Notre Dame and Latin American bishops sign memorandum of understanding | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame and Latin American bishops sign memorandum of understanding Notre Dame and Latin American bishops sign memorandum of understanding Published: March 25, 2015 Author: Michael O. Garvey Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C., and Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes sign a Memorandum of Understanding The University of Notre Dame and the Latin American Episcopal Conference (CELAM) have signed a “memorandum of understanding,” pledging to cooperate in a range of initiatives in academics, social development, peace-building and institutional administration. Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, president of CELAM, signed the memorandum in a ceremony Tuesday (March 24) in Notre Dame’s Main Building. “In the Catholic Church, international community and cooperation are crucially important,” said Father Jenkins as he greeted and introduced Archbishop Aguiar. "What binds us together is deeper than culture and language, and this agreement will help Notre Dame bond more closely with the cultures, communities and institutions of Latin America.” In his remarks, Father Jenkins particularly thanked Notre Dame trustee Jose Enrique Fernandez and Monsignor Carlos Quintana, a 1981 Notre Dame alumnus, for beginning the conversation between Notre Dame and CELAM, which includes 22 bishops conferences in Latin America. Archbishop Aguiar expressed gratitude to Notre Dame for “helping us to unify and strengthen the communities and organizations of the Church,” and said that such individual initiatives as this agreement were “like small streams of water which join other small streams until they become mighty torrents. Such torrents and currents give life to the whole ocean.” The agreement includes the establishment of a committee of Notre Dame faculty and administrators and CELAM leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership on research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges, pastoral problems and opportunities, and development of best practices in administration. Committee members representing Notre Dame will include Rev. William Lies, C.S.C., vice president for mission engagement and church affairs; Peter Casarella, associate professor of theology; Steve Reifenberg, executive director of the Kellogg Institute; Chuck Lamphier, lead adviser for mission engagement; and Dylan Reed, program director for global advancement. Contact: Chuck Lamphier, 574-631-1728, Lamphier.1@nd.edu Posted In: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion International Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related September 09, 2020 Notre Dame signs agreement with Yad Vashem promoting Holocaust education and research August 22, 2016 Notre Dame to dedicate new center in Connemara, Ireland August 08, 2016 Paolo Carozza, director of Kellogg Institute, appointed to Vatican academy by Pope Francis July 28, 2016 Three questions with Latino theologian Peter J. Casarella June 20, 2016 Notre Dame to steward Newman University Church in Dublin For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn