Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Castel Gandolfo (Fides Service) - “Meetings among bishops are precious opportunities to experience and deepen unity. In this sense the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico is called to be a bright sign of ecclesial communion aimed to facilitate the ministry of the bishop and strengthen collegiality. Today it is more than ever necessary to unite efforts and share experiences”. This was the exhortation the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI addressed to a first group of Bishops from Mexico («Norte Occidente») received in ad limina visit on Thursday 8 September at his Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo.
After recalling that “Mexico was born of the encounter of peoples and cultures whose physiognomy was marked by the living presence of Jesus Christ and the mediation of Mary” the Pope said: “In our day Mexico is in a process of transition characterised by the appearance of groups which, at times in a more or less ordered manner, demand more participation and representation. Many of them make strong claims for the poor and those excluded from development, in particular the indigenous peoples. A profound longing to consolidate a culture and democratic, economic and social institutions which recognise the people’s human rights and cultural values, should find an echo and an illuminated response in the pastoral activity of the Church.”
The Holy Father went on to underline the urgent need for formation in every area of the Church to help individual believers “live the Gospel in the different dimensions of life … the traditional forms of living the faith, handed on with sincerity and spontaneously through family customs and teaching, must mature to become a personal and community option”. In particolar Pope Benedict said this formation is necessary for young Mexicans “who stop frequenting the church community after the Sacraments of initiation and find themselves faced with a society marked by growing cultural and religious pluralism.”
Families also “require adeguate pastoral care to help them discover and live their dimension of «domestic church»”. It is necessary to keep in mind that knowledge of the contents of the faith “can never be a subsitute for personal encounter with the Lord.”
Among the lights which show the richness of the Church in Mexico, the Holy Father mentioned over four hundred institutes of consecrated life, mainly of women, many founded in Mexico, “which evangelise all over the country in different areas, cultures and places”. In addition to be noted, increasing participation of lay Catholics, growing presence of national and international lay movements, greater community experience. “With regard to local and regional situations Bishops should promote certain organic pastoral processes to give deeper meaning to manifestations arising simply from tradition or custom. These processes should aim first of all to integrate the instructions of the Council with pastoral challenges arising in the different concrete situations”.
By way of conclusion Benedict XVI said “present day society questions and observes the Church demanding coherence and courage in the faith. Visibile signs of credibility will include witness of life, unity among beleivers, service of the poor and tireless promotion of their dignity. In the task of evangelisation it is necessary to be creative, always in fidelity to the Church Tradition and teaching.” Since we live in a culture marked by the means of social communications, the Pope urged the Mexican Bishops to take advantage “of the qualification of many men and women of culture and the opportunities offered by public institutions in this field”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2005; righe 41, parole 577)
