Shrine of Aparecida in Brazil preparing for 2007 CELAM conference

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan 31, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis of Aparecida, Brazil, said this week the Shrine of Aparecida is beginning preparations to host the V General Conference of the Latin American Bishops’ Council (CELAM) and to welcome Pope Benedict XVI.

During a press conference, the archbishop pointed out that preparations to welcome bishops from across the continent and to facilitate media coverage are ahead of schedule.

The director of CELAM’s press office, Father David Gutierrez, said the media strategy that would be employed during the meeting and the visit of the Holy Father would depend on the decisions of the Pope and the Holy See regarding how much time he will spend in Aparecida and if his visit will be extended to other cities in Brazil or America.  The V General Conference of the Latin American Bishops’ Council will take place in May of 2007.