Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Bishop Raul Martinez Paredes, Auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala City, has recently been in Rome for his “ad limina” visit. In an interview with Agenzia Fides, the Bishop explains the main challenges and difficulties the Church faces in Guatemala, as well as, the Church’s missionary life.
What are the main challenges that the Church is currently facing in Guatemala?
One of the main challenges is caring for the poor, as there is a large number of people with very little resources that require a response and support, above all from the Church. Another great challenge for the Bishops is the numerous sects, as many are very aggressive in some places. In my opinion, this is one of the largest problems for the country today.
In a pastoral level, one of the issues we consider as an important priority is the family. In fact, we have already begun to experience some difficulties and tough challenges in terms of the education being promoted by the government. It is an extremely aggressive education, especially on some themes such as reproductive health. Furthermore, it often does not take into account the rights of parents in educating their children. This is a tough challenge, and so we are seeing how we can face up to it.
And the young people?
In Guatemala, we have a large number of young people, which implies a great wealth, however, which also implies a great responsibility that demands a response and attention from the Bishops. Guatemala is a nation of young people, with 65% of its citizens under the age of 18. The rate of population growth is high, although it has suffered a crisis in recent years, due to threats from the birth prevention politics and the widespread promotion of contraceptives.
The Church in Guatemala is also very rich in vocations and in recent years, the number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life has experienced a rapid growth spurt. However, the challenge comes in trying to integrate these vocations and in whether they all persevere or not.
Another important challenge is Christian formation. In many places it is very difficult and we are unable to reach many areas for lack of pastoral workers. However, we have the great support from the catechists who offer their help in all the parishes of Guatemala.
How is the missionary life of the Church in Guatemala? How are they preparing for the CAM 3 and for the Great Continental Mission?
First of all, I have to say that CAM 2 was very successful in awakening the missionary conscience of the country, in all the parishes. Since then, some of the missionary groups for young people and the Missionary Childhood, which are both very active in the dioceses, saw an increase in participation. Many of them look forwards to doing missionary activity in the diocese near them or in parishes other than their own. All this has inspired a great enthusiasm. This has been the fruit of CAM 2: a great openness to the mission and an awareness of our responsibility for those near to and far from us. Regarding CAM 3, we could say that there is a lot of interest, although it is not as well-known yet. Perhaps we, as pastors, have not promoted it enough, but there is a great enthusiasm, especially among the youth, who motivate us as Bishops is taking up the initiative in this sense.
The Bishops of Guatemala are also reflecting on the challenge to place in practice everything from Aparecida and the Great Continental Mission. It means placing concrete means for each diocese regarding the continental mission, in which we are called to be missionaries and apostles above all else. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2008; righe 52, parole 619)
