Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – “As we walk the path of preparation for the big meeting in Madrid in 2011, we turn our gaze to Jesus Christ, who revealed to all people the truth of love which is God, the true meaning of vocation for humans, called to be love and live in love. The Church is always missionary: when evangelising young people with enthusiasm and with new methods from World Youth Day; when bringing the light of the Gospel to people who have barely heard of Jesus Christ. Our Assembly will also study a new document that the Episcopal Commission for Missions and Cooperation between the Churches has released. The mission Ad gentes is a healthy stimulus for the mission of youth. And, conversely, an evangelised youth moved by the love of Christ is a pre-requisite for missionary zeal.” With these words Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Spanish Bishops' Conference ended his speech, thereby opening the work of the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Bishops, at its headquarters in Madrid.
Cardinal Rouco Varela focused his speech on two points: the big meeting in Madrid in 2011, the XXVI World Youth Day, and the places where the truth of human love exists: family, school and parish. With regards the first point he offered a series of reflections that invite us to consider the evangelisation of young people as the most urgent missionary work of our times. For the second point, the Archbishop of Madrid spoke of the necessary synergy between family, school and parish to be able to fulfil the Christian mission. He also connected this reality with the world of youth, noting that “the fruits of the Church's evangelising action for the benefit of young people, and ultimately society, largely depends on this synergy.” (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 01/03/2011)
