Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Acapulco (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Mexico’s Southern Pastoral Region have addressed a message to encourage priests, men and women religious, committed lay people, all Catholics and all men and women of good will to "grow stronger in the faith and draw new energy from the Holy Spirit received at Pentecost". The message is signed by Archbishop Felipe Aguirre Franco of Acapulco; Bishop Juan Navarrese Castellanos Auxiliary of Acapulco; Archbishop Rafael Bello Ruíz Emeritus of Acapulco; Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro of Chilpancingo-Chilapa and Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Tlapa; Bishop Salvador Huerta Flores of Cd. Lázaro Cárdenas; Bishop Francisco Javier Chavolla Ramos of Toluca and Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Altamirano.
In their message the Bishops intend to gather fruits of the work of the past three years to give new impulse to catechesis for adults and ongoing formation. The Bishops say this commitment must continue in order to "advance in the process of growth and evangelisation".
The Bishops mention the forthcoming elections and call on all to "seek the common good of the nation" and exercise with responsibility the duty of citizens since "we are all building our history together and we are all responsible for events whether of joy, suffering, sadness and hope". They also mention the question of Mexicans who emigrate to the United States and Canada, in search of a better life saying they understand "these legitimate aspirations for better living conditions”, and stressing that solutions must be found for problems of pastoral care for migrants.
Last of all the Bishops recall the major event for the Church in Latin America, the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences CELAM “a providential Assembly to rediscover how to be disciples of Jesus in the mission of the Church". They recall that "every person who encounters Christ and follows him has the duty to carry on the evangelising work of the Church, helping to build a new society of more justice and brotherhood greatly needed in our countries". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2006; righe 28, parole 361)
