杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

On the first day of the US Bishops鈥� two-day Spring General Assembly, Archbishop Cristophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States assured them of 鈥渢he Holy Father鈥檚 closeness, prayers, and gratitude鈥� for their ministry to the flock in the United States.

The art of listening

The Nuncio presented the Bishops the priority of listening. With the Synod on Youth on the horizon, he urged them to listen to young people, as well as to the growing Hispanic/Latino population which will gather for its fifth national Encuentro in September.

Holistic formation

In particular, he asked that they listen to young people who desire 鈥渁 personal, living encounter with Christ rather than a faith reduced to teaching and moralism鈥�. Archbishop Pierre summarized what he heard from a pre-Synod American delegate as a desire for 鈥渉olistic formation鈥�, 鈥渇or a stronger sense of belonging鈥�, 鈥渇or communion with others 鈥� 鈥榗ompanions on the journey鈥�.鈥�

Pre-Synodal document

鈥淭he pre-synodal document may not tell us what we want to hear鈥�, Archbishop Pierre continued. In fact, he notes that critics of the document say it focuses too much on young people鈥檚 鈥渨eak faith鈥� or their 鈥渨ish list鈥� rather than on 鈥渨hat they need鈥�. Instead, the Nuncio told the bishops their point of departure should not be 鈥渁n argument about what they should believe but rather an awareness that the young person must follow a path just as we had to鈥�. Accompanying young people is first achieved by listening, then offering experience and wisdom, 鈥渁ttracting them by our fidelity and the witness of our lives鈥�, he said.

Mediators of the Presence of Christ

Ultimately, Archbishop Pierre told the US Bishops, 鈥渨e must use our authority wisely to mediate the Presence of the One from whom we have our authority鈥�. Spiritual fatherhood consists in helping others discern. That is a process that 鈥渄emands time, effort and patience, but the investment is worth it鈥�, he said.

Hispanic/Latino community

40% of young people in the Church in the United States are Hispanic/Latino. Archbishop Pierre said that at Encuentros meetings he has heard a cry 鈥渇or a Church [that is] more welcoming, more grateful their their many gifts, and even more supportive of them in their situations of fear and hopelessness鈥�.

Attractiveness of Christianity

The Nuncio concluded reflecting on 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� latest Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate. He reminded the US Bishops that Christianity has survived because it is attractive and promises freedom. It is through authenticity of life that others are provoked to a change of life, to new horizons, to seek joy, discover what is beautiful, true and good, and ultimately to 鈥渇ind their meaning in the Triune God, who is forever to be adored".