Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aysen (Agenzia Fides) – A message of faith and hope was delivered to the people of Aysén by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, and by the Undersecretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Fr Massimo Cenci, PIME, who attended a press conference with the Apostolic Vicar of Aysen, Bishop Luis Infanti, Monday 22 March, for the conclusion of their visit to the Vicariate (see Fides 07/03/2011; 16/03/2011).
The Apostolic Nuncio said that this was his first visit to the region and he was much indebted for the welcome by the local Catholic faithful. The timing of the visit coinciding with the 36th Pastoral Care Day of the Vicariate gave him and the Undersecretary of the Congregation to closely observe the work of the Church in Aysen. Archbishop Pinto also carried the greeting and Apostolic Blessing conferred by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, via the Secretary of State. The Pope urges the faithful of Aysen to “renew their efforts to build a strong Christian community, constantly nourished by the Eucharist and the Word of God.”
The Undersecretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Fr Massimo Cenci, PIME, pointed out that he visited Aysén with the goal of showing and expressing the affection and closeness of Pope Benedict XVI and of Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. According to the statement sent to Fides, Fr Cenci highlighted the the testimony of the life of the two Founders of the religious congregations present in the region: Blessed Fr Luigi Guanella and Sister Bonifacia Rodriguez, both soon to be canonised.
After the press conference, the Apostolic Nuncio departed Aysen for Santiago, to welcome the President of the United States, Barack Obama, on his visit to Chile. On the other hand, the Undersecretary of the Missionary Dicastery visited several activities run by the Church in Aysen, among them the labs and Francis Xavier Butina School of the Servant Sisters of St Joseph, and the family homes for children and the elderly run by the Guanellians. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 22/03/2011)
