(ANS – Cuenca) –From 20 to 22 August, in the city of Cuenca, there was a meeting of parish priests from the province. This was the first time that this gathering was attended not only by parish priests from urban areas, but also by priests from suburban communities and missions in the Andes and in Amazonia. Among the conclusions of the meeting was one that called for greater participation of young people in our parishes.

Twenty-one Salesians working in different parishes came together at Cuenca, with different question and expectations. Some were from traditional parishes, others from new ministries engaged in primary evangelization. They all shared a commitment to evangelical fidelity and creativity in new social, cultural and religious contexts. Similarly, it was clear to all that we need to be more daring in rethinking our parish ministry.

The meeting was led by Fr Marcelo Farfán, Fr Juan Cardenas, Fr Hipólito Montahuano and Bro. Gabriel Terán, SDB. The methodology involved three stages: evaluation, enlightenment and forward planning.

In the first phase, strong points and weak points were identified in the implementation of the Provincial Educative and Pastoral Plan for the period 2008 – 2014. The participants  went on then, with the help of Fr Luis Ricchiardi’s reflections, to look at the present state of the parishes. In the third and final stage they pointed out eight challenges common to all in parish ministry:  family ministry, social and health services, celebrations, catechesis, youth associations, formation and training of movements, groups and structures of animation.

One of the questions faced was: “What should we do to strengthen or correct the pastoral direction of the province in order to be faithful to what society, the Church and the Congregation ask of us?”  In this regard it was observed that often we feel the weight of tradition which tends to preserve rather than transform, to maintain inertia, to “carry on doing what we know”. But we also acknowledged the need to move out from our comfort zone and do something new.

Some parishes in Ecuador are in a diocesan context that tends to be liberating and transformative, especially those in the suburbs, while others remain in conservative inertia. There are parishes where practices of popular and paternalistic religiosity prevail, with a reduced overall vision and little formation. This leads to the risk that the parish become a place only for religious services, but with no time to start community processes of social, ecclesial and human transformation.

“Not everything is negative, and there is no need to be discouraged or afraid” said Fr Cárdenas, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry.  “We have found that our parishes are open to participation, with a big number of people involved in pastoral activity, and there is openness to different movements and groups.  We see also that the number of groups engaged in pastoral ministry and social action is increasing. Salesian parishes are characterized by a good attendance of ordinary people and young people. This should encourage us to work for greater participation of the young.”

Published 06/09/2013