“A Journey in Synodality” was the theme guiding the pilgrimage of FADICA – Catholic Philanthropy Network members to Rome from November 10 to 16, 2024. The program, which included meetings with Vatican authorities, training sessions, and daily moments of prayer, was organized in partnership with The Lay Centre.
The program began with a session on how synodality inspires leadership and included a private audience with Pope Francis. It also featured dialogue meetings with journalists, clergy members, and lay people involved in the Church’s mission in Rome and around the world, with a special focus on the Global South.
Among the speakers, in order of appearance, were:
- Rev. David McCallum, SJ, executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership and one of the founders of Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA)
- Cindy Wooden, journalist, has covered the Vatican for three decades, including papal trips all over the world
- Joshua McElwee, journalist and since 2024 Vatican correspondent for Reuters.
- Bishop Paul Tighe, Irish prelate who has served as secretary of the Section of Culture of the Dicastery for Culture and Education since 2022
- Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, psychologist and secretary of the Pontifical Commission on the Protection of Minors
- Teresa Morris Kettelkamp, adjunct secretary at the Pontifical Commission on the Protection of Minors
- Giovanni Boscia, vicedirettore delegato IOR and CFO-CIO officer
- Cristina Duranti, director of the Good Shepherd Foundation
- Rev. Lord Winner, CMF, general mission procurator of the Claretians since 2019
- Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, Italian economist, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
- Cardinal Fabio Baggio, CS, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and director of Borgo Laudato Si’
- Fr. Paul Berè, SJ, professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome
- Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, French Catholic religious sister, member of the Congregation of Xavières
- Rev. Paul Murray, OP, Irish Dominican friar and professor of literature of the Western mystical tradition
- Rev. Paul Lawlor OP, prior to the Irish Dominican community of San Clemente and expert of the archaeological area of San Clemente
- Susana Refega, executive director of the Laudato Sì Movement
- Sr. Maamalifar Poreku, MSOLA, executive co-secretary of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission USG and UISG
- Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
Pope to Catholic philanthropists: Keep spreading Jesus’ love (From Vatican News)
Love always transforms and has the ability to change all things, Pope Francis reminded the Catholic Philanthropy Network (FADICA) in the Vatican.
Expressing his delight to welcome the Network on the occasion of their pilgrimage, symposium and retreat in Rome, the Pope expressed his hope that their days of reflection and prayer at the tombs of the Apostles and martyrs would increase their “love for the Church” and their commitment “to the spread of the Gospel and the building up of Christ’s kingdom of holiness, justice and peace.”
The Holy Father expressed his gratitude for the support the Network offers the offices of the Holy See, and for their “quiet encouragement” of many initiatives that enrich the life and apostolate of the Church in the United States.
Keep experiencing love of sharing Christ
FADICA, the Pope commended, is naturally “synodal,” in that “it counts on the common vision, commitment and cooperation of so many individuals, families and foundations.”
Given this, the Holy Father expressed his wish that the Network’s spirit of solidarity and generous concern for others “will always be nurtured by a sense of gratitude for the abundant gifts the Lord has bestowed upon us and an ever deeper experience of the transforming power of His love. “
Before Pope Francis imparted his Apostolic Blessing on those before him, the Holy Father commended those gathered to the Lord’s Sacred Heart, and prayed that their Network would“keep experiencing the joy born of our efforts to share the love of Christ with others.”
