How was the meeting with Pope Francis last September (19)?
Francis’ style allows a meeting without special formalities, so it has been a fraternal and simple conversation about the Diocese and the Church in Chile. It took place in his office in the house of Santa Marta, without the usual protocols that normally place the Pope in a sphere of power. I was aware that my appointment had passed through him, so it was good that I could inform him of what is happening in the Diocese.
What do you consider the Pope is most concerned about regarding the current situation of the Chilean Church?
I think that at this moment he is concerned about the appointment of bishops and how to put in place a more systematic and synodal episcopate that has effectively undergone an earthquake since May 2018. We are currently 9 apostolic administrators and 1 diocesan administrator; 4 of the 10 are not bishops. There are ten vacant seats out of a total 25 local Churches.
Aside from the bishops, I believe that Francis wants a Church that he proposed in Evangelii Gaudium: one that is missionary, stepping out, open to pastoral conversion, and open-hearted like a mother. A Church that takes control of the crisis caused by clerical abuses.
You have served a year as Apostolic Administrator in the Diocese, what is your evaluation of this service?
I arrived at a place I didn't know anything about, I had hardly ever passed through the city. So much of my work has been to visit parishes, meet with groups and movements, talk with priests, etc.
Along the way, working with teams, we were able to begin the process of renewal and establish some pastoral guidelines, to give a framework that guides and drives us; and little by little we are looking to implement some initiatives in formation, in pastoral ministry and in pastoral animation, etc. We have also been able to strengthen the management team that coordinates the life of the schools.
An important task has been to carry out previous investigations and administrative criminal proceedings related to cases of abuse. They are slow procedures and it is difficult to find canonists. At the moment two criminal proceedings are under way, hopefully the last ones.
How then do I evaluate this year? I am trying to make the service the best that I can, with the equipment and resources that the Diocese has, and I trust in God that we are making good progress. Each can do his part and God will do his own.
In particular, what has cost you the most in this period?
It is difficult to begin a service without knowing anyone, but I trust the co-workers and I have found people willing. Although I am inclined to autonomy, I need people to help in a task like this.
Another difficult thing is the handling of expectations. Since the Diocese was in a crisis situation, much is expected of the new leader and, sometimes, he is expected to resolve everything soon, using his authority. Authoritarianism is criticized, but at the same time people want the new leader to dismiss some people, hire others and decide things that are actually not within your competence. One has to be very focused so as not to fall into that game and, at the same time, know how to endure the criticism of those who feel disappointed.
And it has also been strange to live alone, without the religious community. For now, I do not see it as advisable to live with other priests and there are not many possibilities. I miss the understanding of mission that is born out of the community.
What is the Church of your dreams, Sergio?
There is a more pressing dream that has to do with the crisis situation. I would like a Church more reconciled with the victims, less controversial and more credible. A Church less trapped in the whole area of abuse, a church that is more joyful and engaged in the diverse testimonies of the gospel. Today we are sad, contained and kind of caught.
In other dreams, I would like a Church that reaches out to all generations, to children, to young people, to adults and to the elderly - a Church of families. A Church in which there is a better connection between the proclamation of the gospel and the current culture. Children and young people are distant from the Church today and the culture in Chile is very secularized. And what motivates me is that people encounter the God of Jesus Christ and from there build community.
Would you like to continue serving the pilgrim Church in Chillán?
Since I have assumed this position, I know that it is a provisional service, with an end date. Whether it's for me to continue in this service is something I don’t know. However, the important thing is that the Diocese will have a bishop in the coming months, because it is a sacramental sign for the local Church. This is also the understanding of the Pope.
Thinking long term about serving the Church in this way is not easy, because it is an arduous work, which is carried out in the midst of limitations and tensions, and in my case at some distance from the religious community. But we have to think about God's people, how important it is to accompany them with responsibility and an evangelical spirit. If it is for me to continue, I'll be there; if not, the Congregation can count on me.