ASIA/MYANMAR - “Abide in me”: Vision and Mission statement of the Church in Myanmar on the occasion of 1st National Pastoral Assembly

Wednesday, 30 November 2005

Yangon (Fides) - In a message at the end of the 1st National Pastoral Assembly of the Catholic Church in Myanmar the Bishops say the way forward is to be ‘Church as Communion through Reconciliation’ a people of the Eucharist, and to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peace and proclaim the good news of God’s love for every man and woman. The message “Abide in me” (Jn 15,4), dated 27 November and addressed to the people of God in Myanmar, included a ‘Vision and Mission statement of the Church in Myanmar’.
In the message the Bishops say: “At the dawn of the new millennium, as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Local Catholic Church in Myanmar, we raise our voices to the Lord with gratitude and joy in our hearts”.
The Bishops write: “This moment of grace was also for the Church in Myanmar a time to listen to the call of the Lord and to respond anew. The Spirit of the Lord was calling us to a New Pentecost; the same Spirit that guided the Second Vatican Council 40 years ago to bring renewal to the Universal Church.”.
“As one Church made up of diverse ethnic groups, cultures and languages, we find the source of our unity in our Trinitarian Faith, in the Word of God and the Eucharist. (…)We are called to become a Eucharistic People, a sign and instrument of God’s saving grace in Myanmar.”, say the Bishops and remark that “to be Church today requires every baptised to be involved in the Evangelising Mission of our Church”.
The statement also mentions pastoral priorities: communion with Jesus though more frequent prayer and meditation on the Word of God; Communion with one another, promoting a spirituality of dialogue among bishops, clergy, religious and laity; reconciliation of peoples, cultures and religions: dialogue with other beliefs, cultures, and churches, to promote peace; reconciliation with humanity and creation.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2005 Righe: 28 Parole: 289)


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