Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Fides Service) - At the end of its 91st plenary assembly the Chilean Bishops Conference issued a message with the title “New Life in Christ” in which they dwell on four priorities to take into consideration for the development of the country: commitment for authentic integral humanism; situation in the world of agriculture; the challenge of the indigenous peoples; building a country of peace and justice. Analysis of different aspects of the situation in Chile inspired reflections on “New Life in Christ”, theme of the assembly.
“With Pope Benedict XVI - the Bishops say - we reaffirm three principles indispensable for authentic human and social progress: protection of human life from conception to natural death; recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman; protection of parent’s rights to educate their children”, principles which are “inscribed in human nature and are common to all humanity”.
With regard to the situation of agriculture the Bishops say despite changes which have brought much improvement some problems remain “young people still tend to move to cities in search of better prospects; crops are abandoned, families move and separate and lose their ability to educate and hand on the faith, small farmers are ever weaker, deeper in debt, excessive concentration of land ownership". The Bishops stress the need to “promote sustainable rural development while not losing sight of cultural and Christian roots, basic elements of the national identity”.
Underlining the importance of indigenous people and the need to promote their rights, the Bishops say initiatives of public security must be widely debated. “Although very complex the challenges of history they can never be greater than the good we are called to do or overshadow the beauty of life " the Bishops conclude. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2006; righe 27, parole 351)
