Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Venezuela published several documents at the close of their Plenary Assembly, which was held July 7-12: a Pastoral Exhortation entitled, “United in Justice and Righteousness” (see Fides 11/7/2008), a Message on the 40th anniversary of the Medellin Document (1968-2008) (see Fides 16/7/2008), a Pastoral Letter on the renewed spirituality that should inspire the People of God in building a Church that fosters communion and solidarity (see Fides 14/7/2008), and lastly, a Pastoral Exhortation on supporting the Church’s work of evangelization in Venezuela, in order to launch the “Pastoral Plan for a United Church,” which we will now address.
The Bishops open the Exhortation by recalling the fact that the Church, from the beginning, received the commandment to continue the Lord’s mission of evangelization, a task to which we are all called. As a result, there is a need to live in a communion of goods. This is “necessary for understanding the life of the Church, because it implies living in communion with one another.” In fact, “an authentic Catholic community should partake in the joys, sufferings, and needs of other Christian communities.” The Bishops say that “the principle of communion is valid for all aspects of the Church’s life, including the economic,” but not the economic alone, because “when we refer to sharing goods, in the area of evangelization, we include our very persons, all that we are and have: talents, time, and wealth.”
In regards to the economic aspect, they say that “all believers should know the source of the economic funds used by the Church.” There are three main sources: contributions from the faithful, help from other Dioceses, and some contributions from the State. “Knowing the source of funding will help them to better assume their responsibilities in every specific area,” the text reads.
“The teachings of Christ make us realize that the abundance of some should be used to make up for what is lacking in the poverty of others, as God is the ultimate owner of all the riches He gives us. And He gives them to us so that we may administrate them well, not only for our own use, but, in a special manner, so that we share them with those most in need.”
In order to facilitate this integration among Christians in the Church’s work of evangelization, the Venezuelan Bishops have drawn up the “United Church Plan,” that seeks to make every Venezuelan Catholic realize his role as an integral member of the Church. “Aware of the fact that our Church is passing through hardships, especially on an economic and social level, we feel the urgent responsibility of offering the People of God a solid and practical doctrine of solidarity in the use of the goods we have, according to the plan of the Creator.” This Plan for solidarity is inspired by the Venezuelan Plenary Council, celebrated last year.
They remind the faithful that they should all offer their support, especially in light of the fact that the “duty of the faithful to support the Church in her economic needs also corresponds to the corresponding duty of the Bishops to assure that [this support] it is properly administrated.” The Bishops conclude their Exhortation, asking that this “United Church Plan” be placed into effect in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the country and imploring Our Lady of Coromoto for the grace “to grow in a spirit of communion and solidarity.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/07/2008)
