AMERICA/COSTA RICA - Lenten Message from the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference: The programme of every Christian must be a “heart which ‘sees’ where love is needed and acts accordingly”.

Cartago (Fides Service) - The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Costa Rica, Bishop José Francisco Ulloa Rojas of Cartago addressed a Lenten message to Catholics with the title “Lent, a season for encountering God and other brothers and sisters”. In the message the Bishops says “Lent is a time to contemplate God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son...and at the same time show more concrete concern for those in need", because Lent should help all believers to overcome the barrier of indifference which lies between us and God and other neighbour”.
Bishop Francisco Rojas said that widespread poverty in Costa Rica, is a field of action for Lent. From a recent report on the State of the Nation, it emerges that poverty is spreading and is ever more extreme. Poor people are ever poorer and development is not everywhere the same. It is necessary to promote equal development with adequate policies, to provide adequate health care, housing. The Catholic Bishops of Costa Rica recently called on the government to “undertake measures to promote a society of more justice, freedom and humanity ” (see Fides 27/2/2006). “To build a better world - the Bishop said in his Lenten Message - every individual must strive to do good, everywhere and with passion and genuine concern, independent from party strategies or programmes. The programme of every Christian must be a “heart which ‘sees’ where love is needed and acts accordingly”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/3/2006 - righe 21, parole 312)