When a C.A.L.L. delegation came to Rome for our Vatican Forum event in April 2010, one of our goals was to position our new and growing organization as both a participant and a resource to our Universal Church. Several months ago, in my capacity as president of C.A.L.L., I was invited to participate in the International Congress on the 50th anniversary of Mater et Magistra (encyclical of Blessed John XXIII). The congress is titled "Justice and Globalization: From Mater et Magistra to Caritas en Veritate," the latter document being Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 encyclical that was the subject of our Vatican Forum meeting with Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

    My invitation to be one of the twelve people from the United States came about from that meeting last year with Cardinal Turkson.

    When I arrived at the meeting location, the very first person I came across -- in the elevator -- was Cardinal Turkson who warmly greeted me and asked me about C.A.L.L.! Throughout this conference, which continues even as I write this, he and I have taken several opportunities to discuss C.A.L.L.'s work and growth. 

View of St. Peter's Basilica

    There are 209 people from all over the world in this congress, whose focus is the social teaching of the Church, and how to translate that teaching into practical application within the context of our respective geography and culture. What is so amazing is that with representatives from so many countries, there is an instant bond with everyone that you meet as we all come from the same wonderful Catholic tradition and faith.

    One of the first things that we did when we began the congress was to meet with the Holy Father in the Papal Palace. As the Holy Father spoke, he challenged us to carefully consider Blessed John XXIII's encyclical Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) and to carry out the social teaching of the Church in our respective communities. 

    After our visit with the Holy Father, we shared our first meal together as a group. I sat next to two gentlemen: Fr. Emilio Garreaud Indacochea of Costa Rica, and Mr. Ernesto Gygax of Peru. It turns out that both of these men participated at the very first gathering of C.A.L.L. at St. Malo (long before it was called C.A.L.L.)! This proved, once again, what a small world we live in, and the wonder of our community of faith.

    The meetings here have been long, but informative. It is difficult, however, to arrive at any concrete conclusions or actions with such a large group. 

    Yesterday, a group of four of us met privately with the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Miguel H. Diaz. The 2010 C.A.L.L. delegation had met with him as well, so it was an opportunity for me to tell him about our growth and our activities since we last met. Ambassador Diaz asked if there was something that he could do with C.A.L.L. to celebrate and recognize Hispanic Heritage month. This is something that we could consider. 

    In attendance at the congress is Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California. Bishop Blaire chairs the Bishops' Committee on Justice, Peace, and Human Development. With him is the senior USCCB staff person and department head, John Carr, a great friend and resource person to C.A.L.L. 

    While the meetings have been of great interest and very informative regarding our Catholic social tradition, the greater value of this congress has been the ongoing and separate discussions of the group from the U.S. I want to report to you that there is a great deal of interest in C.A.L.L. and its mission, its purpose and, especially, in its potential voice in the area of social justice and the public square.

    Two people in particular who have expressed an interest in working with C.A.L.L. are Dr. Stephen Schenck, Director, Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at the Catholic University of America, and Fr. James Heft, S.M., president, Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California. I have made connections with many people here, but these two institutes could be particularlty helpful to C.A.L.L., especially considering that we are entering the "high political season" when so many important issues will be publicly debated and there will be such an opportunity for a Hispanic and a Catholic voice in the public discourse.

    It has been a true honor to represent our organization at this international congress, and I wish to acknowledge Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, for his leadership and for making a specific effort to include C.A.L.L. in this event. As the week progresses, I look forward to further developing the thoughts and ideas that have come from my time here, working with brothers and sisters of common faith and mission.

Please pray for us!

Robert B. Aguirre

President & CEO

View of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

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