Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - “We thank God for giving his Church in Latin America, especially in Colombia, a living and centenary presence of Religious Life " the Catholic Bishops of Colombia said in a message at the end of their plenary assembly held 2-6 July during which they and representatives of superiors of religious institutes reflected on Religious Life as God's gift to His Church. The bishops and religious sought to respond to the question: What does the Lord expect of us? What is He asking for? How can we respond together?
The Bishops recall that it was mainly thanks to religious that Columbia was evangelised. "The history of the Church in Colombia - the message says - shows how men and women religious in our country sought to build up the Church aware that unity is a fundamental sign for men and women of all times to know and love the person of Jesus as the one sent by the Father, that the world may believe (cfr. Gv. 17, 21)”. Reflecting on these themes the participants agreed that both bishops and religious are called to "demonstrate in a radical form with a way of life proper to those who have had an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ which leads one to opt for holiness", holiness “identified with the way of being”.
"Discipleship and mission will always be the basis of integral evangelising activity in which bishops and religious have a space in which to intensify their unity in its full dimension" the Bishops say. However unity does not mean uniformity, which would impoverish the Church, robbing her of the riches of the multiple diversity of Religious Life. Indeed each religious institute with its own form of life "enriches the Church as long at it has in its spirit constant commitment for unity". On the journey of communion the Bishops propose to find through dialogue solutions to normal difficulties which arise." Bishops and religious united as Church have the unavoidable duty to be witnesses of God's loving mercy. To impair unity is to impair the vocation to be disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ ”.
At the end of the message the Bishops thank all religious men and women for their generous efforts to spread the Gospel, their effective apostolate, their life as disciples and missionaries in community. They especially thank "religious communities in mission in places of conflict and among the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters” encouraging them to continue to work in full communion with the particular Churches, “to educate to peace". One last word of gratitude is expressed to enclosed religious who dedicate themselves to contemplation for their "radical loyalty to the Gospel". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/7/2007; righe 32, parole 464)
