Evangelization requires holy priests, Paraguayan bishops say

Asunción, Paraguay, Nov 29, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The Bishops’ Conference of Paraguay is thanking priests for their efforts at evangelizing the country and inviting them to embark upon the path to holiness in order to build up the Kingdom of God.

During a Mass initiating a novena to the country’s patroness, Our Lady of Caacupe, the bishops read a pastoral letter to priests, thanking them for their “generous service” in the priestly life despite the problems they face.  “We know that together we can overcome the great difficulties that come before us,” they said.

The bishops also pointed to the challenges of the priestly life that the entire Church in Paraguay must face, such as “poverty,” “the lack of economic support by the faithful” and “the lack of organization in ensuring a more dignified priestly life.”

In their letter the bishops also highlighted the “spiritual riches” of the Paraguayan people, whose enthusiasm should “awaken a new dynamism” in the work of evangelization.  “In the cause of the Kingdom, there is no time to look back, much less to become absorbed by laziness.  There is much that awaits us and therefore we must embark upon the path of our own sanctification and pastoral renewal,” they added.

The bishops concluded their letter assuring priests, “You have been very present in our thoughts and we have prayed for you, as we will continue praying with you.”