Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 22, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In a message for the Lenten season, Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, called on fallen-away Catholics to “return to the home of their mother, the Church, who waits with an open heart.”
The bishop explained that “today the Church presents us with the beautiful parable which reflects the heart of our Father God, who waits with open arms for our return to the family home. He does not reproach nor punish, but rather celebrates with a great feast. The only condition is that the younger son acknowledges his error, repents, and chooses to change his life. And in order for the feast to be complete, the older son must accept his brother instead of condemning and rejecting him. God is pleased when he sees us united as brothers.”
“According to the 2000 census, the number of fallen-away Catholics has grown. Just as the number of those who abandon the Catholic faith is on the rise, so too is the number of people who no longer practice their faith and become indifferent. In our country 3.49% declare themselves to have ‘no religion’. In Chiapas that figure is 12.9%. The majority are Catholics or Protestants who have fallen away. Some go from church to church and end up nowhere,” he added.
Bishop Arizmendi said that “during this time of Lent, there are many people who humbly approach the sacrament of Reconciliation, sincerely confess their sins, choose to change their life, receive the generous mercy of God the Father, through the priest who is authorized to forgive in the name of the Lord, and participate joyfully in the banquet of the Eucharist, together with their brothers and sisters in the faith.”