Aparecida, Brazil, May 29, 2007 / 08:54 am
Bishop Noberto Strotmann Hoppe of Chosica (Peru), in statements to CNA, gives the faithful a glimpse into some of the problems occurring within the Latin American Bishops’ Council (CELAM) and what has led the bishops to make procedural changes to ensure that the 5th General Conference in Aparecida would run smoother.
The Peruvian bishop said, “It’s nothing new if I tell you that evidently there have been problems,” not so much in Aparecida as in previous meetings. “One thing that is very clear is that the preparation for events such as these needs to change and should be streamlined, but the methodology of the assembly itself should be profoundly changed and streamlined so that the 250 bishops gathered together can work with great efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.
Bishop Strotmman noted that despite different temperaments among the bishops in their small groups, discussions have been cordial, “even though there have been many differences of opinions.”
Asked what his own suggestions might be, Bishop Strotmann called attention to “serious deficiencies in the area of preparation for the conference, both in social as well as theological questions. With all due respect to those involved, there were no bright lights,” he said in reference to some of the preparatory documents of the 5th General Conference.