In a celebratory spirit and with great joy, Cáritas Brasileira celebrated the 28th National Assembly, with the election of the board of directors for the next four years. The meeting, with more than 400 participants, took place from November 27th to 30th, in Belo Horizonte. Cáritas agents, partners from Brazil and the world, as well as representatives of public authorities were present at the historic moment, which brought reflections on the last four years of the network and the next period of the institution, which is an organization of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB).

In communion with the Latin American journey, the regional coordinator, Nicolás Meyer, and members of the Southern Cone, Paula Porce (Argentina), Agustina Langwagen were present (Uruguay and zonal coordinator) and Ricardo González (Paraguay). Along with the directors, Selacc communicator Marcus Tullius participated.

This year's National Assembly had the theme “Caritas in Synodality: in the fight for rights and socio-environmental justice” and as its motto: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice” (Mt 5:6). Throughout the days, the moments echoed the work and concrete gestures that are carried out by the network in the different territories of Brazil, with reflections, celebratory moments and visits to experiences around the capital of Minas Gerais.

National board and fiscal council

The 28th National Assembly of Cáritas Brasileira was also a space for institutional decisions. The network elected the board of directors and the fiscal council, which will represent the network in the next four years (2024-2027).

On the first day, the names of the board were agreed upon: with 138 votes, Dom Mário Antônio da Silva, Archbishop of Cuiabá/MT, was re-elected president; With 139 votes, Cleusa Alves da Silva, from Cáritas Diocesana de Bom Jesus da Lapa/BA, was re-elected vice-president. Antônia Botelho, from Cáritas Diocesana of Abaetetuba/PA, was also elected as secretary, with 103 votes; and Anadete Gonçalves, from Cáritas Arquidiocesana de Brasília/DF as treasurer, with 97 votes.

For the fiscal council, Istélia Folha, from Cáritas Diocesana de Palmas/TO, Itamar de Carvalho Souza, from Cáritas Diocesana de Pesqueira/PE, Luciano França, from Cáritas Diocesana de Ruy Barbosa/BA, were elected as incumbents. Paulo Evangelista, from Cáritas Arquidiocesana of Aracaju/SE, and Wellington Moreira Azevedo, from Cáritas Diocesana of Governador Valadares/MG, took over as substitute council member for the next four years.

Check out full news on the Cáritas Brazilian portal.