Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Fides Service) - Archbishop Héctor Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, OFM, of Trujillo pesident of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference said a press conference in view of the imminent opening of CELAM 5 "in continuity with the four previous gatherings, this Conference is called to give new impulse to evangelisation in this vast eminently Catholic region of the world. It is necessary to proclaim anew the integral message of Salvation that it may take deep root in the cultures and be incarnated in the present history of Latin America and the Caribbean and meet the necessities and legitimate expectations".
The Archbishop said "the Catholic tradition is the fundamental heritage of our countries, the distinguishing mark; a gift we have received, to be loved and treasured", and the Church here must ask herself where she has failed and what she must do to deepen their faith her baptised members". The situation calls us to d "undertake new missions to find the lost members of our Mother Church and continue to announce the Gospel of Christ with the zeal of the Apostles and of the saints and missionaries of America who offered their lives for evangelisation. We cannot wait until they come to us ".
Archbishop Cabrejos Vidarte spoke of problems in Latin America "which challenge us Christians", abuse, injustice, corruption, violence, drug trafficking, unemployment, slowing economy, deterioration of education and the family, lack of democratic representation. Moreover the enormous gap between rich and poor still exists. Therefore "preference for the poor is indispensable on our continent. The poor need our solidarity, our concern our help to tackle day to day problems". The president of the Bishops' Conference concluded by stressing the importance of Family Pastoral which he said is "crucial for the future of Latin America and the whole of humanity". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2007; righe 26, parole 348)
