Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – At the International Symposium of Missiology, held in Caracas (see Fides 19/1/2011; 26/1/2011), Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez of San Cristobal (Venezuela), devoted his opening address to the theme “pastoral conversion”. In a note sent to Fides, it was stressed that the issue of pastoral conversion can address the challenges that the world today presents to the Church and to its evangelizing mission. “The circumstances surrounding the Church's missionary work”, said Bishop Moronta, “require a stance of continual change, and one that is focused on the main purpose of her mission: Jesus Christ the Lord.”
After making some references on the subject of the Magisterium of the Church, the Bishop confirmed that Aparecida spoke with clarity on pastoral conversion. “In the final document, pastoral conversion is shown from the point of view of missionary renewal of ecclesial communities in response to the great challenges facing the Church: the signs of the times, the situations and the present moment,” he said.
Bishop Moronta concluded by stressing that, in view of the celebration of fourth American Missionary Congress, the new evangelization of the continent should be presented as an expression of pastoral conversion, calling for an examination of conscience on the reality and the work of pastoral care in the continent. He also suggested that consideration be given, in future Symposiums, to the theme of popular religion. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 27/01/2011)
