Latin American, Caribbean bishops tackle agenda outlined by pope

Published: 2007-05-15

APARECIDA, Brazil (CNS) -- With their agenda broadly outlined by Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean began the conference that will lead to pastoral guidelines for the region for the next 10-15 years. Several bishops who spoke with journalists said the pope raised many of the issues likely to be addressed during the conference, including deeper formation in the faith and church social doctrine, poverty, ministry among indigenous peoples and family life. Archbishop Pedro Barreto Jimeno of Huancayo, Peru, called the pope's May 13 speech to the bishops "inspiring" and "encouraging." Archbishop Baltazar Porras Cardozo of Merida, Venezuela, told journalists that the pope did not "put us in a straitjacket" but "came to present a challenge to the church." The pope's address officially opened the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, which runs through May 31.

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