The assembly focused on Pope Francis' exhortation in "Amoris Laetitia" to encourage reflection and the celebration of joy and love in families: with this objective, the directors of the Family Ministry Offices of the Episcopal Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean met in recent days in Quito, Ecuador. There they were joined by the directors of the apostolic movements with a family charisma.
Over 80 delegates from throughout Latin America gathered at the Divine Word Center in Quito. On the first day, the Archbishop of Quito, Msgr. Fausto Trávez, welcomed the participants at a solemn Mass in the cathedral, where he invited those present to witness love in the family with joy and enthusiasm while continuing to accompany and listen to families.
In the days following, the reflection shifted to Francis' exhortation and to the work of the different apostolic movements with the Network of Latin American institutions for the family: the various presentations clearly showed the value of the family, its origin in the Word of God, the beauty of love and marriage, innovations in pastoral ministry intended to integrate the family's fragility, the education of children, and the roots of a spirituality of marriage. Msgr. Rubén M. Gonzales, president of CELAM's Life, Family and Youth Department, finally, invited the participants to seek new horizons for the pastoral service to the family.