Card. Parolin urges US Bishops to work for a more just
and inclusive society
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Pietro Parolin has
urged US Bishops to continue their prophetic witness in the
face of the challenges facing the nation.
The Vatican Secretary of State’s words came as he travelled
to the United States to join celebrations for the 100th anniversary of
their episcopal conference and for the opening of their plenary
assembly.
To the Bishops gathered for Mass on Sunday at the Basilica
of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in
Baltimore, Cardinal Pietro Parolin reflected on the liturgical reading of the
day and said “May the fire of God's love inspire you as a body to make wise
decisions free of all partisan spirit.”
This year’s plenary marks the centenary of the US Conference
of Catholic Bishops that was founded in 1917 as the National Catholic War
Council.
The conference, Parolin said, “originated in a Spirit-filled
and wise response to the human suffering and displacement of the First World
War.”
He noted that it is rooted in the care of American bishops
for those who were “forced from their homes and came to the new world in search
of security and a new life”.
Parolin recalled this history as, he said, “the Church in
the US seeks to provide healing, comfort, and hope to new waves of migrants and
refugees.”
He urged the bishops to provide a prophetic witness and “to
be a source of wisdom and strength” and he praised the charitable institutions
of the American Church.
The Cardinal also looked forward to a series of meetings
which are being held to assess and improve Hispanic ministry in the US noting
that it is a way to “foster that heightened sense of missionary discipleship
which Pope Francis considers the heart of the new evangelization.”
“In the century prior to the founding of your conference,
the challenge facing the Church in this country was to foster communion in an
immigrant Church to integrate the diversity of peoples, languages, and cultures
in the one faith, and to inculcate a sense of responsible citizenship and
concern for the common good” he said.
Cardinal Parolin said the Catholic community is now called
to work for a more just and inclusive society “by dispelling the shadows of
polarization, divisiveness, and societal breakdown by the pure light of the
gospel.”
He praised the bishops for defending the right to life of
the unborn and for their concern for ensuring access to health care as well as
for their contribution to the discussion of important social issues and
political debates, in particular concerning issues that involve “the defense of
moral values and the rights of the poor, the elderly, the vulnerable, and those
who have no voice.”
Parolin concluded mentioning the importance of pastoral care
and giving thanks for the Spirit's gift of wisdom shown in the bishops'
conference, and prayed that that they “ make keep the lamp of faith burning
brightly.”
The US Bishops assembly meetings are scheduled to continue
through Wednesday.
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