At the end of 2010 is good to stop a bit to do a little assessment of what has been our Pastoral Hospital to prepare us to face 2011 with renewed enthusiasm and positive lines. This year has been, certainly a tough year for many of our country and feel that God has told us to drive a large current of faith and solidarity.
What things have we seen over the past year in the ministry entrusted to us? At first glance, we realize that there is a growing lack of chaplains to provide pastoral care stable in different hospitals and also great difficulty in getting timely support for emergencies from the parishes. This observation leads to a deeper reflection. We are concerned that the issue of pastoral care for the sick is going through an obvious impairment. Ceased to be a normal pastoral concern as it was for centuries. This can be clearly perceived when to go to the ordinary means of dissemination of the Church experienced a clear resistance to open a space. Caring for sick poor is not news, it does not matter, salo when legal conflicts.
We also find that, j Unto the decrease in the number of chaplains, we reduce the number of volunteers. We are concerned as the Volunteers, who have faithfully provided their services in hospitals, grow older without renewal and, therefore, are increasingly taking absence for health. We admire the loyalty of a large contingent, with many sacrifices, make a church presence in this world where so much anxiety and pain experience. Moreover, we are concerned about a certain mentality in pastors who believe in patient care in hospitals as a "horn" and make him remove it.
In contrast to this, we are gradually approaching the Pastoral seeing many professionals and officials working in hospitals. The first step in this ministry is to recognize each other as members of the Church. With great joy we have witnessed the gratitude of directors from hospital volunteers. During the visit of the image of the Virgen del Carmen Peregrina this is noted in several hospitals.
Looking ahead, we see that the line drawn so clearly in Aparecida must continue to illuminate our activities. We feel that gradually is becoming aware which must pass a simple church believers to a church of disciples committed to the Lord and his Church. In the same vein the emphasis for the future is made of the Church as a whole and for each ministry or group "home and school of communion", as John Paul II raised at the beginning of the third millennium of Christ. This means that in 2011 we will try to find ways of communion among Catholics who mark their presence in hospitals. We believe that the celebration of Christmas has given new impetus to summon all to meet the Prince of Peace.
The Lord has given us a new Pastor, Bishop Ricardo Ezzati. While acknowledging the work of Bishop Errazuriz, we open our hearts to welcome the new representative of Christ in our Archdiocese. Surely we must seize the first opportunity we have to tell you about everything we're trying to do in the field that has given us.
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