Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Burgos (Agenzia Fides) - Conscious of its missionary responsibility, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Spain never ceases to call attention to mission needs in Asia and in Africa, both in its Action Plan and through its Commission for Missions. The Action Plan aims to "to study and inform on the situation of missionary activity and the needs in Asia and Africa to encourage personal, economic and spiritual cooperation to help these continents". This was affirmed by deputy national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain Rev. Anastasio Gil García, head of the office of the Bishops' Missions Commission, during a Missiology Week held in Burgos 9 to 13 July on the theme "Africa, a challenge for the world and the Church" (see Fides 4/7/2007). Rev. Anastasio dwelt briefly on the aid offered by Spanish institutions in funds and personnel to the continent of Africa in 2006, "not to mention private cooperation as for example religious congregations for their respective missions and contributions from dioceses in a system of twinning".
With regard to economic aid Rev Gil said "the Church in Spain through its institutions has collaborated generously to promote development and for the needs of missionary and pastoral activity". Among the aid given by institutions connected with the Church he mentioned Manos Unidas NGO which in 2006, supported 337 projects for promotion and development for 16.006.397,67 Euro for the benefit of 16.866.695 people. PMS supported mainly pastoral programmes to announce the Gospel and celebrate the faith. In 2006 the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith offered 7.508229,74 Euro to support 12 projects; the Pontifical Society Holy Childhood offered 1.934.425,28 Euro to support 34 projects and the Pontifical Society St Peter Apostle supported 3 projects with 789.472,79 Euro. In addition to this 4.000.000Euro were offered to support the formation of priests from mission territories studying in Rome. Caritas Spain supported 42 projects with 6.579.161,49 Euro. The “New Evangelisation Fund” gave 448.000 Euro to sustain 38 pastoral projects.
Rev. Anastasio Gil said that without a doubt "the best way to cooperate is to send missionaries". Exact figures are difficult to collect but at present in Africa there are an estimated 2,300 (12 per cent of Spain's missionaries) Spanish missionaries in 44 of its 54 countries and they belong to 101 congregations of women religious and 34 congregations of men religious and 15 associations of priests or lay people. Also today there are 13 Spanish born Bishops serving the local Churches in Africa. Six are religious, serving in 6 Apostolic Vicariates Apostolici, 3 are Apostolic Nuncios, 3 belong to IEME and 1 is a Fidei Donum priest. In Africa there are also lay Spaniards inserted in the Coordination of the Association of Lay Missionaries: 6 lay persons members of Ecumene in D. Congo, 3 Juventudes Marianas Vicencianas in Mozambique, 3 Comboni missionaries in Central African Republic and 2 OCASHA in Angola.
The Church in Spain, starting from these realities, supports various activities such as relations among Christian communities in Africa and Spain, giving importance to missionaries; looking towards the 2nd Synod of Bishops for Africa as a point of reference; support better knowledge of Catholic Social Doctrine and to evangelise political structures; foster exchange of personnel - priests, religious lay person, working for mission on both continents. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/7/2007; righe 48, parole 660)
