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Consecrated
life
43. The
history of evangelization in America bears eloquent testimony to the missionary
work accomplished by countless consecrated Religious who from the beginning
proclaimed the Gospel, defended the rights of the indigenous peoples and, with
heroic love for Christ, dedicated themselves to service of the People of God on
the continent. (150) The contribution of Religious to the proclamation
of the Gospel in America is still enormously important; it is a varied
contribution shaped by the charisms of each group: “Institutes of contemplative
life which witness to God as absolute; apostolic and missionary Institutes
which make Christ present in all the many different areas of human life;
Secular Institutes which help to resolve the tension between real openness to
the values of the modern world and the profound offering of one's heart to God.
New Institutes and new forms of consecrated life are also coming into being,
and these require evangelical discernment”. (151)
Since
“the future of the new evangelization . . . is unthinkable without the renewed
contribution of women, especially women Religious”, (152) it is urgent
to promote their participation in the various areas of Church life, including
decision-making processes, especially on issues which concern them directly.
(153)
“Today
too the witness of a life consecrated completely to God is an eloquent
proclamation of the fact that God suffices to give fulfillment to the life of
each person”. (154) This consecration to the Lord must become generous
service in the spreading of God's Kingdom. For this reason, on the threshold of
the Third Millennium, it is necessary to ensure “that consecrated life be more
highly esteemed and promoted by Bishops, priests, and Christian communities,
and that, conscious of the joy and responsibility of their vocation,
consecrated religious be fully integrated into the particular Church to which
they belong, fostering communion and mutual cooperation”. (155)
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