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ECCLESIA IN AMERICA

ECCLESIA IN AMERICA. Written by Pope John Paul II January 22, 1999. APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION: ECCLESIA IN AMERICA. The exhortation follows up on the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops , which met in the Vatican from 16 November to 12 December 1997 .

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ECCLESIA IN AMERICA

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  1. ECCLESIA IN AMERICA Written by Pope John Paul II January 22, 1999

  2. APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION: ECCLESIA IN AMERICA • The exhortation follows up on the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, which met in the Vatican from 16 November to 12 December1997. • It addresses the Church in the Americas.

  3. COMPOSITION OF DOCUMENT • Introduction, six chapters, conclusion • Introduction recounts genesis of synodal process. • Special Assembly is situated in continuity of 500th Anniversary of Evangelization in America and in the context of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. • The synodal communion is presented as a sign of the unity of the whole continent to which the Church seeks to be of service in opening paths of a new evangelization.

  4. CHAPTER 1: ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIVING JESUS CHRIST-- THE WAY TO CONVERSION, COMMUNION AND SOLIDARITY IN AMERICA • Chapter One refers to the encounter with the Risen Lord. A privileged place is given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. • Pope John Paul II established feast of Our Lady of Gudalupe, Mother and Evangelizer in America be celebrated throughout continent on December 12th.

  5. CHAPTER 2: PRESENT SITUATION IN AMERICA • Christian identity of the whole continent is considered as an expression of the gift of faith. • Attention to setting forth the manifestations of this Christian identity: lives of many saints and blesseds, and popular religious piety. • Other topics mentioned: Eastern Catholic Church’ presence in America, activities of Church in education and social action, respect for human rights, globalization, urbanization, burden of external debt, trade and consumption of drugs, ecology.

  6. CHAPTER 3: CONVERSION • Urgency of the call to conversion and the necessity of giving an integral response. • Conversion is permanent path which Church in Latin America is called to follow through a new way of living centered in a spirituality of prayer committed to the demands of the Gospel. • Penance and reconciliation are highlighted.

  7. CHAPTER 4: DEVELOPS THE SUBJECT OF COMMUNION • Principal means to achieve communion is through the sacraments of Christian initiation. • Special role in the task of building ecclesial communion is assigned to the bishops who are promoters of unity. • Whole Church is challenged to develop in communion: unity of presbyterate, development of pastoral program for vocations and formation of seminarians, participation of laity in the Church, contribution of women, importance of Christian family as the domestic Church, pastoral care of the young, Ecclesial Communities, etc.

  8. CHAPTER 5: DEDICATED TO SOLIDARITY • Pastoral agents exhorted to announce with renewed fervor the Social Doctrine of the Church. • A pastoral priority is given to addressing the complex phenomenon of globalization and its consequences. • Church in America is called to announce that the basis of human rights is the dignity of the person. • Church is challenged to continue to work for the poor • External debt which afflicts many people on the continent of America is treated. • Other important issues which challenge solidarity: corruption, drugs, arms race, culture of death, situation of indigenous peoples and those of African descent, immigration.

  9. CHAPTER 6: TREATS THE CHURCH’S MISSION IN AMERICA TODAY • Defined in the terms of the new evangelization. • The true emerging force of evangelization comes from the encounter with Christ in the Church. • Importance paid to catechesis. • The new evangelization reaches the vast field of culture. • There is an appeal to inculturate the preaching of the Gospel so that it might be announced in the language and the culture of those who receive the message. • Problem of the sects poses a grave obstacle to the evangelization effort. • Pope makes a special apeal to the Church in America to keep herself open to the mission ad gentes, striving to proclaim Christ where he is not known.

  10. CONCLUSION • Words of gratitude and hope are expressed that the Church on the threshold of the Third Millennium maintain serene trust in the Lord of History. • The Holy Father proposes a prayer for families, communities, and ecclesial groups: That all might be united with Jesus Christ, the Way to conversion, communion and solidarity in America.

  11. APARECIDA V LATIN AMERICAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE MAY, 2007

  12. Aparecida: Important reaffirmation of the Latin American Church’s post Vatican II identity • Reaffirmed identity of the Church as a Church which has made a preferential option for the poor. (Medellin, 1968) • The reaffirmation is a new beginning for the Church, conscious of the important changes within Latin America: impact of globalization, continuing disparities between rich and poor, threat of ecological devastation, unfettered economic exploitation, significance of sects

  13. POPE BENEDICT XVI SPEAKS • Touched on a number of themes that are central to the Christian experience in Latin America during the last 40 years He puts his seal of approval on the way of reflecting and living the Gospel since Medellin: • Preferential option for the poor is explicitly confirmed. It is a declaration of the universality of God’s love for all. • This option is not based on sociological or ideological premises. Its ground is faith in Jesus.

  14. THEMES OF BENEDICT’S TALK TO THE BISHOPS AT APARECIDA • Human development: love of God and love of one’s neighbor are joined together. • Populorum Progressio: Authentic development has to be integral. • Globalization: globalization must be governed by ethics. • Social structures: do not arise or function without the moral consent of society regarding fundamental values. • The Eucharist: The encounter with Christ in the Eucharist inspires a commitment to evangelization and the impulse to solidarity.

  15. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE • First order of business: question of methodology—see, judge, and act was approved over theological reflection before assessment of concrete reality. • Reafirmation of Latin American Catholic identity. • Proclamation of continental mission.

  16. IMPORTANT MAJOR THEMES KINGDOM OF GOD, ECOLOGY, ALTERNATIVE TO GLOBALIZATION, GRASS-ROOTS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES, CONTINENTAL MISSION

  17. THE KINGDOM OF GOD • Aparecida reaffirmed the centrality of the Kingdom for true Christian living. • “As disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ so that our peoples attain life in Him, we are called evangelically and in the perspective of the Kingdom to assume the urgent tasks that contribute to the dignity of every human being. • The preferential option for the poor is placed within the perspective of the Kingdom.

  18. ECOLOGY • Ecology was a major concern that emerged from Aparecida. • Rain forests, water, minerals, timber, oil and gas resources are in danger of being destroyed by indiscriminant and unfettered economic exploitation. • Concern was expressed over the growing devastation and contamination of the natural wealth of the continent, especially for those campesino and native populations whose source of livelihood is curtailed and even eliminated by the destruction and contamination of the natural environment of the region.

  19. AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PRESENT FORM OF GLOBALIZATION • The Aparecida document states that the present style of globalization has produced new technologies. • Globalization does not benefit all people, but only a relatively select few. • The bishops call for a globalization of solidarity which works for the common good. • Working for the common global good must promote a just regulation of the world’s economy, financial movements, and commerce. • It is urgent that external debt be cancelled to make investment in the social sector viable. • Regulations must be put into place to prevent and control capital speculation. • Justice in commerce and progressive lowering of protectionist barriers by the powerful must be promoted. • Just prices for raw materials produced by poor countries are needed. • The bishops urged that the Church work with political leaders, the vast majority who are Christian.

  20. GRASS-ROOTS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES • Aparecida approves small groups of men and women, especially among the poor, who gather together on a weekly basis to reflect on the Gospel and its relevance for daily living. • The bishops emphatically reaffirm and promote the life and the prophetic and holy mission of the Ecclesial Base Communities which have been one of the great manifestations of the Spirit in the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean after Vatican II.

  21. CONTINENTAL MISSION • All in the Church are called to be disciples and missionaries. It is necessary therefore to train and educate all the people of God to fulfill this responsibility and daring task. • Jesus invites all to participate in his mission. Nobody should be left idle! Being a missionary is to be a disciple who proclaims Jesus Christ with boldness and creativity in all places where the Gospel has not yet been announced or received, especially in forgotten regions and beyond borders. • The bishops invite all Christians to build communities that are alive, that nurture faith and encourage missionary activity. • They promote the active participation of women in society and in the Church. • Finally they call all Catholic christians to engage in a continental mission “so that all peoples have life in him.”

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