Challenges for the Church in Portugal (Part 2)
Interview With Archbishop Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga

 

ROME, JULY 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Primate Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga, of Braga, Portugal, president of the Portuguese episcopal conference, says that Christians have to be aware that they are leaven in society.

He was interviewed by ZENIT when in Rome in May to attend the general assembly of the Italian episcopal conference.

The prelate addressed some important topics for the Church in his country: the transmission of the faith in a secularized society, the lack of priests, the importance of ecclesial movements, attention to social problems and the media.

Part 1 of this interview appeared Sunday.

Q: What are the present priorities of the Portuguese episcopal conference?

Archbishop Ferreira da Costa Ortiga: As I mentioned, one and perhaps the main one that I intend to review is the transmission of the faith today, in face of this secularized and, in certain aspects, anti-Christian world.

We have already also addressed the problems of a multi-cultural society, and the question of Christian initiation. We now have before us the areas in which this transmission of faith must be realized: universities, the family, the school, the community, movements.

The dimension of spirituality as prayer -- and not only this -- but also another which is fundamental is the area of formation. Permanent formation as a factor that affects priests but also the laity.

If this is the program that has been set out, there is another that is arising spontaneously from the usual meetings of our permanent council and which, I believe, must be a program delineated from what society suggests to us.

I believe we will have to be far more open to society, to stop looking only at our own things, to stop thinking only in internal terms of life of the community, to be aware of the fact that we are the leaven of the world. Then we will have before us many problems which we cannot postpone, such as abortion, medically assisted reproduction or the reality of work.

The last social week organized by the episcopal conference, which perhaps has not been given the importance it deserved, was dedicated precisely to the topic of work, that is, to a society creator and generator of work. The Church is interested in creating this mentality, which exhorts the favoring of the necessary conditions so that all will have work, because work is a right and, of course, also a duty.

In no way can we be closed to social problems because, at this time, with the reality of strikes, the social problems emerge: misery, famine, poverty and a hidden poverty, the poor who are ashamed, and then the difficulty of finding the first job. All this reality of the marginalization of youth is an aspect we cannot forget.

Another essential aspect is the reality of migration: the Portuguese continue to leave. We must support them, but the Church must also be welcoming because at present Portugal is, in a certain sense, a sought-after place. There are immigrants who are welcomed and integrated, but others who are not.

Q: Movements are increasingly acquiring visibility in the Church. In your judgment, what is the place and importance of the ecclesial movements in the Church?

Archbishop Ferreira da Costa Ortiga: The ecclesial movements are essential for carrying out the mission of the Church. I have always thought this. I earnestly believe in the presence of the Spirit in these movements.

And I would say that this personal opinion was confirmed by the International Congress of Lisbon, when in the letter the Pope sent us for the opening, mention was made specifically of parishes and movements. I am convinced that the parish, in the exclusively territorial sense, is losing much of its meaning, and the movements, especially in the urban reality, are acquiring new ground.

It is important that these movements, as charisms, integrate in a local community, without losing their originality. Charism and institution are two inseparable aspects, which will succeed in growing and in being useful if they walk in step. Today more than ever I believe in the importance of the movements. However, they cannot be closed. They must integrate themselves and reach the institution, whether the parish or the diocese.

Q: The media is part of present-day societies and of people's lives. How does the Church regard the media?

Archbishop Ferreira da Costa Ortiga: I believe that today the Church must take up her mission in a different way: go and announce, proclaim from the rooftops. In face of a plural reality, we have no need of privileges. The only thing we need is to be what we are, to be Church. This does not mean that we must be closed; we must proclaim.

I believe that today it is essential that the Church adopt a posture of dialogue and proclamation: to dialogue with the world and to proclaim in the world. To dialogue as one that accepts diversity but at the same time proclaims. To proclaim within and outside.

It is here where I place the importance of the media: realities that we know and use; realities that exist but to which we still do not give due importance. It cannot be foreign to the Church if it is an instrument to proclaim Jesus Christ and his Good News.

This is why the Portuguese episcopal conference, in its pastoral days of this year, addressed these topics, especially everything relating to the question of the Internet. Not only social communication in what is traditional: written or televised social communication, but also the new areopagi that today have invaded modern society and on which we should focus.

It is a sign of concern, it is a sign that we, bishops, also want to learn, I would not say, perhaps, to use them, but certainly to stimulate our Christians to use them, so that through them the Good News will reach the whole world.