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Pope to Latin American bishops on pastoral
ministry to defend life and the family
March 29, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI sent a message today to the participants in a meeting of the heads of the Bishops’ Commissions for the Family and Life in Latin America and the Caribbean, underway in Bogotá, Colombia.
In his message, the Holy Father says family ministry has a prominent place in the evangelizing action of every local Church.He also discusses the need for social engagement in order to promote the culture of life and defend the rights of families.
He said that the Church cannot be indifferent to the adversity facing many households as a result of rapid cultural changes, social instability, immigration, poverty, and especially so-called “education” programs that trivialize sexuality and advance false ideologies.
“We can not remain indifferent to these challenges,” writes Pope Benedict, adding that Christ's grace encourages us to work diligently and enthusiastically in favour of the plan of love that God has for human beings.
The Pope’s Message goes on to say that every effort is praiseworthy, which promotes the family based on the indissoluble union between a man and a woman, and "helps each such family to carry out its mission of being a living cell of society, the seedbed of virtue, a school of peaceful and constructive coexistence, and a privileged environment in which human life is welcomed joyously and responsibly, and protected from its beginning until its natural end".
Here is a translation of the message from the Holy Father, written in Spanish, to the Latin American bishops meeting in Bogota, Colombia this week, through Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family:
To my venerated brother
Cardinal Ennio Antonelli
President of the Pontifical Council for the Family
I am pleased to greet Your Eminence and the other cardinals, bishops and priests participating in the meeting of bishops responsible for the Episcopal Commissions for the Family and Life in Latin America and the Caribbean, now taking place in Bogotá.
As the Fifth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops reiterated, the family is the most cherished value for the peoples of those noble lands. For this reason, pastoral ministry for families has an outstanding place in the evangelizing activities of each of the local Churches in the area, promoting the culture of life and working so that the rights of families my be recognized and respected.
Nonetheless, it must be noted sadly how homes increasingly suffer adverse situations, provoked by rapid cultural changes, social instability, migratory currents, poverty, educational programs that banalize sexuality, and false ideologies. We cannot be indifferent in the face of these challenges.
In the Gospel, we find the light to respond to them without being discouraged. Christ with his grace urges us to work with diligence and enthusiasm so as to lead each family member to discover the project of love that God has for the human being.
No effort will be useless to promote whatever contributes so that each family, founded on the indissoluble union between a man and a woman, can carry out its mission to be a living cell of society, sower of virtues, school of constructive and peaceful coexistence, instrument of concord, and the privileged environment in which, joyfully and responsibly, human life is welcomed and protected, from its beginning to its natural end.
It is likewise worthwhile to continue motivating parents in their fundamental right and obligation to educate the new generations in the faith and in the values that dignify human existence.
I have no doubt that the continental mission promoted in Aparecida, and which is raising so many hopes everywhere, will serve to give new life to the pastoral ministry for marriage and the family in the beloved nations of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Church counts on Christian homes, calling on them to be the true subject of evangelization and apostolate, and inviting them to be conscious of their valiant mission in the world.
I therefore encourage all the participants in this significant meeting to develop the major pastoral lines drawn by the bishops assembled in Aparecida, with which families may experience a profound encounter with Christ through listening to his Word, prayer, the sacramental life, and the exercise of charity.
In this way, they will help put into practice a solid spirituality that inspires in all family members a decided aspiration for holiness, without fear of demonstrating the beauty of high ideals and the moral and ethical demands of a life in Christ.
In order to promote this, it is necessary to improve the formation of all those who, in some way, are dedicated to the evangelization of families.
Likewise, it is important to find ways of collaboration with all men and women of good will in order to be able to continue intensely protecting human life, marriage and the family in the entire region.
I conclude by expressing my affection and solidarity with all the families of Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly those who are in difficult situations.
As I commend to the powerful protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary the fruits of your praiseworthy initiative, I impart to you from the heart the Apostolic Blessing you wished, which I gladly extend to all who are committed to the evangelization of families and promoting their wellbeing.
From the Vatican
March 28, 2011[/DIM}
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 30/03/2011 03:48] |