AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “We must reawaken interest for Jesus Christ and his Gospel, we must start again from Christ” say participants at 1st Meeting for Church Movements and new Communities in a letter to Pope Benedict XVI

Bogota (Fides Service) - Some 122 leaders of 45 Church Movements and new Communities from 23 different countries in Latin America, 32 bishops, the presidency of CELAM (Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences) and from Rome representatives of the Pontifical Council for the Laity took part in the 1st Meeting for Church Movements and new Communities held 9 to 12 March in Bogota. At the end of the meeting the participants sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI thanking him for his concern and interest in the meeting and the message he sent through Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The participants underlined the importance of the theme, the disciple of Christ “an evident sign that the Church in Latin America is aware of the urgent need to preserve the faith, to hand on the faith, to help faith bear fruit”. “The Catholic faith is the most precious heritage and treasure for our countries - the letter reads -, but it is in danger of being lost or becoming insignificant for the life of many people”...“it is not enough to speak of new evangelisation and not ask who shall do it. We must reawaken interest for Jesus Christ and his Gospel, we must start again from Christ ”.
To respond to the Holy Father’s expectations for Church Movements and new Communities the participants assume three priorities: Christian formation because the “Church must be able to generate and education Christians to respond to the new situation of widespread disorientation”; bold proclamation of the Gospel because “Christian formation must have a strong missionary dimension” and because mission “helps avoid the temptation to close in on one’s self, and protects from the danger to consider one’s Movement a sort of refuge”; special attention for people who suffer from poverty and exclusion: “we will strive to start and support with creativity initiatives and programmes which reveal God’s love for all men and women and prepare the way for charity in the face of the great challenge to promote more justice, solidarity, peace and unity in our countries”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2006 - Righe 26, parole 371)