Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of the Argentinean region of Patagonia-Comahue have renewed their commitment to “help create a society without exclusion, in justice and solidarity”, and invited us to “imagine a society in which all of us feel responsible for the implementation of a project that does not exclude anyone because of their culture, their economic situation, their religion or sex; a society proposing to exist together in fullness, made possible and transformed by this Child to be born.”
The Bishops issued their Christmas letter, a copy of which was sent to Fides. The text explained that, “this project means involving the country's recognized, respected, trusted and accepted institutions, considered necessary for the fulfilment of every person and of society itself”. That is why the terms “marriage and family” are considered “primary and fundamental institutions of society, of the State with its autonomous powers (judicial, legislative and executive), schools and universities, teachers and at work for the dignity of man.”
These institutions are essential for the individual and for society, and can not be ignored or injured by false and often unfair criticism. Neither can they be used as a “springboard” to achieve superficial and meaningless ends. “They are for the common good of all, part of that plan for a full life that we all deserve to enjoy. They are essential for the country to become a home to all and for all, that which our ancestors dreamed of and for which they gave their lives,” he emphasised.
The absence of the family, the decline in the level of public education and lack of perspective leads many young people to solitude, and later to seek refuge in addictions, and in some cases even suicide.
“There are many symptoms of this wound from which our society suffers today”, the Bishops conclude. “In every wound we see a cause that gives rise to it. This is a disorder caused by personal ambition, selfishness and narrow sectoral or ideological interests, the lack of reference to God and to the transforming power of love; in short, from personal sin and the structures that condition (ignorance, complicity) and give rise to so-called social sin, that we must rise above by humbly returning to God, to permit the free and committed participation of all citizens in the pursuit of the Common Good.” (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/12/2010)
