Trinitarian International Solidarity celebrates its annual meeting in Rome and reinforces its commitment to those who suffer persecution for their faith
Trinitarian International Solidarity (SIT), the organization in charge of promoting and expressing the charisma of the Trinitarian Order and the Trinitarian Family in favor of people persecuted because of their faith in Christ, held its annual meeting from June 2 to 4 in the General Curia of the Order, located in the historic Roman neighborhood of Trastevere.
The meeting was attended by the Minister General of the Trinitarian Order, the general superiors of the different congregations of Trinitarian nuns, members of the General Council of the Order and several provincial ministers, who wanted to support the work of the International Board of Directors of SIT with their presence and contributions.
This body is made up of its president, Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, together with those responsible for SIT in the different jurisdictions of the Order, the female religious institutes and the Trinitarian Laity. As confirmed by the president himself, “the majority of the International Board of Directors of SIT was present at the meeting, with a total of 16 people with the right to vote, in accordance with our Statutes.”
During the conference, reports of activities and projects developed by both SIT General and the different local delegations were presented. Likewise, participants received detailed information on the management
economic of the entity, approving both the balance of accounts and the budget for the next financial year.
Projects in four countries
Currently, SIT General develops various humanitarian aid and social promotion projects in several countries especially affected by religious persecution and social vulnerability.
In Nigeria, the organization promotes educational and material assistance programs aimed at children and families displaced by violence against the Christian population in the diocese of Maiduguri.
In Syria, it maintains two initiatives in the city of Aleppo: one in collaboration with the Chaldean diocese aimed at supporting 85 students, 260 families and 25 sick people; and another in the parish of the Annunciation, focused on covering urgent material needs of the population.
In Cuba, SIT collaborates with the Trinitarian lay people of Cárdenas to provide food, medicine and basic necessities to people in vulnerable situations.
For its part, in India, it supports the “The Matha’s Boys” program in Bangalore, which offers education and comprehensive care to minors from families that suffer discrimination for religious reasons.
Training and research on religious freedom
In addition to its assistance work, SIT General carries out important awareness-raising and research activities on religious freedom. Among its initiatives stands out the Chair of Religious Freedom that it promotes at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, where a specialized annual course is taught and an international research group made up of university professors from Spain and Italy is coordinated.
Likewise, the entity maintains various channels of information and dissemination on the situation of persecuted Christians and the defense of religious freedom in the world.
New actions inspired by the General Chapter
One year after the celebration of the last General Chapter of the Trinitarian Order, focused on the commitment to those who suffer because of their faith, the participants analyzed the guidelines and proposals emanating from said meeting. As a result, they formulated various initiatives and lines of action that will be presented to the entire Order for study and approval during this year.
The president of SIT General, Father Antonio Aurelio Fernández Serrano, highly valued the results of the meeting, highlighting both the fulfillment of the planned objectives and the climate of work and fraternity experienced during the sessions.
One of the most significant moments was the participation of those attending the General Audience held on Wednesday in the Vatican with the Holy Father.
“Bringing us the blessing of His Holiness comforts us and confirms us in our mission in favor of those who suffer because of their faith,” concluded the president of SIT General.