Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) - Today 23 April the Catholic Bishops of Ecuador opened a five day Plenary Assembly on the theme “The Missionary Dimension of the Church”. This evening the Bishops will unite in prayer. On Tuesday 24 there will be the opening session with addresses by the president of the Bishops' Conference Bishop Néstor Herrera of the diocese of Machala and the Apostolic Nuncio in Ecuador Archbishop. Giacomo Guido Ottonello. The assembly will discuss various matters connected with the Conference activity and then focus on the main theme chosen in line with the celebration of CAM 3, Third American Mission Congress in 2008 in Quito (Ecuador).
Conferences during the Plenary will include: "The missionary activity of the Church in Ecuador yesterday, historic summary" by Cardinal Antonio González, emeritus archbishop of Quito and president of the CAM 3 central commission; "The missionary activity of the Church in Ecuador today " Bishop Néstor Herrera; "the Missionary Dimension in the Particular Church", Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga of Tunja, president of the Bishops' Conference of Colombia; "The missionary dimension in Ad Gentes documents, Evangelii Nuntiandi and Redemptoris Missio”, by Bishop Rafael Cob of the diocese of Puyo. Group discussion on "the missionary tradition of the Church in Ecuador" and "The missionary Priorities of the Church in Ecuador."
Wednesday 25 April Archbishop Raúl Vela Chiriboga of Quito will give a general presentation of CAM 3, the main events of CAM 2 and continuity in CAM 3. Thursday 26 April the Bishops will listen to a report by the CAM 3 Central Organising Commission, beginning from the path of preparation started in 2004. The participants will receive a draft copy of the Working Paper to collect impressions and suggestions and also outline a programme with which the whole Church in Ecuador will undertake a process of preparation for CAM 3 and the celebration of a national Mission Year 2008 announced by the Bishops' Conference. Lastly there will be the presentation of a pastoral letter in a missionary key to increase missionary awareness in the country and collect suggestions and opinions for the final draft. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2007; righe 29, parole 369)
