Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Atyra (Agenzia Fides) – The final document of the III Latin American Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, which took place in Atyra (Paraguay), September 2-5, 2010, was recently published. Convened by the Department of Ecclesial Communion and Dialogue at CELAM, the Congress was attended by 12 bishops responsible for movements, along with representatives of 32 movements in 19 Latin American and Caribbean nations, who gathered to exchange impressions and local experiences of the Great Continental Mission, which they are carrying out with their pastors.
In the final document, a copy of which was sent to Fides, several positive aspects emerged: greater appreciation of the richness and contribution of the movements by bishops and priests; greater integration of the movements in the diocesan pastoral plans; increased familiarity among movements; recognition of the contribution to formation offered by movements... However, there are also obstacles: lack of communication and coordination between the priests and movements and coordination of the movements amongst themselves; excessive activity and lack of time; obvious shortcomings in doctrinal and ecclesial formation of many lay people; increasing secularization and lack of adequate answers on how to evangelization in this new reality; lack of passion and conviction in the testimony of some Christians, serious problems such as migration, violence, injustice, drug trafficking... "The lack of integration of all the living forces of the Church, including some movements and new communities, seriously affects the effective outcome of the Permanent Continental Mission," the text says.
A number of proposals are set out in the final document: increase the personal and community encounter with Jesus Christ through an intense spiritual life and witness; encourage movements to live faithfully the dynamism of their missionary charism, offering them opportunities for action and tasks where they can exercise their charism, bearing in mind the fundamental documents of the Church on the mission; making dioceses and parishes a part of what movements carry out, enhancing the missionary spirit of each movement.
There was also a proposal made "to seek new forms and renewed methods for evangelization," to promote a closer relationship between movements and Pastors, illustrating their importance in the journey of priestly formation and religious life; to recognize "the signs of the times" in the reality that surrounds us; promote active participation in the Continental Mission and dissemination of guidelines that inspire its completion; increased training of evangelization workers for the dialogue with culture; make room for the encounter and communion among movements, parishes, and dioceses, to promote networks and places of meeting in order to increase the unity of action among movements, in light of the challenges presented by today's culture. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2010)
