AMERICA/ARGENTINA - National Assembly of Youth Pastoral Ministry, with the theme: “For a more just and fraternal homeland, where we all work for unity...preparing for the Bicentenary.”

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – On May 23,24, and 25, the Saint Dominic Savio House in the city of Ramos Mejia (La Matanza, province of Buenos Aires) will host the 22nd National Assembly of Youth Pastoral Ministry, with the participation of the Directors from all the country's dioceses and movements. “For a more just and fraternal homeland, where we all work for unity...preparing for the Bicentenary” will be the theme for the encounter. “Every year, the youth of the country come together to share their experiences and this task of Youth Ministry in Argentina, and to find common paths to announce Jesus...” the invitation to the encounter says.
The event will be attended by the national coordinators, the Team of National Directors, the President of the Bishops' Committee for the Laity and the Family, Bishop Juan Ruben Martinez of Posadas, the Bishops in charge of Youth Ministry (Bishops Raul Marin and Enrique Eguia Segui, both Auxiliaries of Buenos Aires); the Permanent Secretary of Youth Minister and the Director of the Cardinal Pironio Formation Institute. The participants will meet in order to approve the general objectives and evaluate Youth Ministry, establish guidelines, etc.
The Youth Pastoral Ministry in Argentina celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. It formally began in 1978, when the Argentinean Bishops' Conference asked Bishops Jorge Casaretto (Rafaela), Rodolfo Bufano (San Justo) y Adolfo Arana (Río Cuarto), to organize a commission to promote work with the youth. The pastors called together youth ministers, formed a team, and drafted the first constitution of Youth Pastoral Ministry in Argentina. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/05/2009)