Vatican expert: Catholicism’s destiny intertwined with Latin America

Lima, Peru, May 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm

During a conference in Lima at the celebrations of the 50^th Anniversary of the Latin America Bishops Conference (CELAM), the Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Guzman Carriquiry, pointed out that “the destiny of Catholicism and the destiny of our peoples in large measure are intertwined, at least for the 21^st century.”

In his talk entitled, “50 Years of CELAM: Memory and Destiny,” Professor Carriquiry explained that “if Catholic tradition fades away, if we do not proceed towards an intense work in the faith, if the sense of belonging to the Church does not grow and if missionary zeal is lost, if that Catholic tradition does not become the soul, intelligence, the driving force and horizon of authentic development and growth in humanity, our peoples will suffer and be lost.”

“And if our peoples remain prisoners of marginality and poverty, in periodic cycles of depression and violence, weighed down by the greatest inequalities in the world, Catholicism will suffer and be lost,” he added.

Carriquiry noted that, “Its not for the Church to enter into political debates or technical questions, which is the field of the laity,” because “that is not her vocation and mission.”

Nevertheless, he explained, “Her unique contribution is decisive in the lives of peoples” and consists of bringing individuals to conversion and fostering truth, love, unity and wisdom.