AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Preparing for the General Assembly of Bishops: study on the document “Pastoral Goals and Guidelines,” commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the week of prayer for Christian unity, 50th anniversary of Caritas

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) - From April 3 - 8, the Bishops of Bolivia will hold their General Assembly in the city of Cochabamba. There are three main points that will be addressed during these days, according to the Executive Secretary for Pastoral Ministry of the CEB, Fr. Fernando Bascope.
The Bishops will begin with a reflection on the country’s situation and the task of facilitating dialogue between the government and the opposition, in order to offer a chance for peace in the nation. They will also focus on the study and approval of a document entitled, “Pastoral Goals and Guidelines,” which as its title implies, indicates the path for the Church in Bolivia for the coming years. “It is a pastoral reference that has been prepared by the Bishops so that our Church may follow the guidelines according to the spirit of Aparecida, in search of the face of Christ and as a Church that serves those most in need,” said Fr. Fernando. The document is the fruit of the labor carried out among the 18 ecclesial jurisdictions in the country and is now ready to be presented. Since the last Plenary Assembly in November, the Bishops have selected five main priorities to be elaborated in the document of Goals and Guidelines. The themes are based on the Aparecida Document and are: The Primacy of Jesus Christ; The Church that serves in faith in order to proclaim the Gospel message; The missionary Church; The Church that serves and lives in communion; the Church at the service of the kerigmatic message.
Also scheduled to take place during the Bishops’ Assembly is a gathering to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the week of prayer for Christian unity. It will provide an opportunity to reflect and enter into a deeper understanding of the ecumenical path of the Church in Bolivia along with other churches, towards Christian unity. Lastly, the Assembly will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Caritas Bolivia, “which will be an opportunity to give thanks to God for all the benefits we have received as a Church in these 50 years, for having been able to lend a helping hand a joyful heart to so many of our Bolivian brothers who, through Caritas, have received aid during these 50 years,” said the Secretary for Pastoral Ministry (see Fides 31/3/2008).
The Assembly will begin April 3, however beginning today, April 1, the bishops’ commissions and the Permanent Bishops’ Committee (CEP) will meet to wrap up some last-minute details on the Plenary Assembly. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2008; righe 32, parole 417)


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