Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - At the close of their 95th Plenary Assembly (April 7-12), the Argentinean Bishops encouraged the diocesan communities to “live the faith and mission with passion and enthusiasm, with a missionary spirit for the entire continent.”
According to their statement, the Bishops spent the last few days trying to determine the adequate means for applying the pastoral orientations that have arisen from the ecclesial encounter in Aparecida. “We wish to renew, together with all the faithful, our commitment to being missionaries of Jesus Christ, keeping in mind the fact that no one can be an apostle and missionary if he does not have an encounter with the Lord, alive and risen, and he converts to Him,” the Prelates said.
A year after the ecclesial encounter and in preparation for the feast of Pentecost, “we wish to share with you all this encouragement and driving force that this experience meant for us, in communion with all the faithful of Latin America and the Caribbean.” The Bishops are convinced that this event has been “a providential message for the Church, that confirms and amplifies the pastoral guidelines of the Church in Argentina, marked out in ‘Navega mar adentro’ [“Put out into the deep”] (2003) and that encourages us to continue our mission with greater commitment.” Thus, in communion with all the sister Churches of the continent, “we share this new missionary impulse, that all of us may become sons of God and truly treat each other as brothers.”
They later showed their appreciation for the efforts made by the particular Churches in their new plans and projects, as well as the generous self-donation of priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, pastoral ministry workers, and all Christian communities. “With you all we wish to continue being open to the Spirit, that comes from Aparecida to renew our enthusiasm in being missionaries of Jesus Christ. Taking the hand of Mary, faithful disciple and servant, we wish to bring the fullness of life to our people.” They also made an appeal “to each one of our dioceses to live the faith and the mission with passion and enthusiasm, with a missionary spirit for the entire continent.”
“Knowing Jesus Christ, thanks to the faith, is our joy; following Him is a grace, and transmitting this treasure to others is a God-given responsibility. The charity of Christ urges onwards. We are aware that in becoming better missionaries of Jesus Christ is a gift for the entire Church and a service to our country,” concluded the Bishops of Argentina. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2008 righe 34, parole 425)
