Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) – In the spirit of Aparecida and the Pastoral Guidelines for 2008-2012 from the Chilean Bishops' Conference, the Church in Santiago has drawn up a pastoral plan for the coming year, during a meeting held November 3 and 4 at Punta de Tralca. The meeting was presided by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz and was attended by Auxiliary Bishops Cristián Contreras Villarroel, Andrés Arteaga y Fernando Chomali, in addition to all the Vicars, Pastoral Secretaries, and Directors of Departments and Areas.
The reflection was centered on the challenges presented to the Archdiocese of Santiago, by the Final Document of Aparecida and the Pastoral Guidelines for 2008-2012 from the Chilean Bishops' Conference, especially in terms of the Continental Mission.
The day began with a layout of the social-cultural context of Chile, given by Professor Andres Biehl, research professor at the Sociology Institute of the Catholic Pontifical University of Chile. He mentioned that the youth, elderly, and women are the social sectors who have most suffered from the great social and cultural changes that the country has faced in recent years. “The great challenge of the Church is to give meaning to the lives of those who are marginalized in society, especially the youth, elderly, and women of today,” he said.
Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz observed that the great invitation made by Aparecida is to return to the encounter with Christ. “It must be an encounter to be with Him, follow Him, preach Him to those who have fallen away or who do not yet know Him.” He also recalled the need to “nourish our encounter with the Lord with prayer, reflecting on his Word and living it.”
According to the Vicar General of Pastoral Ministry, Fr. Rafael Hernandez, the Church's greatest challenge is to take steps in pastoral renewal, at the light of Aparecida. The Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean speak to us of the missionary dimension as profound change; to lead the entire Church to make a commitment to making Christ known to others, and making them in turn, become missionary disciples. The great challenge is pastoral conversion, the missionary renewal of the Church. This is the main objective and is what the pastoral plan wishes to consider and place in action.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/11/2008)
