AMERICA/MEXICO - The serious challenges born of a mentality which is global, pragmatic and notoriously selfish, “call the Church and its Bishops to constantly revise their task of evangelisation”: statement from Mexican Bishops after 79th general assembly

Mexico City (Fides Service) - Although there has been progress thanks to efforts on all sides to strengthen democracy and guarantee relative economic stability and respect for personal freedom, etc., nevertheless “serious challenges rising from a global, pragmatic and selfish mentality which feeds on materialism and consumerism is exerting its influence on social, political, cultural and religiouis life in Mexico”. This statement was part of a message “Living Communion is a gift and task of the Church”, issued by the Bishops of Mexico who gathered for their 79th assembly 4 - 8 July at Lago de Guadalupe (Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico state). The Bishops call attention to “the growing gap between those who accumulate riches protected by economic policies and those who pay the price of these policies with clandestine trade, emigration, the anguish of povertà, drug-trafficking, drug abuse, deterioration of family life and very often irreversibile damage to the environment”. These and other situations which cause concern and encourage violence “call the Church and her Bishops to constantly revise her commitment to evangelise”.
The Bishops note that many aspects of their pastoral mission require an exchange of opinions, reciprocal consultation and collaboration among Bishops of the same region and of the whole country. They underscore that “unity and communion are indispensable for working with responsibility to build the Kingdom of God”. But they are convinced that solidarity among neighbouring dioceses and sharing of missionary efforts will help the light of the Gospel to reach those who have yet to be illuminated. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2005, righe 23, parole 309)