The meeting of Catholic priests was held in Foz de Iguaçú.
Religious leaders from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina met in Foz de Iguaçú to strengthen Catholic communion in the Triple Border region. It is an effort to integrate the pastoral work of bishops and priests. The event’s main objective is the exchange of experiences, fraternization and Eucharistic union. Attendees from the three nations participated in conferences and other related activities.
This is the second edition of the religious meeting that takes place on the border. The first took place in October 2022 in the city of Puerto Yguazú, Argentina. In addition, three months earlier, in July, Foz de Iguaçú welcomed more than 5,000 young people and bishops from different regions of the three countries. This meeting was promoted by the Neocatechumenal Way movement and took place at the Convention Center of the neighboring town.
On that occasion, one of the most significant moments of the meeting was the vocation, where the young people were called to religious life. Those who answered in the affirmative were accompanied by nuns (in the case of women) and priests (in the case of men), who also offered their availability to carry out missions on behalf of the church.
During yesterday morning, the participants had the opportunity to explore the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the facilities of the local Diocese. Although the cathedral is not yet completely finished, it hosts various annual events.
Recently, last Sunday (27) was the meeting point for the XVII Diocesan Pilgrimage, which brought together thousands of Catholics from 28 parishes distributed in 14 municipalities of the region on the Brazilian side.
STRENGTHEN THE FAITH
These gatherings are intended to strengthen faith, unify communities, and promote religious tourism in the border region. Both Foz de Iguaçú and the local Diocese are expected to become religious reference points and contribute to the economic development of the region.
In addition, in the coming years, the Diocese will have the first sanctuary in the West, which will be established in Itaipulandia, next to the monument of Our Lady Aparecida. The city is already a pilgrimage destination during the month of October for faithful from all over Paraná.
Likewise, the Diocese of Foz celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary since its foundation. Created by Pope Paul VI in August 1978, this religious unit currently serves around 460,000 people. The clergy is made up of 36 diocesan priests, 22 religious priests, and 12 permanent deacons.
Within the 14 municipalities that make up the diocese, there are 22 pastoral offices, 10 movements and 10 organizations and services. The first bishop to head this unit was Dom Olívio Aurélio Fazza, who led the church on the border for 24 years.
He was followed by Don Laurindo Guizzardi, the second bishop, who continued the work of Dom Olívio and established five parishes. The third bishop, Dom Dirceu Veggini, renewed the liturgy of the diocese and created the parish of Nossa Senhora das Graças. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2018 due to cancer.
The current leader is Dom Sérgio de Deus Borges, who took office in 2019 in the Archdiocese of São Paulo, where he also served as auxiliary bishop.
POLICY
In addition to promoting Christian events, the diocese is also actively involved in social actions in various fields. Since July, in collaboration with the Electoral Justice, it has been promoting a campaign to encourage the participation of young people in politics.
This includes lectures in schools and meetings aimed at awakening adolescents’ interest in citizenship, democracy and social responsibility in the election of government leaders.
