At present there are 23 Augustinian Recollects who have been called to serve the Church as bishops. Most are found in the Americas, especially in mission areas. Brazil is the country with the most Augustinian Recollect bishops, followed by Peru, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
This fraternal meeting of Augustinian Recollect bishops, convoked by the Prior General, aims to share their experiences in their episcopal service and to reflect on the perspective of the synodality of the Church in their particular contexts. They will also address the role of bishops emeritus in the life of the Church and the Order.
When a religious is ordained bishop, he takes on a new role in the Church, no longer linked to his original religious family, but with diocesan responsibilities or other mandates from the Pope. However, the bond remains forever and, in fact, in the case of the Order, a significant number of emeritus bishops ask to return to a religious community by requesting resignation when they reach the age of 75.
The meeting of Augustinian Recollect bishops will be held at the Santo Agostinho Site in Rio de Janeiro, a place that hosts meetings and events of all kinds for the life of the Order throughout the year.