AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “Everywhere on the Continent profound cultural and religious changes are taking place, the Church is called to speak out in fidelity to her mission”: conclusions of meeting of general secretaries of Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean

Bogota (Fides Service) - The annual meeting of general secretaries of Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean closed yesterday after reflecting on two important questions: the religious situation in the different countries, and certain aspects of social, political and economic life which is some way hinder the activity of the Church; preparations for the 5th General Conference of Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It emerged from the reports presented that the main social situations which affect the Church’s mission in America are the following: persisting, indeed growing poverty and social exclusion; negative affects of globalisation, economic and financial speculation; spreading urban and rural crime, a grave social problem now critical in certain areas.
“From the cultural and religious point of view the challenges are very similar all over Latin America: growing sects and increasing number of people who claim they have no religion; while the number of professed Catholics diminishes, the churches are full”. The voice of the Church is often openly criticised, on the pretext of a ‘secular state’ where, therefore, religious organisations may not express themselves. There was concern to see that there exists an official movement of governments, parliaments and militant groups to approve and legalise abortion, euthanasia, same sex civic unions. “Everywhere on the Continent profound cultural and religious changes are taking place, the Church is called to speak out in fidelity to her mission” Bishop Odilo Pedro Scherer, auxiliary of São Paulo and secretary general of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference said in a report to Fides.
The participants also discussed preparations for the 5th general conference of the Latin America and the Caribbean planned for 2007. The Central Preparatory Commission has been instituted, while at present the Bishops’ Conferences are offering contributions on the central theme which concerns discipleship. In August 2005 the Bishops’ Conferences will receive a paper with the fundamental contents of the thematic nuclei so they can make their contribution. The methodology of preparation used includes great involvement of dioceses and every component of ecclesial life in each country: parishes, associations, movements, clergy, religious, laity, whose contributions will be forwarded to CELAM by the Bishops’ Conferences so that the Central Commission can draft a working paper.
With the hope that preparations for the General Conference will arouse keen interest and that the Conference will be a great ecclesial event at the beginning of the third Christian millennium, Bishop Scherer ended his report as follows: “The present generation of the Church, facing new and major challenges present in Latin America and the Caribbean, must assume once again the attitude of the disciple and, looking at the Master and Lord, let itself be fascinated by contemplating his Face, listening to him with attention, learning from him and letting itself be sent once again on mission”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2005; righe 39; parole 488)