Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of the region of Patagonia-Comahue (the Dioceses of Alto Valle, Comodoro Rivadavia, Neuquén, Río Gallegos, San Carlos de Bariloche, and Viedma) have written a Christmas Message to all the faithful, reminding them of the hymn often heard in these days: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of goodwill,” which is “a hymn of life that awakens us and launches us as missionaries, witnesses, and bearers of life, of true life, life as God's children” and that should lead us to “discover our responsibility in terms of peace and fullness of life for all, as fruits of being loved by Him.”
However, the Bishops affirm, there are many children and adolescents, adults and elderly persons, whose lives “seem to be an enormous overwhelming burden,” many times caused by a “great lack of love,” because they think that “they are only worth their 'utility' in terms of others' well-being, and that their lives have no meaning in and of themselves.” Thus, the Bishops of Patagonia say that it will be truly a Christian Christmas, “if the child that suffers from hunger and at times is submitted to harsh treatment finds a family willing to care for him...if the youth wounded from violence, addictions, sexual abuse, or marginalization finds a community that offers him a change of life...if every person whose life is threatened finds 'a neighbor' that with concrete signs leads him to discover the value of his life.”
The Message continues: “Christmas means saying 'no' to indifference...'no' to only worrying about one's own welfare without being aware of the urgent needs of others, 'no' to a passive attitude on many urgent challenges.”
The second point that the Prelates focus on, is that of peace to all men, recalling the Message for Peace 2009 by the Holy Father. “Looking at Christ, who this Christmas offers the world the gift of peace, we must take up our commitment to fight poverty.” It is a poverty that “many suffer on a daily basis” and that “we cannot ignore as our own responsibility.” Thus, this Christmas, “our encounter with Christ who brings us peace cannot allow us to abandon the path of our commitment to fight poverty.”
Lastly, they recall the great celebration of this December 22, in thanksgiving to God for the gift of peace in Argentina and Chile, thanks to papal mediation. “Celebrating this important event in our history should lead us to renew our option for dialogue, as the only way to peace.” “There are many wounds from the past and others more recent that need to be healed. Time alone is not enough to heal them.” The path to their healing “is the encounter that demands mutual respect, and that implies knowing how to forgive. It is an encounter that takes concrete form in a sincere dialogue and is a quest for the common good, renouncing to miserly personal interests...opting for fullness of life for all people.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2008)
