The XXVII (27th) Constituency of the Adventist Church in Italy took place from March 3 to 6, 2024 in Grosseto, Tuscany where 296 delegates were present.
2024 marks a special year for the Adventist church in Italy. In 1864, Michael B. Czechowski, the first Adventist missionary, arrived in Italy. In the same year, Caterina Revel, the first European Adventist, was baptized in the Waldensian valleys.
160 years after this important moment, the Adventist Church has organized a series of initiatives that involve everyone, both adults and children.
The Elected Administration
The Constituency confirmed Pastor Andrei Cretu as president of the Italian Union (Uicca). The participants welcomed the confirmation with heartfelt applause.
“Thank you for your trust and for the opportunity you’ve given me to, once again, put myself at the service of the work in Italy,” he said. “I see it as a great privilege, a great responsibility. Let us entrust ourselves to the Lord so that He may guide His work.”
Pastor Mario Brito, president of the Inter-European Division (EUD), then thanked the Lord for Andrei's ministry. He prayed for him and his wife, Tamara, “that they may once again serve God as they have done until now, and that the Holy Spirit may give them the gifts they need to continue to work in this territory.”
The Constituency confirmed Pastor Ignazio Barbuscia as executive secretary of the Italian Union (Uicca). In service since 2009, Ignazio has been involved with Adventist Youth Ministries and the Italian Adventist Pathfinders (AISA) since 2014. Since September 2022, he has also been executive secretary of the Italian Union.
The delegates of the 2024 Constituency accepted the proposal of the Nominating Committee and elected Roberto Buonaugurio as treasurer of the Italian Union (UICCA) for the next five years.
Since 2016, he has served as chief accountant and, since 2019, he has served the church as associate treasurer.
Greetings from the Various Institutions
During the various days of the XXVII (27th) Constituency of the Adventist Church, greetings arrived from the representatives of the institutions and other religious confessions present in Italy.
The Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Alfredo Mantovano, sent his greetings and those of the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, wishing the Assembly good work "in the hope that the dialogue between the Italian State and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, started since 1986, continues profitably and sees further developments in the climate of mutual respect that has always characterized it". Both apologized for their absence due to institutional commitments.
The president of the Republic, the presidents of the Chamber, and the Senate also sent their greetings and wished the Assembly good work, apologizing for their absence due to institutional commitments.
Daniele Garrone, president of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy, quoting some texts taken from the Old Testament, wished the church to always be able to walk with its head held high and speak openly, and to be able to have the ability to listen to the voice of God even in silence.
Also present was Alessandra Trotta, chairman of the Waldensian Table, who stated: "Among you, I have the opportunity to meet brothers, sisters, and friends with whom we have shared important experiences that have given rise to personal acquaintances and friendships. May the Lord accompany you in prayer in the decisions of the discussions."
“It is an honor and a privilege to be here with you,” began Alfredo Giannini, president of the Federation of Pentecostal Churches, “to share this important moment.” He concluded by wishing everyone to "walk together and for a long time so that the kingdom of God can be announced to everyone".
The original article was published on the Inter-European Division news site.