Bishops will propose to the Pope to travel to Argentina

In a message broadcast on the occasion of
sixth anniversary of the election of the

dad Francisco

, the Argentine bishops expected that during the visit that they would make between the Vatican and the Vatican between the end of April and May, they would propose to the Pontiff to "not deprive himself of joy" to visit his country.

Ecclesiastical sources explained to
THE NATION that the desire expressed by the bishops does not constitute a formal invitation. However, it is the first time that the episcopate expressly expresses it in a public statement.

Elected pope on the historic day of March 13, 2013,
Jorge Bergoglio does not return to Argentina after his surprise consecration at the conclave, when the cardinals elected him instead of Benedict XVI, who had resigned a month earlier.

In addition to the statement in which they anticipate the suggestion that they will make to Francisco. the Argentine bishops addressed these last hours to the Pope an "affectionate and fraternal greeting", in a letter signed by the president of the episcopate, Oscar Ojea, and the general secretary, Carlos Malfa, who participate in the plenary badembly which deliberates on Monday in Pilar.

In this letter, they especially thank Francisco for his "ministry of the Good Shepherd for all

Church

"and they ask that" God bless him and continue to attend with his Holy Spirit to confirm us in faith and that St. Mary will cover him with his cloak ".

"The joy of the visit"

At the moment they went away, the bishops will convey to the pope that he "does not deprive himself of the joy of visiting us", during the ad limina visit that the whole of the Episcopate will realize to the Pope in three groups, between April and May this year

In the first round, the bishops of the regions of La Plata, the coast and the north-east will travel to Rome, among which are the archbishops of La Plata, Víctor Fernández, and Santa Fe, Sergio Fenoy. They will leave on April 28, one day after the beatification in the Rioja of Bishop Enrique Angelelli, proclaimed a martyr by Francisco, as well as priests Carlos de Dios Murias and Gabriel Longueville, as well as lay leader Wenceslao Pedernera.

Between 5 and 11 May, the Bishops of the Buenos Aires region (Oscar Ojea and Cardinal Mario Poli, among others) will go to see the pope, and from May 12 to 18, it will be the turn of the shepherds of the regions of Patagonia . , Center, Cuyo and North West of the country.

"We admire recognize in you an exemplary austerity, a tireless perseverance, a constant availability, many details and delicacies with so many people and situations that you miss spontaneously," says the message of the episcopate, which also allusion to the crisis experienced today in the church.

"We are touched by his peace and strength in the face of great challenges, such as the painful tragedy of abuse," say the bishops.

After leaving their teachings, their gestures and their words, remember that "the option for the poorest was reflected in various works of mercy, as in the cordial lunches with the homeless in Rome or in the prisons, the Rehabilitation homes and many existential peripheries, which are a priority in their missionary journeys. "

The visit to Rome

The bishops' trip to the Vatican, this time in three sections, includes a meeting with the Holy Father and meetings with various organizations of the Holy See.

As did the episcopate of

Venezuela

In September 2018, the bishops will present a detailed report on the pastoral reality of each diocese. The pope will receive a first-hand badessment of the social situation in which each province and region of the country is located.

The last ad limina visit of the Argentine episcopate took place in March 2009, when Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was at the head of the delegation that visited Benedict XVI. On this occasion, the German pope described the "profound crisis of values ​​of culture" that was undergoing Argentina at the time

Cristina Kirchner

– as well as the challenges of the "scandal of poverty and social exclusion".

In addition to their meeting with Francisco, the bishops will make pilgrimages to the four main basilicas in Rome and to the tombs of San Pedro and San Pablo.

The bishops who will carry out the first shift will begin the visit with a Mbad celebrated on April 28 in the Argentine Church of Rome, to pray and thank for the beatification of the martyrs of La Rioja.