Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - “We take up the invitation made in the Aparecida Document, renewing out parishes so they can become authentic areas of Christian initiation, faith formation and celebration, in which the laity play an active and creative role in the elaboration and execution of pastoral projects at the service of the entire community, in which apostolic movements and organizations do not only find their own ways of enriching others with their charisms and the living witness of their members, but where they also form an integral part of the dynamism of parish life.” This is what the Bishops affirmed in their Final Message to the faithful at the close of their 87th Plenary Assembly celebrated April 20-23, whose central theme was the pastoral renewal of parishes.
According to an explanation from the Mexican Bishops' Conference Secretary General, Bishop Jose Leopoldo Gonzalez, at the close of the Assembly, for the three-year term 2007-2009, the Bishops focused on for main themes in relationship to the Final Document of Aparecida. Firstly, they reflected on the role of the Bishop, the priests, and religious according to the Aparecida Document. Secondly, the reflected on Christian initiation and the formation itinerary for the missionary disciple in a situation in which many are baptized but few have converted (see Fides 31/3/2008; 2/4/2008). The third theme was the laity in the life of the parish and the transformation of society beginning with their environments, such as the world of politics, economics, culture, and the media. This part of the Assembly was attended by 150 lay men and women (see Fides 11-13-14/11/08). The final theme discussed in the meeting was the parish as a place where the faithful live and gather together, and the Continental Mission, which has been accompanied especially by the Pastoral Vicars of each Diocese, as they are the ones responsible on a territorial level, and the ones who have direct contact with the parishes.
These Vicars, according to the Bishops' explanation in the Final Message, “with their experience of working with the Diocesan Pastoral Plans” helped enrich the reflections on the present reality of parishes and future plans “so that these institution that are key to the life of the Diocese, can become centers for a greater radiation of life in Christ, from whence a permanent mission can emerge, where authentic disciples of Christ can better form themselves and thus give spirit to the permanent mission, reaching out to the hearts of all men and women...”
The Bishops also analyzed the pros and cons of the parish, in its great importance in the pastoral life of the Church and that have been indicated in the Pastoral Letter in 2000, as well as the challenges of rural parishes...The parishes in urban areas are also inadequate in structural size and the efficacy of the pastoral activity is greatly reduced. Taking into account the primary role of the parish pastor as the personal representative of the Bishop in the parish, the Prelates of Mexico expressed their appreciation for their efforts, dedication, generosity, and valuable testimony of holiness of so many priests who give their lives in so many parishes, and asked them to “renew their parishes with enthusiasm, joy, with a new heart modeled after the Heart of the Good Shepherd, aware that the parish's renewal demands new attitudes on the part of the pastors and priests at their service, that they may be promoters of an authentic pastoral conversion among all their members.”
The Bishops conclude their message by reiterating their adhesion to the Holy Father Benedict XVI, “assuring him of our spiritual closeness in this difficult moment of his pontificate and thanking him for the declaration of the Year of the Priest,” placing “the present and future of our parishes in the hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2009)
