The event featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Archdiocese of Braga and the Catholic University, as well as the presentation of the Master’s program in Applied Social Gerontology
The Portuguese Catholic University of Braga and the Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) affiliated with the Archdiocese of Braga signed an agreement today to provide technical and leadership training, as well as to reaffirm their Christian identity, ensuring that no one is left behind. These commitments were expressed during the “Strategic Meeting of Christian-Inspired IPSS,” which took place at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences (FFCS) of the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga; the event was used as an opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Archdiocese of Braga and the Catholic University.
The opening session was attended by Father Bruno Nobre, director of the FFCS at the Catholic University of Braga, and Canon Avelino Amorim, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan Curia of the Diocese of Braga, who were the signatories of the Protocol.
In his remarks, Canon Avelino Amorim conveyed a message of congratulations sent by the Archbishop of Braga, in which Archbishop José expressed his “joy” at the partnership with the Catholic University. For his part, Father Bruno Nobre explained that yesterday’s event was educational, “to help nurture the Christian identity of the social welfare institutions”; but it was also an occasion for sharing, mutual understanding, and commitment.
Following the formal opening, the meeting itself began with a prayer composed by Pope Francis, based on the encyclical “Laudato Si’.” This was the first clear indication of the initiative’s Christian character. In fact, the prayer was designed so that everyone could participate. A moment intended to remind us that “the care provided in Christian-affiliated social welfare institutions is an expression of God’s charity and mercy, and that the institution’s mission stems from a living relationship with Him, before it takes the form of structures or statements of identity.”
One of the highlights of the conference was the roundtable discussion titled “Caring with Purpose: Identity, Leadership, and the Future of Christian-Inspired Social Solidarity Institutions,” featuring Father Bruno Nobre, Canon Avelino Amorim, João Ferreira, director of the Braga Social Security Institute; Canon Luís Miguel Figueiredo, director of the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University, with responsibilities at a social welfare institution in Braga; Alexandra Andrade, a specialist with responsibilities at a social welfare institution in Mascotelos, Guimarães; and Fernando Pimenta, a staff member with responsibilities at a social welfare institution in the Tenões.
