From March 18 to 22, in the city of Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil, the Expanded Regional Coordination - CORE of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean takes place, which brings together the coordinators of the areas, representatives of the work and service teams, the regional secretariat team and cooperators.

In the opening session, the president of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, Monsignor Gustavo Rodríguez, and the president of Cáritas Brasileira, Monsignor Mário Antônio da Silva, met, together with some directors of Cáritas Nacionales, to greet those present.

For the regional coordinator, Nicolás Meyer,

"this space of regional coordination allows us to feel part of a living body, which with different gifts and charisms listens to the Cry of the earth and the warmth of the poor. We know that the challenges are enormous, but we feel the hope of this ecclesial moment that invites us to continue working for a more just and fraternal."

Listening, sharing and looking at reality fraternally

The work dynamics of the meeting include moments of group sharing and transversal dialogues to find the links between the different activities. The first day of work opened with a moment of spirituality and a day of listening. Gabriela Blanco (Cáritas Argentina), Fr. Francisco de Asís (Cáritas Mexicana) and Marcus Neto (SELACC) facilitated the reflection and encouraged us to work with renewed commitment for those most in need. Each participant brought with them a sign representative of their mission at Cáritas.

In a moment dedicated to the ecclesial context of the region, Cristina dos Anjos (Cáritas Brasileira) shared her experience during the session of the first Assembly of the Synod on Synodality and Moisés Sbardelotto, doctor in Communication and professor at PUC Minas, spoke about the mission of the Church in the digital environment. The social, economic and political context of the region was presented by Maurício Abdalla, professor of Philosophy at the Federal University of Espírito Santo, based on a critical reading of reality based on objective and subjective changes and their consequences.

Visit to Brumadinho

One of the most notable moments of the meeting was the visit to the Pastorinhas Settlement, in the city of Brumadinho, to learn about the reality of the communities affected by the collapse of the Vale S.A. dam. on January 25, 2019. During the visit, the participants were able to talk with the farmer Valeria Antônia Silva Carneiro and with the Cáritas Minas Gerais technician Lucas Rodrigues.

Valeria highlighted that Cáritas has been accompanying her for about 20 years in training in food safety and participatory training. The current phase of Caritas support in the locality is to ensure the broad and unrestricted participation of affected communities. This participation must also take into account the accumulation of knowledge and the diagnosis of damages since the legal agreement was signed.

The work day concluded with a Eucharistic celebration at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Brumadinho, and a dinner with the community.

After the meeting, the strategic plan will be integrated into the Strategic Framework published in January 2024.