On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, a THANKSGIVING meeting for the 20 years of URI's existence was held via zoom.
This celebration was organized by the Regional Coordination and was attended by 79 participants. Members of the 59 CCs that make up the URI Latin America family attended, members of the Global Office: and other brothers who have been part of this path of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, who set aside a space in their daily agendas to celebrate and honor the work of the heart of URI which are the Circles of Cooperation.
The celebration began with the projection of a video with the initial blessing by the sisters Camila, Marcela and Paula Ontiveros De Armas, granddaughters of Coromoto Texier, member of the CC Para El Diálogo de Caracas and Emma Rosa Civila Gamez, granddaughter of our Regional Coordinator, Dra Enoé Texier.
Subsequently, the RC gave some opening remarks and the URI historical video was shown that summarizes the path of creation and work of the CCs and all those who have been architects of the intercultural and inter-religious network in the region.
There was an intervention by the Global Councilors: Salette Aquino, Sofía Painiqueo and David Limo who are about to leave the Council and thanked URI for the work done.
Next, Certificates of Recognition were delivered to the special guests:
1. Bishop William E. Swing
2. Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian
3. Sally Mahe
4. Alice Swett
5. Abraham Karickam
6. Father James Channan
7. Mussie Hailu
8. Monica Willard
9. María Eugenia Crespo
10. Rev. Charles Gibbs
11. Isabelle Ortega-Lockwood
12. Pamela H. Banks
13. Yoland Treviño
14. Kiran Bali
15. Andre Porto
Former Global Directors from the year 2000 to the present, 2020:
1. Rosalía Gutierrez
2. Gerardo Gonzalez
3. Jonathan Rose
4. Rev Elias Andrade Pinto
5. Raúl Mamani
6. Susana Reich
7. Ciro Gabriel Avruj
8. Genivalda Cravo
9. Alejandrino Quispe
10. Salette Aquino
11. Sofía Painiqueo
12. David Limo
Free space was provided for special guests and CC members to express a few words. Then a video of the youth of the region was projected and finally a closing ceremony was held by our Global Counselor, Sofía Painiqueo, who sang a healing song, in the Mapuche language with her daughter who played her typical instruments.
This is how the Latin American region celebrated the URI anniversary and honored the dream and inspiring man of this beautiful family, Bishop Willian Swing and all the wonderful people who have made and make unity in diversity possible.
Please scroll the yellow arrows to see the slideshow.
