Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Asuncion (Agenzia Fides) - “The Church in Paraguay, as in all Latin America and the Caribbean, wishes to place itself in 'permanent state of mission.' It is an effort to strengthen the missionary dimension of the Church and the decision to journey together towards conversion, to become missionary disciples of Christ,” says the official declaration opening the Continental Mission in Paraguay, issued by the Bishops' Conference (CEP).
The CEP officially declared the beginning of the Mission in a Mass held in honor of Our Lady of the Miracles of Caacupe, on December 8, in the presence of over 300,000 faithful. The Mass was concelebrated by the Bishops of Paraguay and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Orlando Antonini. At the close of the communion rite, Archbishop Pastor Cuquejo of Asuncion, President of the CEP, pronounced the words of declaration.
The symbol for the Continental Mission was displayed before the faithful by Bishop Juan Bautista Gavilan of Coronel Oviedo, President of the Bishops' Commission for Pastoral Ministry, and Bishop Edmundo Valenzuela Mellid, Apostolic Vicar of Chaco, and President of the Bishops' Commission of Missionary Animation of the CEP. Both Bishops' Commissions will be in charge of coordinating all the aspects that deal with the development, modality, and accompaniment of the Mission in the Diocese. The implementation of the Guidelines for Pastoral Action are already underway and the process has already begun in several dioceses and parishes throughout the country. According to the Bishops, this is a moment of grace and “the permanent state of mission” implies a great willingness to rethink and reform many pastoral structures, based on the main principle of “spirituality of communion” and missionary audacity. “The most important is that the people convert,” they said, in conclusion. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/12/2008)
