ECLDF meeting held in Dublin, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This is an account of the last meeting of the ECLDF, which took place
in Bratislava, Slovakia between 12-15 October.
The council members
The following were present:
Nikolett Muranyi
Chantal Soligny
Eva Kameniarova
Tomas Machula
Gabriel Silva
Patricia Kelly
Fr. David Kammler
Discussions
As you see, there are some changes.
First, Robert Kopfmüller-Knabe, President, resigned from the ECDLF last September.
Therefore the Council contacted Hanneke Bemeer, from Holland, who received the next
highest number of the votes in Walberberg at the last Assembly. As she could not accept,
the Council contacted Gabriel Silva from Portugal, who was second in the list of highest
number of the votes and he accepted.
Patricia Robinson has ended 4 years mandate as the European representative on the
International Council LDF, and after nearly 8 years on the ECLDF. In accordance
with the result of the election in Walberberg, Patricia Kelly, from Ireland, has succeeded her.
Fr. Jerry Stookey O.P. will end his mandate as General Promoter of the Dominican
Laity next January. The Master of the Order has already appointed Fr. David Kammler,O.P.
from Germany to the office. He immediately started to work with the ECDLF.
Patricia Kelly and Fr. David will offically take up their office in Buenos Aires at the
International Congress, March 2007.
Fr. David celebrates the Mass
In Bratislava, the Council had an election for the office of President of ECDLF, Gabriel
Silva was elected. All the other members remain in their current offices.
The ECLDF would like to express its gratitude for the work, dedication, sacrifice and
friendship of Robert, Patricia R. and Jerry. We all have you in our hearts and prayers!
Naturally, the preparation of our next Assembly was one of the main themes of our meeting.
As you already know, the theme will be: «Preaching in the secular world».
After considering all the information that we collected from the different Provinces who
generously offered to host the Assembly, we decided that the General Assembly of European
Lay Dominican Fraternities will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia, between 29 May and 4 June,
2008.
We worked on the agenda and preparation of the Assembly. We had a wonderful meeting with
the Lay Dominican President of Slovakian Province, who gave us information about what the
Lay Dominicans, the Province and the the Dominican Familiy could do to help to provide a
great Assembly.
We worked also in very practical questions as the budget, accommodation, liturgy, invitations,
translations, speakers, timetable, etc.
Historical part of Bratislava
Parliament, Bratislava
We hope that we will be able to send you more information very soon.
As expressed in the beginning of its mandate, “the ECLDF intends to keep close contact with
the provinces and with you.” We will put reports on our Internet – page about every meeting.
Between our meetings we will contact you by e-mail and by the Website concerning special
questions or with information. The Internet is a suitable platform for this.
During the next three years please may we not only share questions and problems extensively
but in addition, exchange reports on our experiences, together with our dreams and our vision.
The European meeting will then be much more fruitful.
I end this message with a request for your prayers for us all.
With a brotherly embrace,
Gabriel Silva
ECLDF President
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