Bergoglio to the U.S. Hispanics, when different cultures meet we walk in hope

The Pope's words in the video message for the fifth National Meeting in the United States, scheduled until 23 September in Grapevine, Texas



Pope Francis


Pubblicato il 22/09/2018
Ultima modifica il 22/09/2018 alle ore 00:39

vatican insider staff
turin


"Different cultures, different ways of living and thinking meet and walk in hope. Your goal is to reach a different way of being and of relating that encourages each person and each group to share the richness of their traditions, the richness of their experiences, to break down walls, to build bridges". Pope Francis says in the video message for the fifth National Meeting of Hispanic Catholics in the United States, scheduled until September 23 in Grapevine, Texas.

"I see that the fifth meeting - continues Francis - is a concrete way for the Church in the United States to respond to the challenge of "coming out" of any kind of comfort, and become a leaven of communion with all those who seek a future of hope, especially with young people and families living on the outskirts of society".

"I know that the process of this fifth meeting - the Pope adds - has comforted many immigrants who live in situations of fear and uncertainty. The fifth meeting has offered them a greater sense of community, friendship and support. It was also an instrument of grace that led to the conversion of the hearts of many people and, above all, to the pastoral conversion of situations and to the pastoral conversion of particular Churches, parishes, colleges, of whatever type of ecclesial meeting. Pastoral conversion through the encounter, of course, in the adoration of Jesus Christ". "I am aware of the contribution that the Hispanic community makes to the life of the nation and I pray that the fifth meeting will continue to contribute to the renewal of society and to the apostolate of the Church in the United States of America".

The meeting in Grapevine is centered on the theme "Missionary disciples: witnesses of God".

The main objective of this Encuendro - the website of the Holy See Vatican News explains - is to discern how the Church in the United States responds to the presence of Hispanics and Latin Americans. Another priority is to strengthen the way in which they "involve themselves and participate in the life of the Church as missionary disciples". In the preparatory phase, before the opening of the meeting, more than 5,000 parishes participated in the consultation process, with hundreds of thousands of parishioners from all over Latin America and with different national cultures. 

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