As part of the celebration of its 70 years of service, Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean formally began, on Wednesday, April 15, the Diploma in Identity and Spirituality. The inaugural session had a massive participation of 84 registered people, from 19 countries in the region, marking the beginning of a training itinerary of 10 sessions that will last until June 24.

The meeting, which had an introductory nature and a review of more practical information for the proper development of the diploma, had the participation of the archbishop of Yucatán (Mexico) and president of Cáritas LAC, Mons. Gustavo Rodríguez Vega and the regional coordinator, Nicolas Meyer, who welcomed, framing the proposal in the current socio-political context and regional strategy and path.

The preparation and organization of the diploma is in charge of the regional Team of Identity, Spirituality and Parish Animation, which has been working for two years on this proposal, with the accompaniment of the Regional Secretariat, especially the area of Formation.

A path of conversion and listen

This diploma emerged as a response to the social context of the post-pandemic and the "cry of the people." Under the synodal approach promoted by Pope Francis, the training seeks to provide national and diocesan teams with tools favoring pastoral conversion and social transformation, to encourage and consolidate processes of identity, spirituality and parish animation of the diocesan Cáritas.

Michael Belmont, from Cáritas Argentina and coordinator of the diploma, shared the joy of the beginning of this first edition of the diploma. “We had the introductory session telling a little about the logistical aspects and delving into a first description of identity and spirituality to then focus in the next meetings on the following four modules for identity and a deepening of the features of the spirituality of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean in these times.”

For Neuza Mafra, of Cáritas Brasileira, member of the team and one of the tutors of the diploma, this initiative is the result of a deep commitment to rewriting and strengthening regional identity, increasing the sense of belonging.

What we are and what we do at Cáritas is the fruit of the great love of God, who entrusted us with the mission of putting the most impoverished at the center. The diploma course is already a power due to its ability to bring together almost all the countries of our continent, renewing our hopes for a more humanized world.

Sharing his feelings about the beginning of the diploma course, Mafra framed it by quoting the founder of Cáritas Brasileira, Dom Helder Câmara: "Do not let the prophecy fall!" self-employment until June 10. The program begins with an analysis of the sociocultural and ecclesiastical context of the region, allowing agents to situate their work in light of the current problems of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Subsequently, the training delves into the biblical and ecclesiological foundations, where they reflect on the identity of Cáritas as a "Church on the way out" that serves from the encounter with Jesus Christ. The journey culminates with a module dedicated to spirituality, designed to strengthen the personal and pastoral conversion of participants, directing their commitment towards social transformation and the construction of supportive communities at all levels.