Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Acapulco (Agenzia Fides) - In a recent pastoral statement while lamenting a "situation of violence and bloodshed in the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, with murders, kidnapping, acts of retaliation, drug trafficking and in general a constant violent eruption of organised crime" the Catholic Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Acapulco, dioceses of Acapulco, Chilpancingo-Chilapa, Tlapa, Città Altamirano, express the hope that 2007 may be a year of hope.
The Bishops warn that this situation will not be improved only by “increasing security operations and personnel although this is necessary... it calls for action involving all the institutions and society to tackle the problems at the roots". The Bishops express concern for pressure in Guerrero and Michoacán states to pass laws legalising abortion, euthanasia and irregular unions: these are elements of a culture of death which destroy the most sacred values of life and the family based on marriage of a man and a woman, the Bishops say.
The Bishops express the hope that with the new government installed on 1 December and the new president Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, Mexico may make progress in fields such as education, security, and eradicating poverty and social injustice....underlining that the dioceses of the Province are helping in this endeavour with pastoral care to foster respect for human values and help the people Acapulco Province be true ‘disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ’.
Referring to the 5th General Conference of CELAM, the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences, in May in Brazil, the Bishops conclude by saying "In this third millennium the Lord offers us an opportunity to renew our efforts so that evangelisation may be ‘Good News’ for the millions of people living in this part of the world. In view of the different situations on the continent, the Conference will strive to identify pastoral lines for every diocese to follow in what is foreseen as a Great Mission. We must listen to the voices of our Bishops and discern concrete ways to put the indications into practice in our Ecclesiastical Province ". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/1/2007; righe 28, parole 397)
