Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean has a Theological Commission that will advise and generate inputs for theological reflection, from the Latin American and Caribbean ecclesial and cultural identity, and in line with the path of the particular churches and National Cáritas of the region.

The team is made up of theologians from different countries of the continent and had its first virtual meeting on June 25, where the formal presentation of the members was made and They outlined the next steps. The expert members of the commission participated in the meeting, the president of Cáritas LAC and archbishop of Yucatán, Mons. Gustavo Rodríguez Vega, the regional coordinator, Nicolás Meyer, the reference of the regional spirituality, volunteering and parish animation team, Fr. Francisco de Asís de La Rosa Patrón, and the region's communicator, Marcus Neto.

During the call process, people from nine different countries applied, including men and women, from different states of life. After the evaluation, the team was made up of:

• Alzirinha Rocha de Souza - Brazil
• Cesar Augusto Kuzma - Brazil
• Cesar José Porras - Venezuela
• Pbro. Camilo Daniel Pérez - Mexico
• Pbro. Edwin Aguiluz Milla - Costa Rica
• Pbro. Francisco de Aquino Junior - Brazil
• Sandra Ester Arenas Pérez - Chile
• Tania Ávila - Bolivia
• Monsignor Vicente Martín - Spain

The commission will be coordinated by Fr. Francisco de Aquino Junior and will have as collaborating members Dr. Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and Monsignor Joaquim Mol, auxiliary bishop of Belo Horizonte.

"We believe that it is an initiative that will allow us to strengthen the roots and theological reflections of our practice of the social dimension of evangelization, in the light of the teachings and tradition of the Church, especially in its body and Latin American history and Caribbean", commented Nicolas Meyer about the commission.

At the first meeting of the commission, Fr. Francis of Assisi highlighted the objectives:

• Deepen and theologically base Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen its identity and spirituality.
• Reflect theologically and guide the evangelizing action of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean on situations of social and ecclesial reality.
• Reflect theologically to be able to see beyond and carry out the prophetic task of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Offer theological reflection for other communities of life and service of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean.

The creation of the Theological Commission of Cáritas LAC represents a significant step towards strengthening the identity and spirituality of Cáritas in the region, connecting with the being and work of the Church.