UCLAF Assembly in São Paulo

On the second day of the Assembly of the Union of Latin American Franciscan Conferences (UCLAF) being held in São Paulo (Brazil), the friars discussed the reality they face in their own Conferences.

The day began with Morning Prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Br Fredy Gálvez Angulo, President of the Conference of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In his homily, Br. Fredy stated that "all the faithful, without exception and by the baptism they have received, are priests; our priestly function is to offer our lives in the service of God and our brothers and sisters. This common priesthood of all gives meaning to the ordained ministry - bishops, presbyters and deacons - instituted by Jesus Christ to serve the community".

Following this, the friars gathered in the St Damasus Hall for the first session of the day, moderated by Br Nelson Tovar, Minister of the Province of St Paul the Apostle of Colombia. Each President presented his Conference, describing the situations that characterise it: the current context, the entities that make it up, statistics, challenges, projects, abandonment and departure of friars, and safeguarding of minors. This was followed by Br Fredy Gálvez (Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference), Br Daniel Fleitas (Brazil and Southern Cone Conference) and Br José Alirio Rodríguez (Bolivarian Franciscan Conference). Ministers and Custodes were invited to prepare some questions for the General Government and its Definitory, thus creating an atmosphere of dialogue and exchange.

Read the entire message from Br Massimo Fusarelli in PDF:  Spanish - Italian - Portuguese

Read the complete account of the day in Portuguese on the website of the Province of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil

Union of Latin American Franciscan Conferences  
UCLAF comprises the three Franciscan Conferences that bring together the 26 Provinces and Custodies in Latin America: the Franciscan Bolivarian Conference, the Franciscan Conference of Brazil and the Southern Cone, and the Franciscan Conference of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is an animation structure of the Order of Friars Minor that is now 55 years old. It was born under the renewing impulse of the Second Vatican Council to promote unity and collaboration in the life and mission of the Order in the Latin American context. In these years, it has sought to encourage collaboration in its evangelising presences (historic shrines, vicariates, parishes, education, communication, social work, and missionary initiatives) and formation based on the Franciscan charism.