On May 24, 25 and 26, the Spanish Confederation of Religious held the XXVIII General Assembly of the CONFER under the motto “Currents of Synodality”.
In it, the Major Superiors who are members of the CONFER have elected Aniuska Coromoto Aponte, HFI and Mª Rosario Ten Soriano, FMA, as new members for the General Council of the CONFER.
These days, the Congregation of Conceptionist Missionary Religious of Teaching, together with CONFER, we have fueled our desire and our need. That of being Church together that drinks from the same Source and walks along the multiple paths of unity in diversity. We celebrate a path, from the potter's workshop to the Fountain. Drink together to leave later, that our water runs and makes it germinate.
To help them in this process of discernment and deepening in the synodal journey, they have had Cristina Inogés-Sanz and Mª Luisa Berzosa, FI, people close to the synodal work, even from within the synodal journey itself undertaken by the Church; Fernando Cordero, SSCC, who has not been in person with us, has joined the preparatory work, but we thank him in advance for his collaboration and contribution to the joint work with Cristina and Mª Luisa.
The Assembly was opened on the 24th at 10:30 a.m. by the President of the CEVC, Monsignor Luis Ángel de las Heras, Jesús Díaz Sariego, OP, President of the CONFER, Lourdes Perramon, OSR, Vice President of the CONFER and the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Bernardito Auza who sent a video message.
In a speech delivered to around 200 Superiors General and Provincials, the President of CONFER and the Vice President have expressed that “We feel like Church, walking together, building together God's desire to be a united family, where each one, from the vocation received, deploys all their potential to feel protagonist and builder of the Church of Jesus: a Church that wants to be fraternal , broad, inclusive, where everyone fits and where we can say the best word that springs from within us. As joyful witnesses of the resurrected that we are, we do not lose sight of our commitment to the most vulnerable in society.”
The Bishop of León, Monsignor Luis Ángel de las Heras, for his part, has highlighted that “We all find ourselves, although from different charisms and ministries, in the same and unique «evangelizing mission» of the Church, our reason for being. Consecrated life "is not an isolated and marginal reality [but is] at the very heart of the Church as a decisive element for her mission" ”.
The Apostolic Nuncio Bernardito Auza has celebrated that “Within this pre-synodal stage that the Pope addressed to you on the last day, you can read and deduce the paths of communion, participation and mission in the keys and questions that the Pope poses to you to offer your precious help, collaboration and contribution to the synodal process. This year it was possible to hold this assembly, which in his opinion is a sign that the effects of the pandemic are gradually being overcome.”
During this meeting, the CONFER Activity Report, the 2021 Economic Report and the 2023 Budget.
Also at the XXVIII General Assembly, an update of the Protocol for Protection and Action in cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults was approved, with the help of Comillas and the CONFER Legal Office.
To end this Thursday, the 26th, the Closing speech by the President of the CONFER, Jesús Díaz Sariego, OP, entitled `Oteando Horizontes´, took place.
The XXVIII General Assembly of the CONFER has ended with a Eucharist presided over by the President of the CEVC, Monsignor Luis Ángel de las Heras. These meetings have taken place at the Hotel ELBA Madrid located at Calle Alcalá nº 476.
You can watch his channel Youtube the full day on Tuesday, May 24, the work on Wednesday 25 until 2:00 p.m. and the Closing speech by the President and the Eucharist on Thursday 26.
Also in the next link You can download the photos of the meeting.