Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday 12 December, feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe to whom all America is dedicated, the President of the Catholic Bishops of Chile Archbishop Alejandro Goic, presented a Pastoral Letter "Missionary disciples of Jesus Christ for new times" addressed to rural communities (see Fides 20/11/2007).
The Letter, addressed to rural Chileans who live on and work the land, is the result of a lengthy process of dialogue between peasants and the respective Bishops. It deals with the situation in the farming world, for rural families, young people, education old people, the right to work, agricultural policies.
With this Letter the Bishops of Chile intend to increase awareness in the rest of the civil society of the necessity to show more concern and respect for rural citizens, to "enable them to live a life of quality and dignity, to enhance their culture and values and forms of association and organisation”.
Archbishop Goic underlined that changes in recent years affected also the rural world which demands answers in keeping with its history, culture and values. Underlining that only a "healthy society can recognise and protect the rural world as a gift of God", the Bishop continued: "There are new challenges to be faced, new problems to solve new opportunities to be taken", he said. He also said that in view of the changes "call for a changed attitude to the rural world, more responsibility on the part of everyone: the farming communities themselves, the authorities, city dwellers, professional and business categories. Rural communities need more attention”.
The process to elaborate the letter began in October 2004 at the initiative of a few Bishops. The aim was to address a Pastoral Letter to rural communities and persons and structures connected with the rural world to encourage them to live the Gospel in the situations and challenges with which they are faced. With the help of the national institute for rural pastoral care INPRU and experts in various fields, a process of reflection was started on rural life and the changes and challenges it poses for Christian life. Beginning in 2005 total number of 44 meetings were organised and the final text was approved at the 94th assembly of the Bishops Conference in November in Punta di Tralca. The text of the Letter will soon be available on the web site of the Chilean Bishops' Conference. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/12/2007; righe 30, parole 456)
