Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guapi (Agenzia Fides) - "After so many years of suffering due to the evils of violence and corruption, now is the right time to eradicate all evil and forgive one another, establishing a culture of peace and giving rise among you to personal, family and community dynamics of reconciliation". This is the invitation that Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, addressed to the Colombian faithful of the Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi, on the Pacific coast, which he visited yesterday, 23 May.
Before the Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Cardinal met priests, men and women religious, seminarians and apostolic groups in the auditorium of San Jose College, and spent some time with them discussing the pastoral reality of the Vicariate and the major problems to address, such as peace, the refusal of armed conflict, commitment to social justice, development and the fight against poverty. He later met with the civil and military authorities, with the heads of state bodies.
In the homily of the Mass celebrated at noon, the Prefect of the Missionary Congregation stressed that "Guapi is a growing Church", which has to establish the necessary structures and, above all, local clergy, this is why he appealed "to the collaboration of all, including economic and material collaboration". "It is necessary to develop a strong missionary conscience of the local Church. Even in poverty one can face the requirements of the Gospel and of the Church", said the Cardinal. Guapi is a young community, this is why the Cardinal urged to develop family pastoral "urging young people to a Christian life with the principles of the Gospel", so that they give life to authentic Christian families, based on the sacrament of marriage as desired by Jesus Christ, faithful and indissoluble.
"In order for the Word of God to be fulfilled in our lives, after being heard and meditated, it must be lived every day and wherever we are – he continued -. It prevents us from falling into a life contrary to the Christian life, prone to alcohol, drugs, gambling, materialism, and so on". Finally, the Cardinal turned to all pastoral workers, priests, religious and catechists, asking them for special attention towards the poor and the sick. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 24/05/2016)
