Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - The Latin American nations are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, according to the custom of that continent, its reference point is the Solemnity of the Pentecost, following the same theme recommended for the whole world: "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayers" (Acts 2:42).
The Week of Prayer in Argentina will be held from Sunday 12 to Sunday, June 19. In the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires the main event, organized by the Ecumenical Commission of Christian Churches in Argentina (EICC), will be held on Thursday 16 June at 7.30pm in the parish of Our Lady of Consolation.
In Bolivia the Week of Prayer is celebrated from June 5 to 12. The Archdiocese of Sucre has organized a series of activities and invited the community of believers to reflect on the proposed model of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles. The Archdiocese of Cochabamba held its first meeting on Monday, June 6 at the Parish Maria Auxiliadora (in Loreto) on the theme: "Many members in one body".
The President of the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC), the Bishop of Chapeco (SC), Mgr. Manoel João Francisco, and the General Secretary, Rev. Luiz Alberto Barbosa, have encouraged the participation of all communities in Brazil. For the General Secretary "the interest of the community in celebrating the Week of Prayer has grown year by year, a fact that makes us very happy and at the same time, gives us hope to see unity reign one day in all the Christian people ". The President of the CONIC noted that "the Week of Prayer demonstrates unity and indicates that the Christian faith has common points of reference, as for example, the Apostles, who were responsible for the gathering of the teachings of Jesus Christ". He also encouraged Catholics so that this Week of Prayer "is not one of those traditions that arise spontaneously in our communities, but calls for awareness and willingness to participate".
Between 12 and 18 June throughout Colombia the week of prayer will take place, proposed by the Department of Doctrine and Ecumenism of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (ECC). In collaboration with the existing historical churches in Colombia, the Department has organized various activities, adapting to local conditions the material prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and the World Council of Churches. Within the Week of Prayer, on Sunday, June 12 there will be an ecumenical service at 4pm, in the Greek-orthodox church, Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, in Bogotá. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 06/08/2011)
