The Central America Region is one of the 6 regions that make up the Vincentian Family in Latin America and the Caribbean (FAVILA). Our region is composed of 6 National Councils (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) and a Regional Animation Team.

The main objective of the Animation Team in Central America (FAVICA) is to accompany and animate the countries of the region in the Vincentian charism and spirituality, starting from a very similar socio-cultural reality, with almost the same strengths and weaknesses. They are part of this team: a core team (elected at the last Central American meeting), the presidents and national advisors of each country, Father Flavio as liaison with the office in Philadelphia and a representative/advisor on behalf of FAVILA (since last year it is Fr. Gregorio Gay CM).

The animation team meets on the third Tuesday of each month via the ZOOM platform (6:00pm local time in Central America). At this meeting the members share news and correspondence received from FAVILA, report on the progress of the Family in each of the countries (their challenges and activities) and also coordinate activities that will be carried out on the regional level.

Likewise, periodic meetings are held to meet (in person) as brothers and sisters in order to encourage one other and work on action plans for the following years. The VI Central American Meeting of the Vincentian Family was held in Guatemala City in August 2022 … the next meeting will be held in Honduras in 2024.

From our experience, organizing ourselves as a region and having an animation team has strengthened us in our day-to-day work. At the same time, we have come to realize that as members of the same family, we share in common sufferings and limitations, but more importantly, we have come to experience the support and prayers of our other Vincentian brothers and sisters.

Edgardo Fuentes