Holy Father Pope Francis appreciated the efforts of the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) for making their conference a home at the service of communion and the mission of the Church in Latin America, when he met the Executive Committee of CELAM in the Apostolic Nunciature after his meeting with the Bishops of Bogota. His Holiness Pope Francis asked the members of CELAM to carry out their mission by one to one contact and to make a Church able to be a sacrament of unity and hope.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “I appreciate your efforts to make this continental Episcopal Conference a home at the service of communion and the mission of the Church in Latin America, as well as a center for fostering a sense of discipleship and missionary spirit.” Further, His Holiness added, “Over these decades of service to communion, CELAM has also become a vital point of reference for the development of a deeper understanding of Latin American Catholicism and I take this occasion to encourage your recent efforts to express this collegial concern through the Solidarity Fund of the Latin American Church.”
His Holiness recalled his last meeting with them (CELAM)four years ago, in Rio de Janeiro and the mention he made then of the pastoral legacy of Aparecida which he said is a treasure yet to be fully exploited.
