The Order of Preachers convened the First Meeting of Amazonian Missions to engage the Dominican Family in the mission, especially in Peru’s Amazon through the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado.
On 19 September, 2023, the first Provincial Chapter of the new Province of St. Charles Lwanga elected Br. Gabriel Samba, OP, as its first Prior Provincial. After confirmation by the Master of the Order, Br. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, Br. Gabriel accepted this responsibility on 20 September, 2023.
On September 3, 2023, the Vice-Provincial Chapter of the Vice-Province of St. Catherine of Siena of Ecuador elected Br. Armando Villalta Alfonso Salazar, OP, as its new Prior Vice-Provincial. After confirmation by the Master of the Order, Br. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, Br. Armando accepted this responsibility on September 5, 2023.
Fr. Jarosław describes the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the fear and unrest it has caused. Despite this, the people of Ukraine are celebrating their traditional Day of Vyshyvanka. He talks also about he recent visit of the Master of the Order, who awarded the “Benemerenti” medal to volunteers from the House of Saint Martin de Porres in Fastiv, Ukraine.
On September 3, 2023, the Master of the Order, Br. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, appointed Br. Fernando Delgado Flórez, OP, as his Socius for Latin America and the Caribbean. Br. Fernando is from the Vice-Province of Bolivia and succeeds br. Juan Manuel Hernández Hernández, OP, who has been appointed Socius for Fraternal Life and Formation.
On September 3, 2023 the Master of the Order, Br Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP has instituted Br Juan Manuel Hernández Hernández, OP as his Socius for Fraternal Life and Formation.
Fr. Rómulo Vásquez Gavidia, OP, discusses the Dominican mission in the Amazon, which began in 1900. Collaboration and challenges persist as the 10-year funding agreement with Hispania ends in 2027, requiring the Order to play a more significant role.
In a meeting of Dominican Amazonian Missions in Puerto Maldonado, from July 2nd to 8th, 2023, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea reflects on the Dominican Order’s commitment to keeping alive the church in the Peruvian Amazon. This gathering offered hope in a region where religious presence is declining, emphasizing the importance of the Amazon’s contribution to the world.
On 8 September 2023, the Master of the Order, Br. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, appointed Br. Cristóbal Torres Iglesias, OP, son of the Province of St. Martin de Porres in the USA, as General Promoter for the Laity. Br. Cristóbal succeeding Br. Juan Ubaldo López Salamanca, OP, son of the Province of St. Louis Bertrand in Colombia.
On 27 August 2023, the Vicariate of Angola welcomed three new priests: Mário Cardoso Lisboa Cuvalela, OP, Mariano Dinha Domingos, OP, and Tomás Chissambo Luís, OP. They were ordained by Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias. The event was attended by fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, Master of the Order.