For the third time in its history, the Church of Latin America and the Caribbean will hold a Congress of Social Doctrine of the Church, under the theme of “the social dimension of synodality: the cry of the impoverished and of the land” under the auspices of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (Celam).

It will be held between the 21st and April 23, at the Celam headquarters, in Bogotá, Colombia, and according to Guillermo Sandoval, director of the Knowledge Management Center, “it seeks to read the news of our social, economic, cultural and political reality in the light of the Gospel, the teaching of Pope Francis, providing new views and ideas from the perspective of the Gospel, in a synodal key.”

In addition, it is also “a response to demands raised during the First Assembly.” “Ecclesiastical.” The participation of 120 people is expected in person and it is widely open electronically, both by zoom (participants) and social networks (attendees).

Who can participate?

Sandoval explains that to the III Congress "we are all invited, preferably young people. However, the experience and reflection of other groups is also welcome."

To participate in the III DSI Congress of Latin America and the Caribbean, there are three modes: In-person, for which you must pay US$ 100, which includes accommodation for three days and transfers to and from the airport in Bogotá, as well as certification of attendance.

Remote or telematics, via zoom. Registration costs US$10. Allows you to participate in discussion groups. Includes certification of attendance. To register you can use this link: https://forms.office.com/r/RQJntDHVzc

As an attendee you can participate through social networks, at no cost. The Center for Communications will broadcast the Congress in its entirety through its YouTube channel Celam TV and Ecclesial Assembly.

You can also opt for a full or partial scholarship, write to us and substantiate your case. If you can contribute jointly so that other brothers and sisters can participate, a payment button will be enabled soon.

Papers are received

For those who want to send papers, they can do so until March 19, at 24:00 Bogotá hrs. There will be an academic Commission that will select the works that will be exhibited during the Congress. Exhibitors who are selected will be exempt from payment.

Among the selection criteria for the presentations are:

Quality of the work.

Newness of their contribution.

Reflection based on the social, economic, cultural and/or political reality of Latin America and the Caribbean.

To present the works they must send a summary of 1,500 (thousand five hundred) characters.

Times new roman font, number 12, 1.5 spacing.

Papers may be sent to the email cgc@celam.org

Sandoval has also indicated that “the full texts will be published in the Congress Proceedings, which would be available digitally and free of charge in June 2023, along with the conclusions and challenges.”

Even “the documents that are not exhibited and that, according to the Academic Commission, constitute a significant contribution to the social thought of the Church, will also be published in the Report.”

NDP: CELAM