AMERICA/MEXICO - Let us not be discouraged, let us not minimize the signs of hope, the risen Christ walks with us

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - "Although it is impossible to ignore the multiple scenarios, in which there seem to be signs of death everywhere, we cannot fall into pessimistic discouragements that could infect us with fears and limit our hope". This is the appeal launched by the Bishops of Mexico, gathered for their Plenary Assembly. In their message, they list the difficult realities that Mexicans face: violence, criminality, violation of rights, lies, forced migrations, growing poverty and social and ideological polarization. Faced with all this, the Bishops reaffirm their commitment "so that peace replaces violence, rivalry replaces reconciliation and selfishness replaces charity, so that unity prevails over division, truth over lies, justice over impunity and life over death".
The bishops invite not to minimize but to value the signs of hope present in the country, such as "the will to work, the efforts of families to move forward, the growth of so many children and adolescents, everyone's effort to overcome
the devastation of the sanitary emergency". They therefore invite us "to fight with courage and determination", convinced that "the Good Shepherd, who offered his life on the cross to save his sheep, but who lives risen and glorious, always guides and accompanies us".
In this message, the Mexican bishops therefore reaffirm their decision to walk together, and therefore they encourage all brothers and sisters "to move forward with firm and determined steps, united in faith, hope and charity, especially towards the most needy brothers and sisters", especially exercising mercy. "Let us go forward together, guided by the Easter light, as a Church, a pilgrim, proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel, living the synodal spirit and communion", to which the Holy Father Francis continually invites.
"Convinced that Christ walks with us, we invite everyone to fight tirelessly so that the much desired synodality is not just an abstract theory, but a real and effective option in our ecclesial life".
"We need to rediscover the Easter fervor and freshness of the first Christian community" the Bishops further urge, inviting them to pursue the objectives of the Global Pastoral Project, so that the projects of dioceses, parishes and Mexican religious communities take place in harmony and in the same spirit. A final exhortation concerns the commitment to the various peace-building initiatives that the Church, in collaboration with selected civil society organizations, is implementing in various places. Guided by the Holy Spirit, under the maternal gaze of Saint Mary of Guadalupe, let us unite our forces again "to continue to work tirelessly to build the Kingdom of Christ, the Kingdom of truth, life, justice and authentic peace". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 21/4/2023)

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