The International Congress for the Episcopal Vicars and Delegates for Consecrated Life, organized by CIVCSVA, will be held in Rome, at the Auditorium of the Pontifical University Antonianum, from 28 to 30 October 2016.

In his Apostolic Letter for the Year of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis asked the Pastors of the local Churches to promote the various charisms, “to give support and encouragement, your assistance in discernment, and your tender and loving closeness to those situations of suffering and weakness in which some consecrated men or women may find themselves. Above all, do this by instructing the People of God in the value of consecrated life, so that its beauty and holiness may shine forth in the Church”.

In the light of these objectives, the Dicastery will be holding an International Congress for the Episcopal Vicars and Delegates for Consecrated Life: that is, for those who promote and enliven Consecrated Life. The aim is to favor and promote a fruitful ecclesial communion within the local Church, which is the place in which Consecrated Life manifests itself and is recognized for its witnessing and service.

The desire is to reflect together upon a relationship: that between the Pastors and the consecrated persons, a relationship which is often delicate and complex, due also to the diverse realities of consecration, namely Apostolic Religious Life, Cloistered and Contemplative Life, Secular Institutes, the Ordo virginum and the ‘New Forms’. The Congress will also give us the opportunity to update the Episcopal Vicars or Delegates regarding the direction this Dicastery is taking, its initiatives and the recent documents which are aimed to promote Consecrated Life.

Download here the Programme