VATICAN - Relaunch of the Mission ad Gentes and permanent formation: the recommendations of Cardinal Filoni to the Congolese Bishops

Monday, 9 July 2012

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - The relaunch of the mission ad gentes and in-depth evangelization of culture and mentality; the integral and permanent formation of candidates to priesthood and consecrated life and lay faithful; the promotion of reconciliation, justice and peace; the human and spiritual support of priests and consecrated people; inviting Bishops to put themselves at the school of Jesus the Good Shepherd and to start afresh from Christ. These are recommendations that Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, left the Congolese Bishops on July 6th in conclusion of the Plenary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference (CENCO), at the end of his pastoral visit.
"I leave feeling happy and satisfied to have met a living and missionary Church, a Church present and very active in the social and educational field, a Church close to the poorest, that agrees to take charge of their vital needs, translating into action the infinite love of Jesus for men, especially the poorest," said the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, emphasizing the difficulty of the context in which the Church operates. "Some of you live in total insecurity and suffer threats in carrying out their mission - continued Cardinal Filoni -. I admire the optimism and determination with which most of you face all kinds of difficulties that have marked the life of your dioceses. Despite these many difficulties, you are doing a heroic job in carrying out the mission. "
The positive aspects are unfortunately thwarted by some negative realities: in addition to the consequences of poverty, conflict and insecurity, "the Church is also suffering and mainly because of unethical behavior and lack of loyalty of some of its members, priests and consecrated people", Cardinal Filoni highlighted, saying he is still confident that the Bishops are familiar with the situation, challenges and priorities to face. The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples concluded his homily by recommending the Bishops "to live in unity, thus showing the face of Christ", and entrusting all to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Notre Dame du Congo, Star of Evangelization. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2012)


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