Mexican bishop calls on priests to bear witness to hope

Mexico City, Mexico, Oct 28, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Bishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago of Leon and President of the Mexican Bishops Conference encouraged priests this past weekend to bear witness to hope in times marked by a growing number of believers who stray from the faith.

Bishop Rabago emphasized the need to prolong the reflections of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress, which took place in Guadalajara and which focused on the loss of devotion.

The bishop called it unfortunate that there are those who have lost hope that happiness can be theirs or who have lost faith that kidnappings and bad news can cease.  They must be cared for so that they do not lose their faith, the bishop added, saying as well that priests and bishops have the task of working together with Catholics who are willing to offer themselves in love and service.

Speaking before some 17 priests, Bishop Rabago said that the today’s older priests used to lead visits to the Blessed Sacrament and holy hours, they participated in nighttime adoration and in the Corpus Christ processions.

“These values and practices of the Church are no longer followed, and bishops and priests should ask themselves how much they are to blame for it,” he said.

Bishop Rabago recalled, “Jesus Christ said, ‘Do this in memory of me,’ and therefore we must continuously remind ourselves that feelings and emotions are not enough; God wants a sense of commitment in life, that we are willing to serve and not ignore those in need.”