Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Miami (Agenzia Fides) - The archdiocese of Miami is celebrating two anniversaries, 50 years since its creation and 25 years since the first publication of the local Catholic newspaper Voz Catolica mainly for Spanish speaking immigrants.
For the 50th anniversary of the archdiocese, Archbishop John C. Favalora, announced a Jubilee year 7 October 2007 - 7 October 2008 with a full programme of initiatives. In a Pastoral Letter for the occasion, to be read in parishes and schools and religious instruction programmes, the Archbishop traces the history of the diocese and says it is important for young people to be familiar with the Catholic roots and history of southern Florida. He encourages Catholics to “give thanks for this spiritual heritage and to live the Golden Jubilee Year with renewed faith in Jesus and new gratitude for the salvation he has brought to the world and to each of us ”. He says the best way to show gratitude to God "is to live as brothers and sisters in our Church and in our communities. The many challenges of this community, rich in cultural diversity, call each of us to work for unity, a sign of the presence of God ".
With regard to the 25th anniversary of Voz Catolica newspaper, the Archbishop said Voz Catolica, has helped the Hispanic community feel at home in the Church and supplied them with reliable information. At the same time for the archdiocese the newspaper has been a channel of evangelisation among the immense crowd of immigrants and exiles from central and southern America". The Archbishop said Voz Catolica was a "reflection of the Hispanic presence in southern Florida, and the efforts of our Church, so rich in secular apostolate, to welcome this numerous people as a blessing". Thanks to the newspaper "numerous Churches have communicated with the sons and daughters in the diaspora” and “it helps keep alive bonds of communion and solidarity". In 1987 the United States Catholic Bishops' Conference decided to promote pastoral care in the languages of the immigrant communities, for mutual enrichment and active participation in the one Church. In this "Voz Catolica has been a valuable testimony of this commitment of Hispanic apostolate in our local Church" the Archbishop concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2007: righe 29, parole 395)
