# Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council

> Catholic territorial administrative unit

**Wikidata**: [Q1023332](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1023332)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_and_Caribbean_Episcopal_Council)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/latin-american-and-caribbean-episcopal-council

## Summary
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) is a Catholic territorial administrative unit established as an international organization through treaty between governments. It serves as a collective body for Catholic bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing religious and pastoral matters across the region.

## Key Facts
- Classified as both a Catholic organization and an international organization
- Established through treaty between governments
- Known by aliases including Celam, Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Conference, and Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño (Celam)
- Has a website at [www.celam.org](http://www.celam.org/)
- Current chairperson is Jaime Spengler, elected on May 17, 2023
- Notable work includes the *Documento de Aparecida*
- Field of work is the Catholic Church
- Different from the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region
- Has representation in multiple languages, including Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese
- Associated with various national libraries and encyclopedias, including the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the National Library of Israel
- Linked to academic institutions such as the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce

## FAQs
**What is the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council?**
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) is a Catholic territorial administrative unit that serves as a collective body for bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was established as an international organization through treaty between governments and focuses on religious and pastoral matters in the region.

**Who leads the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council?**
The current chairperson of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council is Jaime Spengler, who was elected on May 17, 2023.

**What are the aliases for the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council?**
The organization is also known as Celam, Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Conference, Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño (Celam), Conférence épiscopale latino-américaine, Conseil des évêques d'Amérique latine, Conférence des évêques d'Amérique latine, Conférences des évêques d'Amérique latine, Conselho episcopal latino-americano, and Conferência Episcopal Latino-Americana.

**What is the significance of the *Documento de Aparecida*?**
The *Documento de Aparecida* is a notable work associated with the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council, reflecting its role in addressing religious and pastoral issues in the region.

**How many languages does the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council operate in?**
The organization has representation in multiple languages, including Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese.

## Why It Matters
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council plays a crucial role in the Catholic Church by providing a platform for bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean to address religious and pastoral matters collectively. Its establishment as an international organization through treaty between governments underscores its significance in regional governance and religious leadership. The council’s work, including the *Documento de Aparecida*, reflects its commitment to fostering unity and addressing the needs of the Catholic community in the region. By serving as a collective body for bishops, the council influences religious policy, pastoral care, and social issues across Latin America and the Caribbean.

## Notable For
- Serving as a collective body for Catholic bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Established through treaty between governments, distinguishing it as an international organization
- Notable work includes the *Documento de Aparecida*, highlighting its role in religious and pastoral matters
- Representation in multiple languages, reflecting its broad regional influence
- Linked to various national libraries and encyclopedias, indicating its scholarly and institutional recognition
- Associated with academic institutions such as the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, demonstrating its connection to higher education

## Body
### Overview
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) is a Catholic territorial administrative unit that functions as an international organization established through treaty between governments. It serves as a collective body for bishops in Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing religious and pastoral matters across the region.

### Classification and Structure
CELAM is classified as both a Catholic organization and an international organization. It operates under various aliases, including Celam, Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Conference, and Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño (Celam). The organization has a website at [www.celam.org](http://www.celam.org/), providing access to its activities and resources.

### Leadership and Governance
The current chairperson of CELAM is Jaime Spengler, elected on May 17, 2023. The organization’s governance structure reflects its role as a collective body for bishops, ensuring coordinated responses to religious and pastoral issues in the region.

### Notable Works and Activities
CELAM is associated with the *Documento de Aparecida*, a notable work that reflects its commitment to addressing religious and pastoral matters. The organization’s field of work is the Catholic Church, and it differs from the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region, indicating its distinct focus on the broader Latin American and Caribbean region.

### Language and Representation
CELAM has representation in multiple languages, including Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese. This multilingual approach ensures its relevance and accessibility across diverse linguistic communities in the region.

### Institutional Recognition
CELAM is linked to various national libraries and encyclopedias, including the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the National Library of Israel. It is also associated with academic institutions such as the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, reflecting its scholarly and institutional recognition. The organization’s presence in multiple languages and its connections to higher education further underscore its significance in the Catholic Church and regional governance.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://adn.celam.org/celam-elige-su-presidente-y-vicepresidentes-spengler-azuaje-y-ulloa/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File