Augustinian Recollect Provinces Discuss Formalities for Transfer of Administration of Pasto Parish

Bogotá, Colombia – A significant meeting was held on August 26, 2025, at the Provincial Curia of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria in Bogotá, bringing together key representatives from two Augustinian Recollect provinces to discuss the needs and formalities for the transfer of administration of the Parroquia de San Ezequiel Moreno in Pasto, Colombia. This parish, which currently falls under the care of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria, holds a deep and historical connection to the Order, situated in a diocese once served by St. Ezekiel Moreno as its bishop.

The meeting was attended by Fray Bernard Amparado, Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, and Fray Jose David Niño Gomez, Prior Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria. They were joined by Fray Juan Pablo Martinez, Vicar and Provincial Secretary of the Province of Candelaria, Fray Kenneth Joseph Onda, Vicar of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Fray Anthony Morillo, Provincial Councilor of St. Ezekiel Moreno, and Fray Robin Ross Plata, Provincial Secretary of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

The discussions focused on the concrete steps and necessary formalities required for the transfer of administration from the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria to the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. This move is a direct result of a decision made during the 9th provincial chapter of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Province, which initiated the process of accepting the invitation to administer the Pasto parish. The meeting served to formalize the initial plans and identify the specific needs for a smooth transition.

Following the productive discussion, a providential encounter took place between the two priors provincial and the Most Reverend Juan Carlos Cárdenas Toro, DD, the current Bishop of Pasto. The meeting was particularly symbolic, as it coincided with the Diocese of Pasto’s 166th anniversary, a notable parallel to the 166 religious members currently comprising the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. This meeting with Bishop Cárdenas Toro is a crucial step, as the transfer requires the formal approval and cooperation of the local ecclesiastical authority. The visit also underscored the deep historical connection between the diocese and the Order, as St. Ezekiel Moreno, a figure of great importance to the Augustinian Recollects, served as bishop in this very location.

On the following day, August 27, 2025, the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, together with the Provincial Councilor, Provincial Secretary, and the Vicar of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria will travel to Pasto. The purpose of this visit is to personally assess the situation of the parish and its needs firsthand, as a final step before the formal transfer. This collaborative effort between the two provinces and the Diocese of Pasto signifies a shared commitment to the continued legacy of the Augustinian Recollects and the spiritual well-being of the Christian faithful in Pasto.