The demonsby F.M. Dostoyevsky. A journey to moral "solidarityForgotten common good: the paradigmatic example of DANAImmigrants turned into political weaponsThe 127th Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Episcopal Conference opened with a speech by Bishop Luis Argüello, president of the EEC, in which he addressed the challenges facing the Church in the current social, political and economic context, calling for the search for the common good.
His speech stood out for its high intellectual level and the soundness of his arguments, in line with what is usual for him. His reflection highlighted the need to recover the centrality of the person and transcendence in a society marked by individualism and immediacy.
He began by thanking the Nuncio, Bernardito Azúa, for his work during these years in Spain. He also asked for prayers for the health of Pope Francis and for the unity of the Church in these uncertain times.
Facing radical individualism
One of the central axes of the speech was the warning about the dominant anthropological model of today. Bishop Argüello denounced that many of the recent legislations "referring to life, marriage, sex and gender consecrate autonomous and empowered individualism as the anthropology of reference in which ideology almost dispenses with biology." He cited the transhumanism as one of the most important challenges facing society.
In this sense, he stressed that life is a gift and not a question of power or absolute self-determination. The Archbishop lamented that this vision has permeated society, blurring identity and the sense of community. In contrast, he insisted on the need for a culture based on interdependence and solidarity, where each person is recognized in his or her dignity and in his or her relationship with others.
Economics and social justice
The prelate also addressed the impact of the economy on the configuration of the social fabric, pointing out that the current system promotes a model based on consumerism and the manipulation of individual desires. "The dominant economy promotes rules of the game based on the capacity that supply has to teledirect demand through the manipulation of the heart, of desire with promises of a good life or, at least, of an entertained or briefly satisfied life," he warned.
Faced with this reality, he defended an economic model that puts the person at the center and not only profitability. He recalled that the Church, through its Social Doctrine, has insisted on the need for an economy of the common good that guarantees the sustenance of families, decent work and the protection of the most vulnerable.
Vocation and mission of the Church in today's world
Another of the key points of the speech was the mission of the Church in contemporary society. Bishop Argüello recalled that the ecclesial community "is not built on projects, but on charity that is accepted, incarnated, shared and offered in a vocational way". He explained that the Church must be a living witness of service and dedication, far from the logic of power and immediate success.
He also highlighted the importance of vocation as a response to the culture of "insatiable empowerment". In a world where the individual constantly seeks to reassert himself in success and self-sufficiency, the Archbishop pointed out that true fulfillment is found in generous self-giving and obedience to God's will.
In a hopeful tone, the prelate recalled that the Church is called to be light in the midst of uncertainty. "We celebrate the paschal mystery in time, in history, realizing that Jesus is the Lord of time," he said. From this certainty, he invited the faithful to be "pilgrims of hope," facing difficulties with faith and trust in divine providence.
Global Concerns and the Future of the Church
Bishop Argüello did not leave aside the challenges facing the Church today, both internally and externally. He expressed his concern for the world situation, marked by conflicts, economic crises and growing social fragmentation.
In this context, he stressed the importance of synodality as a way to strengthen ecclesial communion. "We are people and way," he affirmed, stressing that the co-responsibility and participation of all the faithful are essential for the mission of the Church in today's world.
A call to recover the Christian identity
The speech concluded with an invitation to recover Christian identity in a world that seems to have relegated it to the background. Bishop Argüello warned that secularization and relativism have weakened the values that have historically sustained European society.
The prelate insisted that Gospel values, such as truth, freedom, justice and charity, are fundamental for building a more just and fraternal society. In this sense, he encouraged Christians to live their faith with coherence and to be witnesses to the Gospel in all areas of life.
Trump and the new international order
In his intervention, Bishop Luis Argüello highlighted how the coming to power of Donald Trump marked a turning point in the international order. As he explained, this phenomenon has contributed to the fragmentation of the geopolitical system.
Argüello pointed out how "the poles of geopolitical power, old and new, among which Europe is seeking its place, have a curious common characteristic, the importance given by the public authorities to the religious phenomenon -Russia and Orthodox Christianity, the Arab states and Islam, China and the recovery of Confucius; In India, the ruling party is seeking to establish Hinduism as a central identity; in the United States, the value it attaches to its mosaic of Christian denominations remains important, with a singular role now for "prosperity theology".
The migration crisis and the Church
Argüello mentioned how U.S. immigration policy, justified by some sectors on religious grounds, has generated an intense debate on the conception of the "ordo amoris" and the role of the "theology of prosperity" within U.S. Christianity.
With regard to Spain, he addressed the impact of the recent reform of the Regulations of the Law on Foreigners which, although it has been used as an argument to stop the processing of the Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) supported by the Church and other entities, still leaves thousands of people in a "legal and existential limbo". Among them, he mentioned those who do not meet the requirements of permanence, undocumented persons without the possibility of regularization and those who face labor difficulties due to age or illness.
The Spanish Episcopal Conference has urged the main political parties to resume dialogue and reconsider the processing of the ILP in order to offer a fairer solution to these people.
Seeking the common good
In the final part of his intervention, Bishop Argüello called for a "social alliance for hope", taking up the invitation of Pope Francis. He proposed fostering dialogue on the organization of society and the conception of "we", stressing the need to overcome fragmented identities and corporativism.
Its approach is committed to a more cohesive society in which human relations and the construction of the common good are paramount.
The Nuncio's speech
After Argüello's words, Bernardito expressed his gratitude to the bishops for their welcome and support during his stay in Spain, besides asking for prayers for the Pope. He also thanked the Spanish people for the warmth of their welcome in the various cities he has visited.
At the end of his speech, Luis Argüello presented him with copies of the Liturgy of the Hours, "so that he can pray in Spanish wherever he is.
