From Diocese of Georgetown’s delegation
The 6th Mission Congress of the Americas (CAM 6), held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from November 19 to 26, brought together
thousands of Catholics from across the Americas in a dynamic celebration of faith and mission.
With the theme “America, in the power of the Spirit, witnesses to Christ,” the Congress served as a powerful platform to deepen the Church’s understanding of its missionary identity and renew its commitment to evangelization.
The Mission Congress of the Americas, a meeting of people committed to mission work is held once every five years. CAM, which is organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), has a history that began in Mexico in 1977. Canada joined the Congress for the first time in 1999 in Argentina, which led to the name being changed to the Mission Congress of the Americas.
The previous CAMs were held in:
- Guatemala in 2003
- Ecuador in 2008
- Venezuela in 2013
- Bolivia in 2018
- The next CAM will be held in Brazil.
Key Themes & Highlights:
The Congress delved into foundational themes, providing profound insights and inspiring calls to action:
- The Trinity as the Source of
Mission At the heart of the Congress was a reflection on the Trinitarian foundation of mission, highlighting God’s initiative in send ing the Church to the world as a living witness to His love.
- The Church as a Missionary Church
Emphasizing the essential nature of mission, participants explored how the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel to all, especially the marginalized and those on the peripheries of society.
- The Importance of Encounter Authentic encounter with others, particularly the excluded and vulnerable, was underscored as a vital aspect of the Church’s mission, reflecting Christ’s example of compassion and outreach.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit the Congress highlighted the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s mission, guiding and equipping mis-missionary disciples to courageously share the Good News.
- Synodality in Mission The concept of a synodal Church—marked by dialogue, participation, and shared responsibility—was presented as a crucial element for effective mission and addressing social inequalities.
- Missionary Discipleship Participants were reminded of their baptismal call to be missionary disciples, living out their faith and actively proclaiming the Gospel in their daily lives. Global Testimonies and Cultural Immersion Missionaries from diverse contexts shared moving testimonies about the joys and challenges of evangelization in various cultural and faith settings. These stories highlighted the universality of the Church’s mission and the need for collaboration across borders. Participants also immersed themselves in Puerto Rico’s vibrant Catholic heritage, with visits to historic sites and celebrations that showcased the island’s deep faith and cultural richness.
The AEC Delegation the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) was represented by 61 participants, including six from the Diocese of Georgetown. This is the first year that our Diocese has participated
in CAM. The delegation from Guyana was
comprised of:
- Mr. Paul Braam: Diocesan Pastoral Council
- Sr. Elizabeth Small RSM : PMS team/Religious
- Ms. Roxanne Douglas : Diocesan Pastoral Council/ PMS team
- Ms. Kean Chase :PMS Director of Projects
- Ms. Angie Sukhai :PMS Director
- Ms. Christopher Sukhai: (Parish Youth)
Active engagement enriched the Congress and underscored the vital role of the Caribbean Church in the Americas’ missionary efforts.
CAM 6 was a resounding success, leaving participants invigorated and inspired. It was a powerful reminder of the Church’s universal mission and the need for unity, collaboration, and joyful evangelization. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Congress concluded with a renewed commitment to be witnesses of Christ, living out the Gospel in a world in need of hope and transformation.
We are reminded of our baptismal call to be missionary disciples, living out our faith and actively proclaiming the Gospel in our daily lives.
Our delegation feels that our aims to renew our missionary zeal and our universal call to evangelization, to deepen our understanding of our missionary identity, and to renew our commitment to mission of love and hope were achieved. Our Mission is to collectively evangelize the Gospel through working with the poor, with those on the peripheries and the marginalized; to be strong advocates for vocations to the priestly and religious life via diocesan wide interactions with youths; to encourage the development of youth groups at the parish and diocesan levels; and to advocate for ministry retreats. ❖
