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.
Dominican Month for Peace 2023: Amazon
1 September 2023 – Unusual weather events worldwide in 2023, including heatwaves, floods, landslides, and wildfires, have impacted families and the Dominican Family. This year’s Month of Peace focuses on the Amazon Region, spanning eight countries, extending until March 31, 2024.”
From 2 to 8 July 2023 in the Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon took place a fruitful first meeting of the Dominican Family of Latin America and the Caribbean, organised by the General Curia of the Order of Preachers, the Province of St. John the Baptist of Peru, the Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado (VICAPM) and CIDALC.
On Sunday, 27 August 2023, in Helsinki Cathedral, Brother Gregorius Pehrman, OP, made his solemn profession in the Order as a cooperator brother. For the Dominican family, whose friars played a central role in the evangelization of the country in the 13th century, the event had a historic character. Even though Brother Gregorius is the third Finn to join the Order since the friars returned to Finland in 1949 (the friars made profession in France during their formation), it was the first profession of a religious in Finland since the Reformation.
Fr. Robert will take up his duties as President of the PIMS on 1 October 2023, the start of the new academic year.
First meeting of the Dominican Family of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon, Puerto Maldonado, from 3 to 8 July 2023.
On 15 August 2023, fr. Gerard Timoner, Master of the Order and Grand Chancellor of the École Biblique, has appointed fr. Olivier Poquillon, op, next Director of the École Biblique in Jerusalem. On 1 October, he will succeed fr. Jean Jacques Pérennès, who is coming to the end of his second term.
