Fátima, Portugal - April 2017 - Bishop Joaquim Mendes, SDB, auxiliary bishop of Lisbon, was elected President of the Episcopal Commission for Laity and the Family (CELF) during the Plenary Assembly of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference held from 24 to 27 April. The purpose of this commission is to accompany associations of the faithful in the area of ​​lay apostolate and the promotion of pastoral care in the areas of family, youth and higher education.