Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides) - On the occasion of the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences CELAM, Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message of good wishes dated 14 May 2005 in which he underlines the important role of this Council at the service of the Bishops in Latin America. The Pope calls on the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean to “give special attention to family catechesis and the promotion of a positive and correct vision of marriage and conjugal morals, contributing in this way to the formation of authentic Christian families which shine for the way in which they live the values of the Gospels”.
Recalling that since its foundation CELAM has been called to encourage vocations, “that they may be numerous and holy”, looking to the future the Pope encourages CELAM to continue to offer its important contribution and decisive support in this field “to help young people discern the call and to accompany their response”. Since the aim of this Council is to promote collaboration among the Bishops themselves and with the Holy See the Pope stresses the need for “a deeper spirit of communion and reciprocal charity in life within the Church”. “In the exercise of pastoral work this unity in charity must shine among Bishops and clergy and religious and persons who live their consecration in the charisma of their own community”.
The message from Benedict XVI ends with the wish “that the commemoration may produce encourage in Bishops and in all the particular Churches of Latin America an ever more vigorous evangelising impulse”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 18/5/2005, righe 20, parole 273)
