AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Assembly of Bishops: "courage and unity" to face today's complex and conflictual situations

Tuesday, 6 November 2018 episcopal conferences social situation politics abortion youth pope francis

cea

ARGENTINA

2024-03-23
A "missionary tent" in Plaza de Mayo to commemorate Father Mugica and all the witnesses killed during the years of the military dictatorship

2024-03-11
"Accepting life as it comes". The "Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo" network celebrates at the Shrine of Luján

2023-12-15
Pironio and Romero: friends also in Paradise

2023-06-15
Argentina is one of the largest lithium producers in the world: the intensive mining poses risks for the country's sensitive ecosystem

2023-04-27
"We continue to trust in the democratic path" exhort the Bishops, who announce a mission among the most abandoned

2023-03-17
The deepening wounds of drug trafficking and the chronic lack of responses

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - The 116th Plenary Assembly of the Argentinian Episcopate (CEA) is taking place, from November 5th to 9th in Pilar. As usual, there will be space in the work program to inform and discuss the reality and pastoral care of each diocese, therefore every CEA Commission will have the opportunity to express their views and finally some important issues that involves the Church in this country will be addressed. According to the statement sent to Agenzia Fides, the 93 convoked bishops, plus the invited guests (43 emeritus), will have to discuss in particular the situation of the country, which has undergone major changes in the last year.
As pointed out by the President of CEA, Mgr. Oscar V. Ojea, Bishop of San Isidro, during the opening Mass celebrated last night at 7.30 pm, it has been "an extremely difficult year". Many events over the last few months represent great pastoral challenges that must be illuminated by the light of the Gospel". The President of the CEA listed some "complex and conflicting situations": the debate on abortion and its impact on many of our young people, including schools and communities; the phenomenon of apostasy; abuse; attacks against the Holy Father from within and outside the Church, "in an unprecedented manner".
Mgr. Ojea then went on to say: "All of this is experienced in the context of a social and economic crisis affecting the entire Argentine people, which resulted from mistrust in political leadership, increasing social tension, anger and intolerance, that make coexistence very difficult".
The President of the Episcopal Conference therefore suggests a serious reflection, as a Christian who listens to the Word of Jesus.
Mgr. Ojea pointed out that in the current situation we must have courage: "We need courage, the courage of Jesus. Courage to face changes". He concluded by calling the Episcopate to unity: "We must be vigil and support each other, not for our honor, but for the holy faithful people of God, who very often is confused and demoralized by the messages it receives. Now more than ever we must watch over and defend the unity of our episcopate, trying to present our agreements and disagreements, not allowing the evil spirit to divide us, it is a moment of sincere, profound and courageous dialogue between us, dialogue that enriches us and fosters our unity". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 06/11/2018)