Religious leaders in Cochabamba emphasize mission and environmental stewardship

In Cochabamba, Bolivia, religious leaders and theologians have emphasized the themes of mission and global brotherhood during recent ecclesiastical gatherings. Archbishop Óscar Aparicio presided over a Mass at the San Sebastián Metropolitan Cathedral to mark the beginning of the Month of Missions. He highlighted the Church's essential identity as a missionary body and called for the adoption of Franciscan spirituality to address contemporary issues such as violence and environmental degradation.

In Concepción, theologian Dietmar Müßig led a workshop focused on the international brotherhood between Germany and Bolivia. Drawing parallels to the historical unification of Germany, Müßig discussed how faith can bridge cultural and political divides. He also addressed the urgent need for environmental stewardship, referencing Pope Francis’s encyclical ‘Laudato si’ and contrasting the Western view of nature with the perspective of Bolivia's indigenous peoples, who view living beings as subjects of communication rather than mere resources.