Fátima, Portugal. Under the motto “Building Together a Missionary Province,” the Province of Fátima (Spain, Portugal, Zimbabwe, and United Kingdom) held its Second Chapter from December 27 to January 3, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of its establishment. The gathering, which brought together 52 capitulars and one invited student, was described as a deeply positive experience of communion and provincial discernment.
The Chapter took place in the city of Fátima and was presided over by the delegate of the Superior General, Fr. Pedro Belderrain Belderrain, who had previously conducted the canonical visitation. During the first days, the Reports of Government and Economy were reviewed, and explicit gratitude was expressed to the outgoing Council for the service rendered to the Province.
One of the central moments was the election of the new Government team. Fr. Jorge Ramón Sánchez Palacios, CMF, formerly Provincial Vicar and Prefect of Apostolate, was elected as the new Provincial Superior. Along with him, the following were elected as councillors and prefects: Fr. José Enrique García Rizo, CMF, as Provincial Econome; Fr. Martín Areta Higuera, CMF, in the Prefecture of Youth and Vocational Ministry; Fr. Abílio Jorge Correia Ramos, CMF, in the newly established Prefecture of Community Life and Spirituality, and also appointed Provincial Vicar; and Fr. Manuel Jesús Ogalla Carrera, CMF, in the Prefecture of Apostolate.
The Chapter reaffirmed, with some adjustments, the Dream of God for this Province defined in the First Chapter and worked on operational proposals aligned with the three processes of transformation embraced by the Congregation. This work, coordinated by the Central Commission, was compiled into a document containing both evaluative and projective sections.
The gathering also included the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by the Claretian bishop, Msgr. Manuel António Mendes dos Santos, as well as a fraternal visit from the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, Msgr. José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ. In order to harmonize the rhythm of the Province with that of the Congregation, the new term of Government will last three years.
Source: Juan Carlos Monroy, CMF, Province of Fátima, Secretary.
