2023-06-23 22:45:00
June 23, 2023 / 3:45 p.m.
In a message addressed to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (CAL), Pope Francis highlighted the importance of this institution for the Church and invited it to a “new imagination of charity”, beyond administrative efficiency.
“The recent promulgation of the apostolic constitution Preach the Gospel it implies a process of missionary and synodal conversion of all of us who work in the government of the universal Church.” noted this June 23 on the occasion of a meeting in the Vatican with institutions and organizations that help the Church in Latin America.
The Holy Father stressed that the reforms in the Church must transcend the “merely administrative or procedural” and “require a change of life that can clearly show the genuine face of Jesus Christ.”
In this sense, he highlighted the provisions of the Constitution Preach the Gospelwhich seeks to “better harmonize the service of the Curia with the path of evangelization” that the Church is experiencing.
In this context, Pope Francis expressed his desire that CAL, chaired by Mons. Robert Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, continue and mature “in the general context of renewal of the Curia and of the Church in general.” .
At present, he explained, this institution’s mission is to deal “with the study of issues that refer to the life and development” of the particular Churches of Latin America and as a bridge between “international and national ecclesiastical institutions, which work for the regions of Latin America, and the curial institutions”.
In this sense, Pope Francis expressed that CAL plays a crucial role in advising and supporting departments interested in Latin American affairs.
In the case of a meeting of institutions and organizations that help the Church in Latin America, the Holy Father also stressed the importance of a “new imagination of charity.”
Beyond administrative efficiency and humanitarian effort, the Pope urged “to rediscover every day, with astonishment and gratitude, that the Christian faith is the certainty of the friendship of a God” who precedes us.
“The truly original aspect of our help is the charity of Jesus Christ that urges us, it is that love that precedes us and invites us to confess God the Father, the beginning of all good; to Jesus Christ, our Brother, who has redeemed us; to the Holy Spirit who guides the Church, creates communion and guides humanity towards the fullness of him”, he explained.
“If the ‘essential Christian’ is not present, all that remains is cold pragmatism that ends up suffocating ecclesial institutions and their members,” he added.
Pope Francis recognized that solidarity is needed to help Latin America “evangelize the geographical and existential peripheries,” as well as “meet the needs of the poorest and most excluded.”
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However, he warned against “voluntaristic and Pelagian temptations”, urging that all aid be made from an authentic Christian key.
Finally, he invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, and encouraged those present to dream of new forms of presence, service and charitable action in tune with the Christian message.
With this message, Pope Francis reaffirmed his commitment to Latin America and highlighted the importance of the work of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in promoting evangelization and solidarity in the region.
Diego López Marina is a communicator and journalist by profession. He has been part of ACI Prensa since 2016 and currently works as one of the agency’s web editors.
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