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Experience in Aparecida
Nachrichten - News - Noticias
 published: 2007-06-22

My Experiences in Aparecida

Father Alexandre Awi from the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers recounts his experiences as a member of the editors' team during the Fifth Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Conference held in Aparecida

 

Participantes de la V. Conferencia en Aparecida

Participants of the V General Assemby en Aparecia

Teilnehmer der V. Konferenz in Aparecida

 

P. Alexandre Awi de Mello

Fr. Alexandre Awi de Mello

P. Alexandre Awi de Mello

 

Clausura de la V. Conferencia: agradecimiento a la Virgen de Aparecida

Closing of the V conference: giving thanks to Our Lady of Aparecida

Abschluss des V. Konferenz: Dank an die Mutter Gottes von Aparecida

 

Cardenal Francisco Javier Errázuriz durante la Conferencia

Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz during the Conference

Kardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz bei der Konferenz

 

El matrimonio Jensen

The Jensen’s during the Conference

Ehepaar Jensen

Fotos: Servicio de prensa www.celam.info © 2007

 

 

 

BRASIL, Fr. Alexandre Awi de Mello. It is difficult to express the deeply profound experience of being given the grace to participate in the Fifth Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Conference in Aparecida. Far more than an exchange of ideas, Aparecida was truly a LIFE EXPERIENCE for me, one of those experiences that far surpasses a simple event since they capture the heart and one’s whole being.

An experience of Church: The Conference allowed us to contemplate on the way in which our Church is so rich and diverse, how the Holy Spirit inspires different realities and arouses multiple charisms in the ONE Church of Jesus Christ. Within a few days, it was possible to have a profound vision of the ecclesial reality on our continent. In addition to the more than 150 cardinals and bishops with a right to speak and vote, many other Church bodies were also present: laity, the religious, priests, deacons, academics, representatives of ecclesial movements and observers from other religious denominations. In other words, these other groups were almost as numerous as those who constituted the Conference and they had the opportunity to express themselves and help the bishops in their reflections.

An experience of Communion

The two sides of the Latin American theological and pastoral debate is well known. However, in Aparecida, opposing and complementary points of view did not generate opposition, but rather integration. We sensed the effort, and at the same time humility, with which the bishops expressed their positions and allowed other points of view to complement theirs. We often commented on the demonstrably positive and uplifting environment that characterised the entire conference. There was also a great deal of trust among all the members as well as the editors' team who had the difficult task of bringing all the contributions together in a final document that would be satisfactory to everyone.

An experience of God

One of the highlights in Aparecida was the liturgy that was carefully prepared and celebrated each time. The whole assembly would pray several times a day (Mass with lauds, Angelus and vespers) and there also beautiful moments of adoration and penitential liturgies. In addition to these times of set prayer, one could also experience a religious atmosphere of respect, joy, intensive and responsible work in the commissions and sub-commissions which allowed all of us to experience God’s presence in the daily running of the Fifth Bishops’ Conference.

An uplifting experience

For those who participated in a Bishops’ Conference for the first time, the witness of so many people – laity, the religious, priests, bishops and cardinals – especially those who belong to the presidency, the secretary general and the editors' team, with whom I shared most of my daily experiences, these were tremendously uplifting days. Its sacrificial work, humility, the capacity to listen, the effort to reach a consensus, respect differences and above all, its love for the Church, touched me deeply and I am filled with sincere gratitude to God for each one of those people who make up the present and the future of the South American Church.

Many people were surprised by my participation in Aparecida.

But I was the most surprised of all! I went at the invitation of Fr. Joaquin Alliende, who was invited to be the spiritual assistant to "Kirche in Not", a German organisation that collaborates extensively with the Latin American Church. I was on the "outside", so to speak, to help Fr. Joaquin in anything that he might need. At the last minute, he was not able to participate on the account of his health, but I had already made the trip without knowing of this. Divine Providence had it that I would arrive two days before the Conference and while I got to familiarise myself with my surroundings, the Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference required that some translation work be done.

Since the translators had not yet arrived, I was asked to help. At that point, they realised that it might be useful to have an extra person in the Conference’s "executive team" and in this way, I was made a part of the group. I could hardly believe the opportunity that I had been given. A day later, when the editors' team was formed (by eight bishops, among them three cardinals, elected by those present and responsible for the final report on the Conference, made up of four consecutive essays), I was asked to be the secretary for the commission. This was an even greater gift, for it was there that the heart of the Conference would pulsate. I truly felt uplifted, not only as the result of the theology and all the matters that were discussed in this commission, but also by the personal testimony of each one of the cardinals and bishops who were present: a real classroom experience of the Church and Christian living.

Aparecida was also a powerful learning experience.

This is primarily true because of everything that one learnt from this meeting. From the Pope’s opening speech to the closing homily, everything that was discussed and debated had theological connotations and this ensured that we had our "theological antennae constantly switched on". Contact with other theologians, both those within and outside of the Conference further helped us to analyse certain points of view and to form our opinions more aptly.

Many people have asked about the presence and contribution that the Schoenstatt Movement made during the Conference.

For the first time, several movements and new communities were invited. Schoenstatt was one of them. Our official representatives were Luis and Pilar Jensen, the only couple at the Conference. They contributed to the work of the commissions as well as the various interventions during the meeting. They were able to place a greater focus on topics such as family, movements and Mary and they were able to join in with other groups who also expressed an interest in these topics.

Another key person was Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz (Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers), president to the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Conference and one of the presidents of the Fifth Conference. His presence, moral authority and wisdom were absolutely necessary for the success and progress of the Conference. He had a vision of teamwork, made the necessary corrections and led the Conference with both firmness and transparency. I was very glad and felt a wholesome pride in observing the sacrificial and confident service of our Father and Founder’s son at the helm of the Latin American and Caribbean Church, which represents about half of the world’s catholic population.

Fr. Sidney Fones, one of the assistant secretaries present at the Conference, must also be mentioned, for he capably oversaw all the practical aspects in the running of the Conference. From the moment I arrived, I immediately became aware that every practical detail had Fr. Sidney’s signature. Even though he remained behind the scenes, his efforts were appreciated by everyone present. It was truly beautiful to see two brothers from our community, both Fr. Sidney and Cardinal Errázuriz, working so directly, intensely and harmoniously for the Fifth Conference.

We have so much to give thanks to God and to our MTA for each one of these brothers, as well as for each of the participants at the Fifth Conference and to ask for the fruits of these efforts in our Shrine. May a new Pentecost that is so necessary for the Latin American and Caribbean Church emerge from the Cenacle at Aparecida. May our Shrines be places of communion, formation and missionary zeal for the disciples of Jesus Christ, so that our people may have life in Him.

Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa

 

 

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