Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Panama City (Agenzia Fides) – The Church in Panama declared itself to be in a “permanent state of mission” this past March 1, with the official launching of the Continental Mission, at the foot of the statue of Christ in Atalaya, where hundreds of faithful gathered along with the country's Bishops. The Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, in the Diocese of Santiago de Veraguas, was the site chosen by the Panamanian Bishops' Conference, for the launch. The Eucharist was presided by Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza of the Diocese of David, President of the Panamanian Bishops' Conference, who mentioned three main points in his homily: Why the mission? What is the purpose of the mission? How is a mission carried out?
Why the mission? “Because we are the Church of Jesus Christ, the one who was 'sent,' the 'missionary' of the Father,” the Bishop said. “And He Himself chose and sent the Apostles, that is, the Church, to continue His mission.” Thus, the Bishop recalls, “the Church of Jesus is missionary by its nature, full time, and in all its structures.” However, the Bishop said, “in some moment in our history, we lose sight of the mission and we stop feeling the urgency of the mission that was expressed by Saint Paul: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” Thus, we must “recover our missionary identity, our missionary zeal.” And this is precisely the fundamental goal of the Continental Mission.
The second question that the Bishop responds to in his homily was: “What is the purpose of the mission?” in which he recalled that the most important is to preach the Good News, “which consists in that no one be excluded from the Father's love.” “The fruit of the mission is 'life,'” the Bishop said, “but not just any life, but the life of Jesus Christ” and therefore, “just as we cannot be Christ's disciples without being missionaries, neither can we do so without being promoters of life.” In this sense, he made an appeal to defend life in all its stages and to fight to promote a decent life for all people, regardless of their class. Thus, we should “fight for policies that are at the service of the common good; for an economic solidarity that distributes the State's recourses with equality; for an inclusive society that opens opportunities to all people, especially for those most in need; for an education in values, one that promotes culture and a respect for consciences and parental rights; for an administration of impartial and expedite justice; for a public security that respects human rights; for more careful attention to social problems; for a coexistence without rancor or violence, with differences but without division and with tolerance.” This missionary attitude will lead to a new society.
As for the third question, that is, “How is a mission carried out?”, he assures that “it is not simply about doing a mission, but placing ourselves in a state of mission.” At the same time, he recalled that in order to carry out this mission of disciple-missionary of Jesus, we must be people of prayer who read the Word of God with frequency and is fed by and sustained by the power of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation. “We are not disciple-missionaries upon our own will or strengths, but by God's election and His Grace.”
He concluded his homily with a brief reference to the political situation in the country, expressing his regret for the fact that the politicians have not responded to the appeal made by the Bishops calling for the signing of an Electoral Ethics Accord (see Fides 12/01/2009), which leads them to fear that the political campaign could become a power struggle at any cost. On behalf of all the Bishops, Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza decries all use of physical, psychological, or verbal violence and demands that competent authorities take the necessary measures in these cases. And to all Panamanians, he asks that “they may not be led to violence or name-calling, but that they may analyze the proposals made by the government and, when election day arrives, exercise their right and duty to vote in Christian concience and responsible citizenship.”
“We came to Atalaya as pilgrims; we return to our homes and communities as missionaries,” the Bishop concluded in his homily. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2009)
