杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

Meeting for its thirty-eighth General Assembly, the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) has approved with an overwhelming majority its organizational restructuring guidelines, which are expected to make its services more effective for the People of God in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The renewal process started in 2019 involving CELAM鈥檚 22 member Episcopal Conferences with the aim of making the Church in the region more missionary, synodal and outgoing, as indicated by 杏MAP导航 Francis.  To this end, the Assembly, which was held online from May 18 to May 21, ratified nine reorganization and renewal principles. These include synodality, collegiality, integral conversion, being a prophetic voice, having an integral vision, effectiveness, networking, promoting decentralization, welcoming and contributing to the Magisterium of the Church.

A two-year process

At the end of the Assembly, the bishops addressed a  in which they present 鈥渢he new pastoral structure" of the body, saying it is the result of a 鈥渢remendous work鈥� carried out over the past two years.

Listening to the cry of the Earth and of the poor 

Noting that Latin-American bishops are fully aware of the great social inequalities the continent is experiencing, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CELAM reaffirms its commitment to "collegial and synodal discernment鈥� through listening to the Holy Spirit's inspiration which is present in the 鈥渃ry of the People of God鈥�.

"As Shepherds of the People of God we want to listen both to the cry of the Earth and of the poor, knowing that everything is connected, and to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, with the hope that we can overcome this crisis together and better鈥�, reads the letter, echoing 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 words that 鈥渨e are all in the same boat and no one is saved alone鈥�.

Synodality as a way to overcome differences 

The message further remarks that, although they feel 鈥渙verwhelmed" by the many challenges they are confronted with, Latin American and Caribbean bishops confide in God 鈥渨ho always surprises, renews, strengthens and inspires pastoral creativity the Church鈥�. With this in mind, the prelates express their desire to follow "the logic of overflowing", recalled by the , in which 杏MAP导航 Francis stresses that 鈥渁uthentic solutions to problems鈥� are found 鈥渂y transcending the contraposition that limits our vision and recognizing a greater gift that God is offering鈥� (QA 105)

Indeed, it is the 鈥渙verflow鈥� of the Holy Spirit that allows overcoming in a creative manner conflicts and fierce contraposition and 杏MAP导航 Francis has encouraged this same overflow 鈥渂y the reviving the ancient practice of synodality鈥�, the message points out.

Full support to the  first Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean

The prelates also confirm CELAM鈥檚 active support to the first Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean, scheduled in November this year in Mexico City on the theme 鈥淲e are all outgoing missionary disciples鈥�. During this important event involving, for the first time, the entire People of God, participants will examine, reflect on and strengthen the outcome of the Fifth Episcopal Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, of 2007, also known as the 鈥淐onference of Aparecida鈥�.

鈥淲e have engaged in this process so it may serve as an apprenticeship of the practice of synodality that should be the mode and style of our ecclesial life in the present and future鈥�, the letter states.

The four prophetic 鈥渄reams鈥� for the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean  

Recalling the four prophetic 鈥渄reams鈥� - "social, cultural, ecological and ecclesial鈥� - proposed by 杏MAP导航 Francis in 鈥淨uerida Amazonia鈥�, CELAM expresses the wish for a Church that 鈥渆ncourages the continent to fight for the rights of the poorest and for a more just society鈥�; 鈥減reserves its cultural heritage in an intercultural dialogue鈥�; "safeguards its natural beauty and the value of life" and for a Church in which Christian communities are able 鈥済ive clear witness to the Risen Lord鈥� while preserving its 鈥淟atin American and Caribbean face鈥�.

Gratitude to 杏MAP导航 Francis  

Finally, the prelates express their gratitude to 杏MAP导航 Francis for his witness and words, which - they say - have 鈥渆nlightened us in a special way in this time of pandemic鈥�.

CELAM

The Latin American Episcopal Council was established in 1955 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a body of communion and cooperation supporting Bishops鈥� Conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based in Bogotá (Colombia), after the Second Vatican Council (1962鈥�65) it has extended its scope.  CELAM meets every four years for its Ordinary Assembly in which the presidents of the 22 member Bishops鈥� Conferences outline its pastoral guidelines and elect its directive bodies. Periodically it also holds general conferences on major issues, the first of which was held in 1968 in Medellin, Colombia.  The last one was the Aparecida Conference in which then-Archbishop Bergoglio played a central role.