AMERICA/ARGENTINA - 200th anniversary of the Church in Salta: “celebrating the faithfulness of God in the 200 years of our existence as a diocesan Church”

Salta (Fides Service) - The archdiocese of Salta is celebrating 200 years since its founding on 28 March 1806 by Pope Pius VII with the Bull Regalium Principum. To mark the event Bishop Mario Antonio Cargnello, declared a bi-centenary year from 28 March 2006 to 28 March 2007 to “celebrate the faithfulness of God in the 200 years of our existence as a diocesan Church contemplating the face of Christ in the Lord of the Miracle, being ready as his disciples to live the Gospel at the school of Mary of the Miracle”. More in detail the objectives of the pastoral plan 2006 include: to thank the Lord for the history of the local Church, its apostolic, institutional and missionary fruitfulness; assess the pastoral progress of the archdiocese in view of the elaboration of a new five year pastoral plan; encourage more active participation on the part of the laity in the Church, and in social and political life.
Among various centenary activities announced a Youth Rally 19 - 21 August on the theme "Jesus come and send us, we stand for life"; Marian Conference in September; Family Week 9 - 15 October and First Days of Church History 12 - 14 October; publication of documentation of historical and documentary antecedents of the creation of the diocese and appointment of the first Bishop of Salta, Mgr. Nicolás Videla del Pino. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/5/2006; righe 19, parole 265)