AMERICA/MEXICO - Bishops: “Nothing must distract us from the essential task of education. Peace is possible. Educating to build it is a priority"

Monday, 29 August 2022 episcopal conferences   school   social situation  

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - At the beginning of the new school year 2022-2023, the Mexican Bishops, in a common message, address teachers, parents, students and society in general, and therefore all those involved in education, "with appreciation and respect and recall that there is no activity more important and humane than accompanying each person individually, ecologically and socially in the development of their physical and mental capacities (intelligence, will, affection, memory, imagination, ability to synthesize) in order to create a fraternal, supportive and responsible civilization".
In the "complex situation" in which the country finds itself, the bishops point out the need to respect some fundamental points in pedagogical action. Quoting Pope Francis, they urge people to
to follow his appeal and conclude in each community so-called educational pacts "aimed at strengthening the essential bonds between leaders, teachers, parents and students with the warm thread of solidarity, of caring and to weave creativity". In view of the general crisis, this should help to find new paths in relations.
"Globalization and the effects of the pandemic are challenging us to reorient our lives by focusing on freedom, justice, truth and love", the bishops warn. This should "not cloud our horizons, but we should focus our passion and desire on concrete, solidarity-based and achievable projects. Evil can only be overcome with good. Fire cannot be put out with fire".
The bishops therefore stress the urgent need to revitalize education "with faith, hope and charity in daily striving for serene and effective change that will overcome the tide of a culture of death, abuse, corruption, incompetence, as well as the environmental and social degradation, present in many areas of our Mexico. Peace is a gift and a duty. Peace is possible. Educating for construction is a priority," the bishops said.
Referring to the encyclical "Fratelli Tutti" and its exhortation to live the teachings of the parable of the Good Samaritan in society, the message invites us to heal, heal, take on the painful situations of our brothers, especially the youngest. "Children and young people ask us in a thousand different ways for our care and accompaniment," the bishops emphasize. "Nothing should distract us from the essential task of education, which is to transmit to the new generations the breath of life and to nurture it with full respect for their dignity, freedom of thought, conscience and integrity".
The Bishops reiterate the urgency to listen and engage with young people, especially those who have dropped out of school, and warn: "No political, economic, ideological or social project should see education as a booty or a tool for power.
Education is an act of love, of generosity, of gratuitousness". They therefore call on the government and society to work together and with the greatest possible social participation in shaping education and training in the country.
At the end of the message, they urge teachers to contribute "today more than ever with patience, generosity and talent"; the parents to get involved in the school; the authorities, entrepreneurs, social and political leaders, "to reinvigorate paths of dialogue, peacemaking and human, integral, solidarity-based and sustainable development in every educational space". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 29/8/2022)


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