Continental Meeting of the CLM of America

The atmosphere that prevailed during the continental meeting of the CLM was one of cordiality, brotherhood and family, but also a lot of work was done with enthusiasm in order to journey together. For the members of the continental committee it was a valuable opportunity to meet personally, to spend time together and to reflect together on the movement of the CLM in the continent. The participants were lay people and Comboni advisers of the provinces of Brazil South, Peru, Colombia, Central America, Mexico and the United States & Canada. Unfortunately, Bro. Marco Binaghi had to abandon the meeting because his father fell gravely ill and in fact died a couple of days later. Our most heartfelt condolences go to Marco and to his family.

In the course of the program there took place an historical review of the progress at continental level during which it was remarked that a common journey is just beginning. The CLM came into being in different countries in this order: Mexico (1992), NAP (1993), Brazil (1995), Colombia (1995), Peru (1996), Central America/Guatemala (2009). The local CLM are not the only ones, because from the beginning they were joined by European CLM from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany.

On the topic of formation it was agreed to revise the formation programs in accordance with the existing documents and update them according to the conclusion of the assembly of Ellwangen. This means to follow the stages of formation indicated by the documents, but contextualizing them, according to the needs of each country.

In the community experience the suggestion is that CLM study, work and do pastoral activities. On the topic of ongoing formation the suggestion is tovsend material to all and to have a yearly meeting with those who return.

With regard to organization two countries were chosen to be added to the continental coordinating committee, Mexico and Brazil, and the persons who took up this responsibility are: Manuela Valladares Esquivel of Mexico and Cristina Paulek of Brazil, together with the provincial or delegate responsible in the continent, in this case, Fr. Leandro Leonardo Araya, the Central American Delegation. It was also decided that the continental committee will meet every two years, thus the next meeting will be in Guatemala in 2014.

Some challenges and goal to work on during the following years were identified, chief among them: to consolidate the continental journey, to network at all levels (local, continental and international), the update of the charters (directories-statutes) in line with the continental meetings, to strengthen the international communities,, and to this end the option is made to prioritize Peru and Mozambique, to work at bettering the relations with the Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ).

The meeting took place, not only in a spirit of communion and fraternity, but also with prayer and intercultural exchange. All were happy to have taken part in the meeting and promised to share with other what they lived and agreed upon during this gathering.
Fr. González Galarza Fernando

In the picture from the left standing: Bro. José Pérez Díaz (Guatemala), Bro. Marco Binaghi (Colombia), Fr. George Padoval (Brazil), Tracy Doyle (USA), Cristina Paulek (Brazil), Corina Pacheco Tello (Peru), Fr. Günther Hofmann (Germany), Fr. Fernando González Galarza (Mexico), Fr. Arlindo Ferreira Pinto (Rome), Fr. Leandro Leonardo Araya (Guatemala); Following: Valladares Manuela Esquivel (Mexico), Fr. Sergio Agustoni (Peru), Oscar E. Rosales (Guatemala), Alberto de la Portilla (Spain).