On the afternoon of the seventh day of the 1st Provincial Chapter of Latin America and the Caribbean, following the election of the Provincial Superior, the Councillors who will form part of the Provincial Government were appointed. They will accompany Brother Erik Luciano Castillo Carreño, OH. on the mission and the management of the Province as it strives to continue shaping the future of Hospitality in Latin America and the Caribbean according to the Lines of Action to be adopted at the end of the Chapter.

First Councillor: Brother César Augusto Arroyo Gutiérrez, OH.

Second Councillor: Brother Luis Alberto Mojica Paz, OH.

Third Councillor: Brother Juan Carlos Tovar Huertas, OH.

Fourth Councillor: Brother Ricardo Horacio Quiroga, OH.

Fifth Councillor: Brother José Merced Ulloa Gutiérrez, OH.

Sixth Councillor: Brother Félix Acuña Zamora, OH.

The Hospitaller Family of St John of God sends its best wishes and congratulations to our Brothers who will be guiding the Province's new journey forward, invigorated on the mission of serving the sick and the needy, and commends them in our prayers. May all blessings and success accompany your invaluable work!

This morning, Thursday 19 May, the Capitulars attending the 1st Provincial Chapter of Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme "Go Forth with Passion to Promote Hospitality", have elected Brother Erik Luciano Castillo Carreño, OH. as their Provincial Superior, after a day of reflection and discernment, to guide the Provincial Government for the next four years in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Brother Erik Luciano Castillo Carreño, OH., aged 55, is a native of Providencia, Chile. He made his Solemn Profession on 1 May 2006 in Santiago de Chile. He is a Brother of our Hospitaller Order, and a Technician in Differential Education; he has served as Councillor and Provincial Superior of the Southern South American Province, Councillor of the St John of God Province of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Superior of several Communities. We send our best regards and congratulations to Brother Erik Castillo, OH with our best wishes as he embarks on this new journey!

After the inaugural Eucharist, Brother Jesús Etayo, as President of the Provincial Chapter, convened the Capitulars to proceed to constitute the Chapter, initially ensuring the existence of the required quorum, followed by electing the Chapter Secretary in the person of Brother Jaime Buitrago, OH. Brother Daniel Karelisky, OH. and Brother Sergio Ticona, OH. were elected to serve as tellers, while Brother Dairon Meneses, OH. was elected Moderator.  Chapter therefore began with the review and approval of the proposed methodology. On the first day of the Chapter, according to the programme, the Chapter began with an opening address by Brother Juan Carlos Tovar, OH - the Provincial Superior, who referred to the work that had been done since the Regional Assembly at which the unification of the Saint John of God Province of Latin America and the Caribbean was consolidated.  In relation to the life of the Brothers, he urged us to continue to reflect on our personal, community and spiritual life starting with our relationship with God; he referred to the formation process, emphasising the importance of experiencing consecrated life, encouraging being rather than doing; seeking unity and involving all the members of the communities; and in relation to charismatic management, the Brothers and Co-workershad jointly worked on implementing the plan adopted by the Regional Assembly. The second day of the Chapter began with morning prayer and Mass, which, led as every day by a team of Brothers and Co-workers. Presiding at the Eucharist was Father José Armando Rodríguez, OH. who concelebrated with Father Juan Padilla and Father Simón Azpiroz. Brother Dairon Meneses, as Moderator, then presented three practical questions to evaluate the management of of the period since the consolidation of the unification of the Province of St. John of God of Latin America and the Caribbean: How did we feels about it? What had been neglected? What gave us cause for hope? This session proved to be very productive because it allowed the Brothers and Co-workers to express their feelings, and to analyse, dialogue and seek opportunities for improvement that would enable us to continue to steer the management of the Centres and the lives of the Brothers in a structured manner,always consistently with the very raison d'être and mission of what unites us.