Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides)- “The Fidei Donum Encyclical of which we are celebrating the 50th anniversary is one of the most popular and it focuses almost exclusively on Africa” Mgr Hypolite Adigwe, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Nigeria said in his intervention when he addressed participants at the first National Mission Congress in Nigeria (see Fides 4 October 2007).
Mgr. Adigwe recalls the historic circumstances which convinced the Supreme Pontiff to introduce the figure of the Fidei Donum priest: “The Pope acknowledged that the Church had made tremendous progress, and said that Christians have cause to rejoice. “However, one must not allow the prodigious success of missionary effort, that We allude to here, to cause him to forget that ‘what still remains to be done demands an immense amount of work and countless workers.’ And although some might rashly conclude that once a Hierarchy has been established there is no further need for the work of the missionaries, yet We Ourselves are greatly troubled by Our ‘solicitude for all the Churches’ of that vast continent”.
The National Director recalls the concerns of Pope Pius XII for the future of evangelisation in Africa: the continent's rapid political and social evolution (“You cannot fail to be aware of the extraordinarily difficult circumstances under which the Church in Africa is striving nowadays to forward her work among the heathen multitudes. In fact the greater part of Africa is undergoing such speedy changes in social, economic, and political life that the entire future of that continent appears to depend upon their outcome.” He spoke as if time were already running out: “Any delay or hesitation is full of danger. For the people of Africa have made as much progress toward civilization during the past few decades as required many centuries among the nations of Western Europe. Thus they are more easily unsettled and confused by the introduction of theoretical and applied scientific methods, with the result that they tend to be unduly inclined to a materialistic outlook on life. Hence a condition of affairs is sometimes brought about that is difficult to correct and in the course of time may prove to be a great obstacle to the growth of faith, whether in individuals or in society at large. For this reason it is imperative that help should be given now to the shepherds of the Lord's flock in order that their apostolic labours may correspond to the ever-growing needs of the times.”).
Mgr. Adigwe recalls the Pius XII presented a solution with three elements: personal and community prayer; financial assistance for young Churches Chiese (“in this regard Pius XII has special words of praise for the Pontifical Mission Societies”); supply missionaries. “This - says Mgr. Adigwe- was seen as the principal solution. Sending missionaries This appears to be the key issue of this encyclical, or at least what created the scenario from which the now popular Fidei Donum priests took the name from the title of the encyclical.”.
“The dioceses of Nigeria have benefited from the programme. Happily, many dioceses have also joined in sending diocesan priests to other dioceses, both within and outside Nigeria. How can this be more encouraged, and better coordinated”. The national PMS director for Nigeria, says that in the present situation Nigerian Fidei Donum missionaries can be a resource for the Nigerian Diaspora. “ What pastoral plan can we develop for those sons and daughters of ours in diaspora?” Mgr Adigwe asks calling for reflection on how to improve the formation of missionaries in order to respond to this new challenge for evangelisation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2007 righe 40 parole 515)
