Juazeiro do Norte, July 14, 2013.

We,  Youths gathered at Trezinho Meeting, organized by  the Base Ecclesial Communities (CEBs) in the Diocese of Crato, in preparation for the 13th Interecclesial Meeting, we share the experience of Prophecy and Justice in the Service of Life, either in the rural zones and in the City. So, we want to announce to all youths from all continents who will be attending the World Youth Day and the 13th Interecclesial of CEBs that, according to Christ Liberator´s testimony, we seek to experience a prophetic spirituality, which becomes visible in the preferential option for the poor and in defense of life for a society of living well. Spurred by the prophecy of this martyrs land, who in their fidelity to the Gospel, shed their blood for the sake of the Kingdom, denounce:

- The current capitalist model driven by  profit, which kills our youths, especially the Afrodenscendents  and poor, and thus destroys the hope of the continuity of life that God has given us.

- The lack of effectiveness of specific public policies for young people in the city and countryside.

- The great projects and mega-events with the mask "development" to the countryside and the cities, which expel communities from their territories by destroying the cultures and traditions that they have historically constructed.

We repudiate:

- Reducing the age concerning criminal responsibility because we believe that it will not solve the problem of violence,  because such a problem has cause involving social inequality and lack of opportunity for the development of a dignified life - "I came that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly "(John 10:10).

- The attitude of politicians who use public goods to feed the greed for money and impunity that encourages the commission of such crimes - "You cannot serve God and money" (Deut. 9).

Due to everything that was explained, we  affirm our commitment to:

- To participate at the struggle of the Afrodescendent, Indigenous, Peasant  Youth, and at the struggle of fisherfolk and "Quilombolas" communities as well, defending their identity and territories.

· Fight for the democratization of the media as a guarantee of space and popular expression, performing a counterpoint to mainstream media that distorts the most diverse social struggles.

· We support the defense of the various forms of love as an expression of the gesture in which Jesus welcomes the Samaritan woman (John 4), and thus breaks prejudices present in us and in society.

We, Youths delighted  with the current context of the Base Ecclesial Communities, will follow the firm path towards a society in which everyone take part in a new history.

(Transl.: AJFC)

“Juventude que ousa lutar constrói o poder popular”

"Youth who dares fight builds people's power"

Juazeiro do Norte, 14 de julho de 2013.

Nós juventudes reunidos no Trezinho das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base, na diocese de Crato, em preparação ao 13º Intereclesial que vivenciamos a experiência da Justiça e Profecia a Serviço da Vida no Campo e na Cidade. Assim, queremos anunciar a todas as juventudes de todos os continentes que estarão presentes na Jornada Mundial da Juventude e no 13º Intereclesial de CEBs, que seguindo o testemunho do Cristo libertador procuramos vivenciar uma espiritualidade profética, que se torna visível na opção preferencial pelos pobres e na defesa da vida por uma sociedade do bem viver. Impulsionados pela profecia desta terra e dos mártires que na fidelidade ao Evangelho derramaram seu sangue pela causa do Reino, denunciamos:

(Let's renew our Church ... with Francis) 

PDF: [German] [English] 

Die KirchenVolksBewegung Wir sind Kirche begrüßt und unterstützt den pastoralen und Menschen zugewandten Kurs von Papst Franziskus. Doch mit seinem Aufsehen erregenden Stil ist die Kirchenkrise noch lange nicht überwunden. Gerade im Vatikan gibt es starke Widerstände gegen die Reformansätze des Papstes.

Franziskus praktiziert einen spirituellen Leitungsstil. Er selbst gibt ein Vorbild des „Guten Hir- ten“. Doch wird er eine Reform der römischen Kurie durchsetzen können? Wie wird er langfristig das Staatssekretariat oder die Glaubenskongregation besetzen? Welche lehramtlichen Entscheidun- gen wird er z.B. in der Frauenfrage oder gegenüber den US-amerikanischen Ordensfrauen treffen? Welche Akzente wird er zur Überwindung der „Gotteskrise“ und in der Christologie setzen?

Vor Franziskus und uns liegt noch ein langer Weg, die römisch-katholische Kirche wieder auf Reformkurs zu bringen im Sinne des Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzils. Deshalb: Unterstützen Sie den Erneuerungskurs von Papst Franziskus – und weiterhin auch die KirchenVolksBewegung. Wir sind Kirche hat einige zentrale Aussagen von Franziskus sowie über ihn zusammengestellt. Der neue Kirchenkurs muss möglichst bald in den Bistümern und Gemeinden spürbar werden!

First impressions of the encyclical "Lumen Fidei"

06/07/2013

Prof. Leonardo Boff

La Encíclica Lumen Fidei viene con la autoría del Papa Francisco, pero es sabido que fue escrita por el Papa anterior, ahora emérito, Benedicto XVI. Confiesa claramente el Papa Francisco: «Asumo tu precioso trabajo,  limitándome a añadir al texto alguna contribución». Y así debe ser, de lo contrario, no tendría la nota del magisterio papal. Sería simplemente un texto teológico de alguien que un día fue el Papa.

Benedicto XVI quería escribir una trilogía sobre las virtudes cardinales. Escribió sobre la esperanza y el amor. Pero le faltaba la fe, lo que hace ahora con los pequeños complementos  del Papa Francisco.

La Encíclica no trae ninguna novedad sensacional que llame la atención de la comunidad teológica, del conjunto de los fieles o del público en general. Es un texto de alta teología, con un estilo recargado y lleno de citas bíblicas y de los Santos Padres. Curiosamente cita autores de la cultura occidental como Dante, Buber, Dostoievski, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Romano Guardini y al poeta Thomas Eliot. Se puede ver claramente la mano del Papa Benedicto XVI, sobre todo en discusiones refinadas de difícil compresión hasta para los teólogos, manejando  expresiones griegas y hebreas, como suele hacer un doctor y maestro.