Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Villarrica (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops' Conference of Chile will be celebrating its 97th Plenary Assembly this April 20-24 in the “San Fidel” Major Seminary in the Diocese of Villarrica.
On Sunday, April 19, at 5:30pm, in the Cathedral of Villarrica, Monsignor Francisco Javier Stegmeir Schmidlin, Bishop-elect of Villarrica, will be ordained a bishop. The ordination will be attended by the 33 Bishops of Chile, along with the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto. The following day, the Bishops will begin their 97th Plenary Assembly which, in light of the ordination, will take place at the Major Seminary of the Diocese of Villarrica.
During the week-long session, the pastors will reflect on the fruits of the Ad limina visit that took place this past November and the challenges that have arisen as a result of the message conveyed by Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of Chile on that occasion. This reflection is situated, as well, within the context of the process of the Continental Mission, which has been a focus for the Church in Latin America following the 5th Conference in Aparecida, and that will especially be applied in the Pastoral Guidelines 2008-2012 in Chile.
The Bishops will also discuss the Church's perspective and what pastoral action should be carried out in regard to the important environmental challenges facing the country. Guided by the Church's Magisterium on these matters, the Bishops will review the reports that have been prepared by various groups and commissions on the issue. In their meetings, the Bishops will also address, as is tradition, the situation of the Church and the nation, as well as specific areas such as Sacramental pastoral activity and pastoral work with those suffering from addictions. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2009)
