Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago del Chile (Agenzia Fides) - “Starting from Jesus Christ and his Revelation we attempted to see how the Spirit is calling us to be present in this culturally new America, and identify from a point of view of ecclesiology of communion and participation the important tasks awaiting the Church” said Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati of Concepcion at one of the final preparatory meetings in Bogota for the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences, CELAM to pinpoint and arrange the different contributions of the individual Bishops’ Conferences. The meeting was attended by 3 Chilean bishops, 4 priests, one woman religious and one lay woman. After examination and approval by CELAM 5 presidency the document will be sent to the Bishop delegates who will be taking part in the General Conference in Brazil in May.
Archbishop Ezzati said "the theme chosen by the Pope is of vital importance for Latin America at an historical cross roads with many changes which touch the very roots of human life, opinions, judgements and social points of reference; a culture which has maintained its Christian roots but in this era of globalisation is agitated and confused by so much change. The Church is called to announce Jesus Christ to real people immersed in the history and culture of today". In this context the Archbishop said "the fundamental task of the Church is to be a disciple of Lord in this new culture. Christians must live up to their original calling in this epoch and amidst its cultural currents”.
The first task of the Church is to "announce Jesus Christ in this context that His life and His teaching may penetrate the life of every individual and society as a whole". Archbishop Ezzati underlined "Today we can no longer be Christians by tradition we must be Christians by choice". In view of CELAM 5 Archbishop Ezzati urged all Catholics to welcome the call and grace to be "disciples and missionaries that the peoples of Latin America may have abundant life in Christ " recalling that Jesus Christ is the way.
In a message to the Catholics of Brazil, the secretary of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Odilo Pedro Scherer, said that the Pope’s first apostolic journey outside of Europe underlines the fact that CELAM 5 is “ a Latin American event of utmost importance" and he added that the Pope’s presence "will underline the importance of the ecclesial gathering". The participants “as disciples and missionaries will take a look at the new challenges facing the evangelising mission of the Church in order to hear the voice of God in the voice of the times ". Archbishop Scherer recalled that the General Conference "will not discuss dogmatic questions, it will be entirely missionary and pastoral ", and that Aparecida was expected to produce guidelines for the future activity of the Church in Latin America.
"More than a privilege for our country, the Pope’s visit and the General Conference represent a special task and responsibility for Brazil". With highest number of Catholics “Brazil is called more significantly to the mission of the Church on the continent and in the world” the Archbishop concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2007; righe 34, parole 430)
