Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San José de Costa Rica (Fides Service) - “Stay with us Lord” was the title of a message issued by the Secretariat of the Bishops’ Conferences of Central America SEDAC at the end of a meeting in November in the Costa Rican diocese of Alajuela. The message has four parts: the encounter with Jesus: conversion, communion and solidarity; reading the signs of the times; go into the whole world!; Stay with us Lord.
The message opens with a theological-spiritual reflection on the encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist and the consequences for his disciples which can be summarised as follows: commitment for conversion, communion with God and with others, reciprocal forgiveness, building peace, Church unity etc. The message expresses concern for the general situation in Central American countries especially attacks on human life: “The panorama, overshadowed by lack of respect for this precious gift of God, is further darkened by certain policies promoted by international bodies. The sacredness of the unborn child, the holiness of the family and matrimony, the dignity of women and the education of youth come under brutal attack , often apparently inoffensive”. In the face of these unacceptable attacks the Bishops of Central America reaffirm their option pro life.
Difficulties identified by the Bishops include spreading poverty, more migrants, more violence, despite promises of the advantages of a globalised economy. Violence is another concerning phenomenon: the Bishops say that a purely repressive approach only leads to more violence . With regard to Jesus’ mission command to his disciples, the message offers guidelines to face the main challenges to evangelisation: spreading secularism and not enough lay Catholics involved in public life to transform society with the values of the Kingdom; people in search of existential meaning, attracted away from the Church by new sects and religions. These challenges, the document said, “call for greater efforts in evangelisation particularly in the following areas: consolidate family catechesis to strengthen the path of Christian initiation and maturation of faith throughout life; build missionary communities closer to distinct realities, more personalised and welcoming; render celebrations of the Eucharist warmer and more fraternal; boost missionary spirit in communities encouraging holiness and creativity in new evangelisation, essential for being effective witnesses of the Risen Lord in the new situations demanded of today’s cultural and social economic changes”.
The document closes with a prayer, asking the Lord help the Church be the light and guide of the peoples of Central America. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 20/1/2005; righe 36, parole 476)
