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Some Particular Challenges
19. Importance has been placed on the quality of life
and the demands of formation because these seem to be the areas which are in
most need of attention. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life wishes to be close to consecrated persons in all
problem areas and to continue an ever more sincere and constructive dialogue.
The members of the Plenary are aware of this need and have manifested the
desire for a greater knowledge of and collaboration with Institutes of
Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Their presence in the local
Church and particularly that of congregations of diocesan right, consecrated
virgins and hermits require special attention on the part of the Bishops and
their presbyterates.
In the same way they are aware of
the questions posed by religious regarding the great works in which up to now
they have been allowed to serve in line with their respective charisms:
hospitals, schools, houses of welcome and of retreat. In some parts of the
world these are urgently needed, in other parts they are becoming difficult to
administer. Creativity, wisdom and dialogue among members of the Institute,
among Institutes with similar works and with those responsible for the local
Church are necessary in order to find the right answers.
The themes of inculturation are also
very much alive. These deal with the way in which to incarnate consecrated
life, adaptation of forms of spirituality and apostolate, ways of governing, formation,
use of resources and material goods and the carrying out of mission. The
appeals expressed by the Pope regarding the whole Church are also applicable to
consecrated life. “In the third millennium, Christianity will have to respond
ever more effectively to this need for
inculturation. Christianity, while remaining completely true to itself, with unswerving faith to the proclamation of the Gospel and the tradition of the Church, will
also reflect the different faces of the cultures and peoples in which it is
received and takes root”.57 A true inculturation in
consecrated life and in the whole Church will result in a notable enrichment
and a new season of spiritual and apostolic growth.
We could endlessly list other
expectations of consecrated life at the beginning of this new millennium
because the Spirit always pushes us above and beyond. It is the word of the
Teacher who, with great enthusiasm, must provoke all of the disciples to
remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to
look forward to the future in confidence.58
Listening to the invitation given to
the whole Church by John Paul II, consecrated life must clearly start afresh
from Christ, contemplating his face, giving preference to the ways of spirituality
as life, teaching and pastoral practice. “The Church also awaits your
contribution, Consecrated Brothers and Sisters, to advance this new track of
street according to the paths which I outlined in the Apostolic Letter Novo millennio ineunte: contemplate
the face of Christ, start afresh from
Him, witness to His love”.59
Only then will consecrated life find new vitality to place itself at the
service of the whole Church and all of humanity.
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