AMERICA/HAITI - Continental Caritas Meeting concludes with election of new direction, next meeting in Argentina

Port au Prince (Fides Service) - The 16th Latin American and Caribbean Caritas Conference and 3rd Continental Pastoral-Social Caritas week-long Meeting in Porta au Prince Haiti, on the theme "Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ for a more inclusive and sharing America" (see Fides 14/3/2007) attended by 200 experts, closed on 24 March.
"The world is not built only with categories of material wealth or economy. If we give first place to the human person, human dignity and hope we can build a new world", Mgr Pierre Dumas, President of Caritas Haiti said at the meeting. "This ecclesial event helps not only Haiti. It is a way to follow the process integration of the continent’s countries with mutual understanding and solidarity. For the bishops, the faithful and all men and women in Haiti it is a way to take our destiny in our own hands and play a role in our history", said Mgr Dumas.
The event was prepared in the four regions Bolivariana, CAMEXPA, Caribbean and Cono Sud with meetings of which the emerging conclusions served as a basis for the Caritas Meeting. The results of this Meeting will be a basis for the next regional plan.
A new direction was elected at the Meeting: Mgr Fernando María Bargalló, president Caritas Argentina, was elected Regional Caritas president he takes the place of Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez, auxiliary of San Salvador; the new Regional Secretary is Sandoval, of Mexico, who succeeds Francisco Hernández Rossi of Costa Rica; elected coordinators are: Caribbean Marcia Boxill (national director Caritas Santa Lucia); Bolivariana Giorgio Peroni (national director Caritas Ecuador); Central America, Mexico and Panama, Rev. Germán Cáliz (national director Caritas Honduras); Cono Sud Gabriel Castelli (national director Caritas Argentina). The next Regional Caritas meeting in four years time will be held in Argentina. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2007; righe 27, parole 375)