AMERICA/MEXICO - "It is time to make a quantum leap to promote, support and assist the laity," said Mgr. Aguiar Retes

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The President of the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), His Exc. Mgr. Carlos Aguiar Retes, speaking with journalists during a break of the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization which he is attending, showed that one of the priorities of the Church in Mexico is to reach and allow those Catholics who have strayed away to come back again. The Archbishop of Tlalnepantla reported that in Latin America the Catholic dioceses have thousands of faithful "pastoral operators" devoted to various pastoral activities, but they have not yet influence in society, despite their large numbers.
"The Church has grown a lot in the last 50 years, but it is time to make the quantum leap to promote, support and assist the laity in making the Gospel present in their places of living, working and professional life. We are just at the beginning," said the Archbishop. Mgr. Aguiar noted that bringing Catholics to be present in the world of politics, economy, business, trade unions, hospitals ... the faithful who have strayed will become conscious of their spiritual identity. In this respect it will be necessary for the Church to change mentality, for priests not to continue to use past methods, for a 'pastoral conservation'."
The Archbishop concluded by pointing out that "in 1910, 90 percent of the population lived in the countryside, in small communities, while 10 percent lived in cities. Nearly 100 years later, in 2010, the situation has completely changed. Almost 90 percent live in the city, while a few still live in the country. This means that it is necessary to change many strategies, methods used by the Church must change towards new conditions." (CE) (Agenzia Fides 19/10/2012)