Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) – Education and the environment will be the themes that occupy the agenda of the Bolivian Bishops gathered for their 90th Extraordinary Meeting, from November 11 to 16 at the Clemente Cardinal Maurer House in the Archdiocese of Cochabamba, as announced by Bishop Eugenio Scarpellini, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of El Alto and Assistant Secretary of the Bolivian Bishops' Conference.
Bishop Scarpellini said in an interview that "one central theme at the pastoral level will be to reflect on the guidelines that, as pastors, we must offer the Christians of today, who live in the social, economic, political, family, and community reality." They also intend to reflect on the environment, ecology, "as seen from the perspective of our faith, as a positive reflection of the faithful on nature and all that God gives us is needed," said Bishop Scarpellini.
The problem of education will be part of the agenda, as "at this time in which new educational approaches are being introduced in society, we must reflect on the importance of religious education in shaping the individual as a person," added Bishop Scarpellini. Bolivia is experiencing a special situation, as the government has proposed a change in the national education system (see Fides 4/11/2010).
Defining the statutes of the new structure of the Bolivian Bishops' Conference will be another issue that the bishops need to address at the Assembly. This will be the second time that the bishops gather in an Extraordinary Assembly and on this occasion, they will also be joined by the President of the Conference of Religious, the Chairman of the Diocesan Clergy of Bolivia, and the President of the National Council for the Laity. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2010)
