Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) - "It is seriously troubling that the faith, love, and devotion that the Chilean people have always held towards the Mother of God in this historic image venerated by all Chileans, has been harmed. We do not know who has been responsible for these acts, however justice should take action. We have decided to interrupt the Assembly in order for all of us Bishops to go to Santiago. We hope to celebrate Mass at 1:30pm and close our Assembly as a sign of our displeasure for an offense against the faith of over 70% of Chileans," said the Bishop of Rancagua and President of the Chilean Bishops' Conference, when he was informed in the early morning hours on April 18, of an attack on the image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, located in the Parish of El Sagrario in Santiago. All the Bishops have been shocked by the events and decided to end the Assembly with this Mass. Hundreds of Catholic faithful, upon hearing the news, gathered to recite the Rosary and later attended the Mass celebrated by the Bishops. In his homily, Cardinal Errazuriz said that as soon as the Bishops heard of the attack, "a deep sorrow and grief was felt in each of our hearts. This image of the Virgin Mary is so profoundly revered by us and by our people, that the event seemed incomprehensible and deeply troubling." The Prelate affirmed that it may be possible to destroy an image of the Virgin Mary, "but her image lives in us, in each one of our hearts." And, he added, it is impossible to destroy "the spirit of Mary that exists in each one of us."
Once the Mass had ended, the Bishops, priests, and faithful visited El Sagrario Parish, where the Cardinal blessed the Church with holy water and recited a special prayer to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in reparation for the violence committed.
In this same celebration, prior to the final blessing, the leaders of the Bishops' Conference expressed their recognition and gratitude for the nine people who had dedicated so many years at the service of the Institute for Rural Pastoral Care (INPRU) and the Higher Institute for Youth Pastoral Ministry (ISPAJ), both entities within the Bishops’ Conference that now conclude their activities. They were thanked for their valuable services for the mission of the Church in Chile, and were presented with awards for their years of service.
During the Bishops’ Assembly, the Pastoral Guidelines that will be presented to the dioceses in the coming weeks, were approved. The Bishops also studied and approved the new Pastoral Guidelines for Sacramental Ministry. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2008; righe 32, parole 444)
