Sixth American Missionary Congress (CAM 6) Meets In Puerto Rico
Joaquim Magalhães de Castro
The Caribbean, specifically the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, was recently the meeting place for all missionaries from the American continent. The Sixth American Missionary Congress (CAM6) was held there in the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium from November 19 to 24. At this historic event – the first time the Congress was held in the Caribbean – participants from all over the Americas gathered to “celebrate and promote the missionary spirit of the Church”.
The opening mass, attended by over 12,000 faithful, was presided over by Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Papal Legate of CAM6. Among the 50 bishops present, the highlights were Archbishop Emilio Nappa, International President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn. Also present were 35 diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States, thus demonstrating the strong support of that country for global missionary efforts.
As reported by Father José Orlando Camacho Torres, General Coordinator of CAM6, this Congress has been years in the making, and its starting point was a missiological journey in 2018 whose objective was to rekindle missionary efforts throughout the continent and the world. In this regard, Father Camacho Torres commented: “The Church in Puerto Rico rose to the occasion, as it gave a fitting welcome to the thousands of pilgrims who gathered there for a week of mission and reflection.”
For those unable to attend in person, the opening event and key moments of the Congress were broadcast online – in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese – through CAM6’s official media channels, namely Facebook and YouTube, with sign language interpreters ensuring the accessibility of the content to the deaf community.
From November 19 to 24, more than 1,300 local and foreign missionaries, imbued with the motto “America, Empowered by the Spirit, Witnesses of Christ”, participated in multiple sessions and workshops on a variety of themes to deepen their commitment to the “missionary call of the Church”. In fact, CAM6 invited all the faithful to renew “their dedication to spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth”.
The American Missionary Congress (CAM) is an important ecclesial event that aims to reinvigorate the missionary spirit in the Americas. Since its inception in 1977 with the first National Missionary Congress in Mexico, CAM has evolved into a continental gathering that fosters dialogue, reflection, and action among bishops, clergy, religious, and lay people dedicated to the evangelizing mission of the Church. These congresses provide a platform for sharing experiences, addressing challenges, and formulating strategies to promote the Gospel from north to south in the American continent.
Historically, CAM has been hosted in a variety of countries, each contributing uniquely to the missionary discourse. Following the inaugural congress in Mexico, subsequent meetings have been held in countries such as Argentina, Guatemala, and Venezuela, each addressing the specific missionary challenges and opportunities of each region. The most recent, CAM5, took place in Bolivia in 2018 and brought together thousands of participants who reflected on the missionary identity of the Church and strategized about the most effective methods for evangelization. These congresses have been instrumental in shaping the Church’s missionary trajectory, fostering a spirit of collaboration and inspiring initiatives that resonate beyond the host countries.
The parish of San Antonio de Padua, under the guidance of the Redemptorist Fathers, located in the heart of Guayama, Puerto Rico, was one of those that excelled in its role as “host site” for the Sixth American Missionary Congress. This parish had the honor of hosting missionaries from different countries, who were welcomed with all the “human warmth and hospitality” of the members of the local Catholic community. Four of the local Redemptorists – Fathers Edgar L. Torres, José Rached Felipe Santiago and Felipe Andrews – were particularly active in the preparation and execution of the congress, providing all the necessary support to the missionaries coming from abroad. Father Edgar said in this regard: “This is a moment of grace for our community. Not only do we welcome the missionaries with joy, but we unite as a family in the common mission of taking the message of Christ to every corner of the continent.” Father Philip Andrews added: “Responding as good missionaries to this initiative encourages us to continue working towards a Church more committed to Evangelization. The Congress is an opportunity for the faithful and priests of Guayama to strengthen their missionary identity and continue to be witnesses of the love of Christ in their daily lives.”
The American Missionary Congress remains a “special event of universal missionary animation” that aims to share experiences, difficulties and make decisions for a renewed missionary impulse. All the particular Churches of the American continent participated in it by sending their bishops, priests and community leaders. From November 19 to 24, 2024, Puerto Rico and the entire Caribbean were the gateway to strengthen the roots and promote the faith of the particular Churches of the continent.
Follow
