Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) – Upon the close of their 99th Assembly, held between April 12 and 16 in Punta de Tralca, the Bishops thanked Pope Benedict XVI for his demonstrations of affection and closeness to the Church and the Chilean people, especially his prayers and words of consolation after the earthquake and tsunami, and his precious gift, the “missionary” image of Our Lady of Carmen, which began a pilgrimage across the country, bringing the Gospel of Chile
In the document, the bishops argue that the situation of the areas most damaged by the earthquake demand the need to address the social debt, inequality, and the obvious lack of better opportunities for young people. Moreover, they invite Catholic schools to join the initiative of offering their support to other schools that have been damaged.
The bishops call on the new authorities to make of their responsibilities an important service, always putting people at the center of public policies and trying to attend, preferentially, to the poorest and most vulnerable, most disadvantaged groups, of the population and to the middle class, who are the hardest hit in times of crisis.
The text ends by invoking the Holy Spirit upon the Church in Chile, so she can experience, "a spring of true solidarity and brotherhood and great hope based in the encounter with Christ that transforms us into disciples and missionaries."
(CE) (Agenzia Fides 22/04/2010)
