemala continues: over 3000 attend 2nd national Mission Congress

Quetzaltenango (Fides Service) - The archdiocese of Los Altos Quetzaltenango-Totonicapán guided by its Bishop Víctor Hugo Martínez is hosting 6-8 May the 2nd National Mission Congress COMGUA 2 convoked by the Catholic Bishops of Guatemala. The Congress has brought together 3,000 participants: 539 children, 531 young people, 1336 adults, 312 priests and religious, all the Bishops of Guatemala and guests from other central American countries and 550 organisation volunteers. This 3rd major missionary event aims to continue to nourish the missionary spirit which was reinvigorated by the celebration of the 2nd American Mission Congress CAM 2. In fact following CAM 2 almost every diocese in Guatemala held its own Diocesan Mission Congress or at least Mission Days or Mission Feasts to keep the new mission spirit and commitment alive.
Aware of the crucial role of the parish from the growth of individual mission commitment COMGUA 2 chose the slogan “Making Our Parish Missionary”. Reflection and workshop discussion will focus on two themes: “How the present social-religious situation in Guatemala challenges Mission” illustrated by Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri of San Marcos diocese and “Making Our Parish Missionary” illustrated by guest speaker Bishop Francois Lapierre of Saint-Hyacinthe diocese in Canada. The COMGUA 2 logo which bears the Cross set between the signs of the Eucharist, Chalice and the Host, underlines the inseparable bond between the Eucharist and Mission as is stated by the words underneath the image: Eucharist , heart and soul of mission. The CAM 2 logo, inserted in the upper axis of the Cross recalls that COMGUA follows CAM 2 of which it is a fruit. Other elements referring to the parish and mission include an open book, the Word of God ,and a group of people holding hands, the Community.
Local families in Los Altos Quetzaltenango-Totonicapán have opened their homes to accommodate the Congress participants. The congress is being held at two sites, the CEFEMERC Fair and Market Centre in Quetzaltenango and the Mario Camposeco Sports Complex. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 6/5/2005, righe 28, parole 348).