Latin American religious reaffirm commitment to synodality

In a message issued for the World Day for Consecrated Life, an organization of religious men and women in Latin American and the Caribbean urges religious to continue “looking to the future with hope”, while reaffirming their commitment for a synodal and prophetic Church.

By Lisa Zengarini

On the occasion of the World Day for Consecrated Life, which was celebrated on 2 February, the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious (CLAR) reiterated its commitment to promoting change in the exercise of authority in the Church and to restore the spirit of Christian service so as to fulfill its prophetic role in society.

Learning a new way of being Church

In a Message ahead of the celebration, the leadership of CLAR, remarked that with their “lifestyle bearing witness to the love of Christ” in all fields of ecclesial and social life and their “quest for the Absolute”, consecrated men and women offer “a spiritual therapy for the evils of our time.”

“We live the current uncertain times intensely as we try to give answers to the many questions surrounding us. We are inaugurating and learning a new way of being Church, a synodal Church, which spurs us to recover prophecy, having the Gospel as the sole rule of life.”

Encouraging co-responsibility

According to the leadership of CLAR, the time has come “to serve humanity, to abandon all abuse – be it of power, conscience or sexual -, to get freed from all forms of slavery” and to “promote synodal relations” in men and women religious’ work.

"It is time for us to go forward by making ourselves small with the people, to promote the dynamics of collaboration and co-responsibility, to articulate the participation of all,” they added.

Supporting dialogue in the Church

In this regard, the letter highlights that the first Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Autumn last year, recognized that CLAR has long contributed “to generating a growing synodal mentality and practice” in the local Church.

This recognition "confirms our commitment to cultivating dialogue between our bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity,” so as to carry out our common missioin with one soul and heart focused on God”, and “to promoting a new leadership in the ecclesial body, especially of women and lay people”, the letter concluded.

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