Bishops Jose Guadalupe Torres and Mark Seitz meet for the “Encuentro”
“Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Man” — that was the message of Monday’s Encuentro at the Sante Fe Bridge. It’s annual meeting between the mayors of El Paso and Juarez.
Mayor of El Paso, Oscar Leeser and the Mayor of Ciudad Juarez Lic. Javier Gonzalez Mockens canceled, but the crowds still came out for the borderland’s bishops.
At the center of the Santa Fe Bridge, traffic stopped, pedestrians stood watching. Crowds of on-lookers strained to hear the message from Juarez Bishop Jose Guadalupe Torres and El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz.
“Para expresar la unidad de dos paises, pero de un solo pueblo,” said Bishop Jose Guadalupe Torres (“We are here to express the unity of two countries, but a single community.”)
The Encuentro, or meeting, is usually between the mayor of El Paso and Juarez. It’s focus is to represent the continuous friendship between the United States and Mexico.
“This is a beautiful time for us to speak about not the things that divide us, which so often become the focus of our conversations our news but rather to talk about the things that truly unite us,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz.
Seitz said geography, economy, and family are all examples. Another is Pope Francis visiting Juarez in February.
“Yo les digo que nos preparemos para escuchar con el corazon y la mente,” Torres said (“My message to the faithful is to get ready to listen with an open heart and an open mind.”).
From a state prison to the business community, while in Juarez Pope Francis will speak to prisoners, members of the maquiladora industry and thousands of Catholics, his message expected to focus on immigration among other topics that affect communities living on the El Paso-Juarez border. His approaching visit giving the Encuentro that much more significance.
“In a way it has more significance in the sense that perhaps the pope chose to come here because of who we are,” Seitz said. “Secondly, it has significance at this moment because I think we’re all going to be on our best behavior. We’re going to highlight the best aspects of our communities. Sure, we have struggles like any family, but ultimately we come together. And I think you’re going to see that as we prepare for the Pope’s visit and we celebrate that day.”
The crowds that stopped traffic on the bridge today is only a taste of what’s to come Feb. 17 when the Pope arrives.
For more information on his visit and all things Pope Francis, click here.
