Diego Quesada elected World Councillor at the VII Regional Congress of Salesian Cooperators
Under the motto “The Power of Love”, representatives of the seven provinces of Spain and Portugal gathered on 7 and 8 November in El Escorial to assess the situation of the Iberian Region, evaluate the journey made so far, share future challenges and elect their new representative to the World Council.
El Escorial, 8 November 2026. The Association of Salesian Cooperators held its VII Regional Congress at the San José Spirituality House, within the framework of the 150th anniversary of its foundation. Two days of encounter, reflection and discernment made it possible to share the reality of the provinces and renew commitment to the Salesian mission.
Saturday’s formation programme featured three particularly significant presentations. Borja Pérez Galnares, World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, shared the orientations for the 2026-2032 six-year period, structured around four key words: listening, communion, mission and participation. He highlighted the need to strengthen vocational identity, youth leadership and co-responsibility within the Association.
Sr. Carmen Lucrecia Uribe, FMA, World Delegate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the Salesian Cooperators, recalled the fundamental role of the local centre as a place of formation and accompaniment. She insisted on ongoing formation that transforms life, fosters identification with Christ and strengthens fraternal care.
For his part, Manuel Jiménez Castro, SDB, appointed Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the Salesian Family, invited participants to recover the spiritual depth of their vocation, to live consultation as a true space of communion and discernment, and to strengthen mutual accompaniment among the various groups of the Salesian Family.
The group work sessions helped identify the main challenges facing the Region. In youth ministry and vocational animation, emphasis was placed on giving young people a voice, integrating them into the life of local centres and fostering encounters between generations. In communication, the proposal was to move towards a shared regional identity and a more coordinated digital presence.
The administration group underlined economic solidarity as an expression of belonging and stressed the importance of fraternal accompaniment. Delegates reflected on the challenges of availability and coordination in their service. In the area of family ministry and solidarity, participants highlighted the importance of strengthening Don Bosco Homes and Salesian Cooperation for the Youth of the World (CSJM), consolidating collaboration among centres and extending the mission to parishes, dioceses and other social realities.
The seven provinces presented their projects and initiatives, while the Regional Executive Secretariat shared its programme. The evaluation of the 2022-2026 period made it possible to recognise the progress achieved and identify new priorities for formation, associative life and apostolic commitment.
On Sunday, the election of the new World Councillor took place, following the vacancy created by the appointment of Borja Pérez as World Coordinator. Diego Quesada Polo, from the Mary Help of Christians Province, was elected with 33 of the 53 votes cast in the second ballot.
After accepting the service, Diego expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and stated his availability in faith: “I know whom I have trusted.” He also asked for the accompaniment, prayers and fraternal correction of the entire Association.
The closing Eucharist, presided over by Manuel Jiménez, offered a final invitation to care for the foundation of the Salesian vocation: “The most important thing about our Salesian vocation is to remain closely united to the Lord.”
The Congress concluded by reaffirming the commitment to continue building a fraternal Association, open to young people, present within the Church and attentive to the needs of society, making visible, through Don Bosco’s charism, the transforming power of love.