EUROPE/POLAND - IACM Missiological Conference and Third Plenary Assembly: Indian Divine Word Missionary Fr Lazarus Stanislaus Thanizraj elected new President

Pieniezno (Agenzia Fides) - The International Association of Catholic Missiologists (IACM) hold a missiological conference from August 28 to September 2 at the SVD Seminary in Pieniężno, Poland. The theme of the conference was : Sharing the Good News in the Interaction of Cultures : « The Word of God grew and multiplied » (Act 12 : 24). The 66 participants, from 20 nations of all continents, shared the fruits of their research on how intercultural relations challenge the experience, understanding and expression of the Christian faith in their particular context. The missiological implications of the actual interaction of cultures were identified in four main areas of concern : integral healing and reconciliation, cultural globalisation and asserting identity, migration, intercultural communication in the Church.
Following the conference, the Third IACM Plenary Assembly discussed how to promote its activities at the regional level and a new Executive Board was elected for 2007-2010 : President : Lazar Stanislaus Thanuzraj SVD (India) Vice-President : Nicanor Sarmiento Tupayupanqui OMI (USA) Executive Secretary : François Jacques (Canada) Treasurer : Andrzej Pietrzak SVD (Poland). Continental Representatives : Africa : Joseph Ndi-Okalla (Cameroon) Asia : Andrew Gimenez Recepcion (Philippines) Europe : Wojciech Kluj OMI (Poland) Latin America : Roberto Tomichá Charupá (Bolivia) North America : Kevin J. Hanlon MM (USA)
The purpose of the IACM is to promote missiological research, studies and educational activities and encourage collaboration among Catholic missiologists. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2007; righe 20, parole 248)