The first meeting of the Dominican Family of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon, was held from 3 to 8 July 2023.
In accordance with the Acts of the General Chapter of Tultenango 2022, n. 141, meetings organized by the General Curia of the Order of Preachers, the Province of St. John the Baptist of Peru, the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, and the Interprovincial Conference of the Dominicans of Latin America and the Caribbean (CIDALC) took place from July 3-8, 2023.
The aim of the gatherings was to get to know, recognize and support the missionary work carried out by the Order in the Amazon, in communion and participation with the Pastoral Plan of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado 2022-2026 and the work carried out through the Amazonian Forests project of the Province of Hispania.
These gatherings provided a space for learning and dialog among lay people, young Dominicans, sisters of apostolic life, members of the indigenous communities, priests of the Apostolic Vicariate, friars and promoters of justice and peace in the region. This was a creative and unified way to see, judge, act and commit themselves to the articulation of five lines of action in the following thematic areas: Kerygma (announcement), Koinonia (communion), Diakonia (service), Liturgy (celebration), and sustainability of this mission entrusted by the Church to the Order.
The essence and heart of this prophetic gathering fills us with hope because Amazonia, as the last General Chapter declared, presents a remarkable opportunity and bright example of authentic synodality in the life and mission of the Church and the Order (cfr. ACG2022, 140).
