Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “I know well of the difficult circumstances affecting the faithful and citizens of your country, which at the current time seem to be becoming even more marked. These certainly cause concern and call for the special pastoral solicitude of the entire Church, which has closely followed Bolivians through difficult situations with the single intention of keeping hope alive, reviving faith, fomenting unity, exhorting reconciliation and safeguarding peace.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI in addressing the Bishops of Bolivia, received in audience during there Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, on November 10.
The Holy Father later made reference to the many challenges that arise among the Bishops' tasks, “because the faith sown in Bolivian soil always needs to be nourished and fortified, especially when signs emerge of a certain weakness in Christian life, which can be caused by factors of various origins, by incoherence between professed faith and the conduct of personal and social life, or by a superficial formation which leaves the baptized exposed to the influence of dazzling but empty promises.”
A “powerful instrument” in meeting to these challenges is the popular devotion, which the Pope defined as “a valuable treasure accumulated over the centuries thanks to the work of intrepid missionaries, and upheld with great faithfulness by generations of Bolivian families.” It is a gift which certainly has to be safeguarded and promoted today, and that “requires a constant effort so that its significance may penetrate into the depths of people's hearts, remain illuminated by the Word of God, and transform itself into firm convictions of faith, consolidated by the Sacraments and by faithfulness to moral values."
In order to cultivate a mature faith, lived in a joyful and responsible manner, “systematic, widespread and incisive catechesis is needed, catechesis that teaches the Catholic faith clearly and completely. This Year of St. Paul that we are celebrating, is a special occasion to imitate the apostolic and missionary vigor of this great Apostle, who never retreated when it came time to announce God's plan in all its integrity, as he tells the Pastors of Mileto. A partial or incomplete teaching of the Gospel message does not correspond with the Church's mission and it does not bear fruit.” Quality general education, which includes the spiritual and religious dimension of the person, also helps to lay firm foundations for the development of the faith. Thus, it is important that Bishops place special attention in looking after the many educational institutions, “so as to maintain respect for their particular identity.” The Holy Father later expressed his gratitude for the Bishops' effort “ to offer seminarians a solid human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation, ensuring them the attentions of priests able to accompany them in their vocational discernment and to guarantee their suitability and competency.” The Pope also recalled the need to guarantee permanent formation for the clergy and other pastoral agents, “in order to nourish their spiritual life and to ensure their work does not become routine or superficial.”
Referring to all that was brought to light in the recent Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Holy Father encouraged them in their homilies, catechesis, and celebrations, to make “faithful proclamation, listening, and meditation on Scripture the first priority, as it is where the People of God find the meaning of their existence, their vocation and identity. Docile listening to the divine Word gives rise to love for others and, in turn, disinterested service to mankind. This is something that occupies a very important position in pastoral activity in Bolivia, in the face of the poverty, marginalization and helplessness of a large part of the population." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2008)
