Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City(Agenzia Fides) - Almost a month after the conclusion of 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida, Brazil, the Bishops of Mexico have called on their Catholics to "kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit so as to experience a new encounter with the living Jesus Christ and learn to follow Him as disciples with consistency and dynamism". In a situation of grave sin which generates violence, drug trafficking and corruption, the Bishops' Conference has declared it is in a permanent State of Mission according to the resolutions of the 5th General Conference, to go out in search of those who are far from the Church and assume the challenge of evangelisation while not overlooking social duties because the "Gospel and Charity" and "Gospel and justice" cannot be separated. The Bishops said this at a media conference for the presentation of a statement “Mexico and the Continental Mission".
The Bishops renew their commitment "to help all Catholics deepen their identity as disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ so that the nation may have life in Him " and since the country has promised to live in a state of Mission, they urge the people to participate in this endeavour as individuals, parishes and dioceses. "Since we returned from CELAM 5 - the Bishops say - we have been discussing initiatives to give impulse to a Continental Mission to seek out those who are far from the Church assuming the challenge to evangelise more deeply all the baptised".
They underline the need for "all Mexicans to work together to strengthen the institutions and consolidate formation of governments willing to dialogue and accept proposals presented by other political parties as a demonstration of maturity and growth in democracy". The Bishops then speak of the urgent need to consolidate social harmony because when the latter deteriorates it "causes great suffering for all but more especially for the poorest of our people”.
Among serious social sins which lead to violence, breaking community peace and harmony, the bishops mention drug trafficking, corruption, violence which threatens the greater part of the people. The Bishops say these sins are signs of "a serious crisis due to the loss of the sense of God and the moral principles which should guide the life of every person".
They appeal to Catholics to “preserve the joy of evangelisation even when it is necessary to sow with tears and to burn with ardent love which nothing can extinguish”. “Let us find again the value and boldness of the apostles to defend the life of the men and women of Mexico from the moment of conception to natural end without relativism" the statement concludes.
Bishop Rogelio Cabrera López of the diocese of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, said the mission aims to “touch the hearts of the people, fortify unity and communion in the Church, not overlooking social duties towards the people of Latin America facing very difficult situations due to dire poverty". Bishop Navarro Rodríguez of Zamora, said “the Mission will unite the continent in efforts to preach the Gospel of life and justice; the poor will be given priority, the poor in the economic sense and also the poor because of exclusion”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2007; righe 40, parole 561)
