Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antequera-Oaxaca (Agenzia Fides) - “Having declared the Archdiocese in a state of mission implies a profound revision and renewal of our lifestyle and our manner of transmitting the faith. It means setting off on a path as Baptized persons, assuming the vocation to be missionaries that Christ entrusted to His Church in a conscience and faithful manner,” said Archbishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Antequera-Oaxaca in a Message to the entire Archdiocese.
The Bishop observes the importance of this mission, as it is evident that right now the Churches are empty and many baptized people have not received Confirmation or First Communion and many are already having their own children, but without having received the Sacrament of Marriage. The transmission of and formation in the faith in the homes is not well taken care of and the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist are not received regularly. Many “live the faith in a private and individualist manner and for many, the Church is just another institution for religious services.”
“Corruption, social irresponsibility, injustice, organized crime, and poverty all show us that as Catholics we should be salt, light, and yeast of authentic lives in our society,” Archbishop Chavez said. Thus, this Mission must not be “simply a strategic shift in an effort to be more efficient; above all, it implies a greater fidelity to Jesus Christ in His Church.”
He then points out the main pillars of the Mission. First of all, there is the centrality of Jesus Christ, the Heart and Backbone of the Mission; Personal and Pastoral Conversion; Basic Formation for All Baptized Persons; Participation of the faithful, “as it is only through well-formed lay members with a clear Christian identity that we can carry out the Church's Mission and respond evangelically to the great challenges of our social and ecclesial reality.” Another important point of the mission is Love for the Most Holy Virgin, as “only with a great love for the Virgin and walking with He, can we lift up the faith and life of Oaxaca.” The Bishop also mentions that with Mary “we can pastorally accompany the piety of the people and enter the hearts of the poor and simple who often show us their hunger for the Word of God, the Sacraments, a truly Christian life, and the pastoral accompaniment of their priests.”
As for the mission areas, the Bishop points out that Catholic homes that are the heart of the faith. In fact, “there is an openness to God, transmission and formation of the faith that is fundamental.” Secondly, there are the neighborhoods and communities, “where the faith can be strengthened...through catechesis, retreats...”
Thirdly, there is the parish, “where “the Christian life is strengthened in a better knowledge and following of Christ, the nourishment from the Word of God and the Sacraments, the adequate formation of the pastoral agents, and by priestly accompaniment.”
Lastly, Archbishop Chavez recalls that “without the action of the Holy Spirit, there are no authentic ecclesial communities, nor faithful witnesses, nor holy priests, nor is there the Church.” Thus, “it is of fundamental importance that we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, letting ourselves by led by Him and calling upon Him often, so He can help us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, facing the challenges with the prudence of the Gospel.” In this sense, the Archdiocese will carry out the Renewal of the Consecration of the Holy Spirit this May 31, Feast of Pentecost in all the Masses. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2009)
