Growth of Church depends on each Christian, says Argentinean archbishop

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec 15, 2010 / 16:03 pm

An Argentinean archbishop explained on a recent television program that the growth of the Church depends on each Catholic's commitment to the faith.

Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Argentina spoke Dec. 11 during his television program, Keys to a Better World.

Archbishop Aguer noted that Pope Benedict XVI has also emphasized the importance of a decisive commitment to the faith. “People – including those who were Christian and have lost their faith – can see their faith renewed.” 

“This is the goal of the new evangelization,” he explained.

The archbishop pointed out that the reality of the Church is different in each country.  While in the West, the “connection between the people and the Church” is eroding, countries in Asia or Africa are seeing a boom in conversions.  “More than seeing this through a sociological lens, we need to see it through a theological one.  The growth of the Church is a mystery!” the archbishop underscored.

Argentina’s own history has been shaped by the presence of the Catholic faith, the archbishop continued. He added that the large number of pilgrims who visit the country “remind us that there is a Catholic foundation to the Argentinean nation that can always be revived.”

For this reason, Archbishop Aguer urged the faithful to grow in fidelity and to increase “not only in number but above all in holiness.”