Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tarahumara (Agenzia Fides) - Bishop Rafael Sandoval, Bishop of Tarahumara (Mexico), in a Message sent to the faithful of his diocese, asks that they be explicit in announcing Jesus Christ, as the only Saviour, above all in light of the increasing challenge that exists with so many sects, that lead many Catholics astray.
“I see that the people are hungry to know and follow Jesus Christ,” the Bishop stated. Therefore, “Why don’t we satisfy this hunger? Why silence His Name and Person? Why not give Jesus Christ the place He deserves? Why not place the Eucharist at the centre of every gathering?,” Bishop Rafael asked. He recognised the importance of giving testimony, however he reminded the faithful that, “an explicit announcement is necessary, adapted to the different circumstance and constantly renovated.” This does not imply imposition, the Prelate affirms, in efforts to offer solutions to the difficulties often seen in announcing Christ. However, “offering the truth of the Gospel and the salvation that Jesus Christ gives, and doing so with respect and without coercion. Far from being an attack on religious freedom, it is a tribute to freedom and offers the chance to choose a path that even non-believers find noble and praiseworthy. Every evangeliser has the duty and right to propose the truth of Christ. And it is a right of every person to receive the announcement of the Good News of salvation, which is Christ Himself.”
After presenting a strong biblical foundation regarding the necessity of this announcement, Bishop Rafael offered some concrete guidelines as to how to go about acting. First of all, it is important that one falls in love with Christ because “someone who is in love [with Christ] cannot help but announce to the world that He alone saves.” Also, one must, “follow Him, risk everything for Him, and live like Him.” The Bishop also reminds the faithful that these points hold the key to all evangelisation. “We did not become Christians to serve the poor, if it is not for the Lord, Whom we find in the poor.” Thus, “if this foundation is not present in the heart, everything else will come tumbling down very soon.”
There is also a need, “to discover Christ in the various cultures, to announce Him explicitly, to help mature the Christian faith and purify all that is not in line with the Gospel. Announcing Christ does not impoverish cultures; on the contrary, it enriches them.”
Bishop Rafael Sandoval concludes his Message with a special appeal to young people, whom he reminds that Christ needs them “to announce life” and the Church “needs your youthful energy to make the Gospel of life penetrate the structures of society.” “Now is not the moment to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the moment to be proud of Jesus Christ and to preach Him from the rooftops…People are yearning for the freedom, for the light, and for the life that Christ has brought to us in abundance.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2008 righe 37, parole 496)
