AMERICA/EL SALVADOR - Bishops' Assembly examines the Great Mission, law on childhood and unchecked exploitation of minerals

Friday, 25 January 2008

San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - During a recent Assembly the Bishops of El Salvador discussed various aspects of the ecclesial and social situation in the country. In a Message issued at the end of the meeting they list the matters examined. One of the issues was the Document issued at the end of the 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida. The Bishops thank the faithful for welcoming the document with enthusiasm. The final document of Aparecida "represents for each of us, encouragement to follow Christ more closely and to be more committed to the mission of the Church”. For the Bishops the document must be assimilated before the Great Mission can start in the country, a mission which will not be “temporary, it must lead every parish community, associations and movements of apostolate to be in a ‘state of mission’”. One of the first initiative which the Church in El Salvador will undertake in this context will be the 1st National Mission Congress in May on the theme “The Parish a missionary community” (see Fides 15/6/2007; 28/6/2007).
The Bishops also reflected on a law for integral protection of childhood and adolescence which is being prepared, underlining that the doctrine of the Church “proclaims the defence of life from conception to natural end” and reaffirming “the primary right of parents to decide how children are educated ”.
The Bishops also discussed unchecked exploitation minerals in various parts of the country. “On this theme we say that this activity is unacceptable, since it causes irreversible damage to persons and the ecosystem”. The Bishops also discussed increasing violence, rising cost of living, carious aspects regarding elections next year, themes on which the Bishops give pastoral advice since this is a “most important matter for the future of our beloved country ”.
The Bishops of El Salvador conclude by asking on the faithful to pray they may make a fruitful ad limina visit to Rome in February: "so the orientation the Vicar of Christ will offer us may guide us to fulfil our mission”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 25/1/2008; righe 28, parole 386)


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