Colombia, to be born again: the freshness of the Gospel

From the assembly of major superiors to meetings with contemplatives, young people and Church leaders; from the Red Tamar project to communities affected by the earthquake. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime and Sister Angélica María Hernández Ochoa were in Colombia from 8 to 15 October for a visit marked by listening, discernment and the renewal of charisms.

‘Colombia needs a consecrated life that does not simply speak of hope, but makes it possible; that does not simply celebrate the banquet of the Kingdom, but makes room for many to sit at the table.’ Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, addressed these words to participants in the 65th General Assembly of the Conference of Religious of Colombia (CRC), held at Santo Tomás University in Bogotá on the theme ‘Nacer de nuevo: una vida religiosa transformada y profética’.

Together with Sister Angélica María Hernández Ochoa, an official of the Dicastery, the Cardinal met in Bogotá with women who had been trafficked and were being accompanied through the Red Tamar project and, in the Diocese of Soacha, with consecrated women and men from Soacha and Ciudad Bolívar. The discussions also involved major superiors, contemplative communities, young people and Church leaders.

Making community life more human

Consecrated life, Cardinal Fernández Artime affirmed, will continue for as long as the Church exists. It is not enough to be concerned about numbers, difficulties and structures. There is a need to ask how to use what one possesses and what choices to make in order to be free in mission, living out the purpose for which the charisms came into being, with the freshness of the Gospel. The Cardinal reiterated the purpose of the visit: to be close to consecrated women and men in Colombia, to gain first-hand knowledge of their circumstances and to accompany them on their journey.

Sister Angélica explored the value of canonical norms in the service of vocation, drawing attention to co-responsibility, the governance of institutes and the protection of people. Charisms, she recalled, are gifts of the Holy Spirit for the whole Church, not instruments serving personal projects.

‘What can we do to make life more human?’ The dialogue with major superiors addressed questions concerning the exercise of authority, the quality of relationships and ongoing formation. In the Dicastery’s responses, sensitivity, tenderness and patience were accompanied by the resolve needed to face difficulties: what is left unaddressed does not disappear; it multiplies.

Listen before deciding, discern before acting, accompany after deciding: this was the call addressed to major superiors by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Angelo Accattino, who conveyed the greetings and blessing of Pope Leo XIV. Sister Patricia Milena Osorno Zuluaga, President of the CRC, invited them to experience difficulties as a time of pruning, searching together in the communion of charisms and making communities places of reconciliation.

In meetings with associations of the faithful, the Dicastery examined the criteria for recognising new charisms: the centrality of Christ, originality, formation and the quality of relationships, beyond the success of their works. Episcopal vicars were reminded of their task of fostering communion with the dioceses while respecting the autonomy of the institutes. The discussions also made room for contemplative communities and the expectations of the younger generations.

In Pereira, communities that become a home

The earthquake of 10 August damaged the houses and works of several congregations. The assembly heard accounts of communities that, although directly affected, continued to assist the population. In Pereira, the Adorers were welcomed by the Vincentian Sisters and the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy by the Xaverian Missionaries. In Quibdó, the Carmelite Sisters’ house collapsed.

In Pereira on 14 October, the Cardinal and Sister Angélica, accompanied by Sister Cristina Angel Castro, visited the school and workshop of the Adorers, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity, which served women who had left prostitution and were destroyed by the earthquake. They met the local consecrated women and visited the home for the elderly run by the Sisters of St Peter Claver. In the cathedral, the Cardinal presided over the Eucharist in the presence of lay faithful and consecrated women and men.

The Dicastery expresses its gratitude to the Conference of Religious of Colombia, its President, the Colombian Episcopal Conference and the pastors who welcomed the visit. It thanks consecrated women and men of every generation who continue to serve in the streets, hospitals, rural areas and neighbourhoods, sharing their houses and resources with those who need them most.