Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “After having been on retreat on La Verna (Italy), after having been with all those who work with the Holy Father and having been with him personally in the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, one feels an immense satisfaction, a great joy, and a renewed spirit to continue serving our dioceses in Bolivia,” said Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) and President of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference in a brief interview he granted Agenzia Fides, at the end of his Ad Limina visit in Rome.
As for the current situation in Bolivia, tensions continue, the Cardinal said. “There are tensions on all levels and they increase when changes are needed.
Bolivia is right now in need of profound changes, in order to become a homeland for all people. This leads us, as Bishops, to make continual appeals so that everything may take place in tranquility, without violence, without hate or revenge. This is the call that we are constantly making, asking all to be capable of dialoguing, of healing wounds, working towards national reconciliation.” The Cardinal explains that thanks to the accords reached recently, of calling a referendum and prompt elections (see Fides 22/10/2008), “spirits have obviously been calmed a bit, however as occurs with everything that is signed on paper, one must wait and see if it bears the fruits expected. We are now waiting and hoping that everything doesn’t start over again, because it would mean going back to the drawing board and it would be terrible for the entire country.”
The Cardinal also mentioned some of the main challenges that the Church in Bolivia is facing. The main priority he considered was that of “continuing to insist on the building of the Kingdom, that it be one of justice and peace, based on the truth and love, and that it lead all of us towards freedom, because that is the clearest sign of the presence of the Kingdom of God in our land.” As for the Great Continental Mission, launched throughout the American Continent, Cardinal Terrazas showed his desire to want to “take on the restless missionary spirit of Aparecida that has led our entire continent to awaken to its Christian vocation after its light slumber amd make this awarenes last not only for an hour, for a little while, but let it become a way of life for all time, listening to the Divine Teacher and spreading the Word that He has given us to pass along to the entire world.” The Continental Mission will be launched at Easter in Bolivia, so the people are now preparing and gathering the necessary funds. “All the dioceses are already reflecting on the document we published, entitled, “Pastoral focus for all the Dioceses of Bolivia,” in order to adapt all their program objectives to what Aparecida has called for.
The Bishops, at the end of their Ad Limina visit, went to Germany to visit the Dioceses of Treveris and Hildesheim, which have been helping the Church in Bolivia for many years, and with whom there has been a close exchange not only in aid/collaboration, but also in terms of cultural exchange and friendship, which is evident in the many volunteers and missionaries that both dioceses have sent to Bolivia.
On Saturday, November 15, the Bishops visited the Diocese of Hildesheim, where they celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the 25th anniversary of Bishop Jose Mayer’s ordination as Bishop. Bishop Mayer began the collaboration program between Hildesheim and Bolivia. On Sunday, November 16, the Bishops travelled to the Diocese of Treveris, where each Bishop visited a parish of the diocese, celebrating Mass and holding a celebration with the parish community. Today, the Bishops will hold an encounter with the organizers of the collaboration program, to coordinate future activities, with the upcoming celebration of the 50th anniversary of their collaboration with the Diocese of Treveris, in 2010. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2008)
