Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) – This coming week, the Bishops of Bolivia will begin their 87th Orinary Assembly in the city of Cochabamba, one year after the previous Assembly, as the Bishops were on their Ad limina visit in November of last year. Among the main topics of discussion for the Bishops, according to a report from Secretary General Adjunct of the CEB Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini, is an analysis of the current situation in the country and the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Bolivian government.
Another important point to be addressed will be the Permanent Mission in Bolivia, a subject to which the Bishops will dedicate great time and attention, as the Church in Bolivia is called to live Jesus' mission and build up the Kingdom of God at this time.
The third issue to be addressed is the revision and restructuring of the CEB, so that it may truly serve the mission and respond to the current needs of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions and the life of Christian communities in the country.
Fr. Scarpellini also mentioned that the assembly will celebrate an important event in the launching of the Permanent Mission in Bolivia on Sunday, April 26, in September 14th Square in the city of Cochabamba. “All the Bishops, representatives, and delegates from all the jurisdictions will be present at the event, which will feature and official act in which each jurisdiction will be presented with the Triptych of the mission, officially beginning the mission, with a missionary spirit.” In preparation for this “sending out” on April 25, there will be reflection workshops in the Don Bosco Hall, followed by a missionary music concert, as well as a gathering of the delegates with the parishes of Cochabamba, and a series of events that will help strengthen the missionary spirit of the Church.
Prior to the initiation of the 87th Assembly, the CEB and the commissions will meet to present their reports to the Bishops and mark out the main challenges for the Church. The Permanent Bishops' Committee will meet on April 22, to discuss certain issues and present the themes of the Assembly.
Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini has asked all the Catholics in the nation to accompany the Assembly with their prayers, as it is a moment of intense communion for the Bolivian Church; “as the Bishops come together and examine the Church's path in our time, they hope to lead the Church in Bolivia to a building-up of the Father's Kingdom, so that the Father's mission, mercy, and love that reach us through Christ, can in turn fill the lives of our communities and society at large.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2009)
