AMERICA/CANADA - The Director of the PMS in French-speaking Canada: "Pope Francis, pilgrim of reconciliation"

Saturday, 30 July 2022 pontifical mission societies   pope francis   evangelization   reconciliation   peace  

Montréal (Agenzia Fides) - "Walking with Pope Francis and all our indigenous brothers and sisters made us experience, day after day of the papal visit, how this mission of reconciliation is carried out. The still acute wounds of the past of European colonialism can finally find some balm. The Pope said at the very beginning that it is Jesus who reconciles us, unites us to form one people!". This is how Father Yoland Ouellet, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of French-speaking Canada, comments to Fides the days of the papal trip to Canada.
"In the face of the errors of the past, Pope Francis repeated his humble and penitent request for forgiveness, and he recalled that love is unconditional, it never imposes itself, it does not suffocate, it does not deprive the other of its inner freedom - continues the Director of the PMS in French-speaking Canada -. Faced with the shadows and lights of the mystery of life, he posed the right question for our future: what society do we want to build now, what fraternity, what peace, what home on earth for the entire human family? Furthermore, he asked what is everyone ready to do for his family, his church, his society, his world. He calls everyone to be architects of a new history, it is up to us to plant new seeds, to bear new fruits. Each with a unique role in history".
From the Holy Father's pilgrimage to Canadian land, therefore, the challenge for the future opens: "In Canada the time has come to continue the mission of Christ Jesus together, reconciled and united. All of our local churches are training missionary disciples for today and tomorrow. They learn, observing Pope Francis, compassionate listening, truth, justice, forgiveness, healing and peace - concludes Father Ouellet -.
We continue to observe this pilgrim who teaches us, in short, to walk together. A native said these days that by walking together, there is no path in the beginning, but we will trace it together… walking. Thus is renewed the appeal of him who said: Walk, follow me. Another native, at the end of the celebration in Edmonton, sang the national anthem in his language: O Canada, with tears and pain, like a cry from the heart. This is how we continue the mission together". (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2022)


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