Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - The Pontifical Missionary Societies of Zambia held their National Meeting in Lusaka February 5-6, for a study of the PMS Statutes, according to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides by Fr. Bernard Makandi Zulu, Director of PMS in Zambia.
The meeting brought together diocesan directors, priests, religious, and laity to discuss and plan the organisation of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Zambia. “I believe that this meeting will equip us with methods and materials for missionary animation, and help us to venture into activities that will help to awaken, enliven and support the missionary efforts of the church. This will help us to develop a mentality, criteria and attitude in tune with Jesus Christ, who helps us to live the missionary communion and accompany us with his light and strength in pursuit of our mission,” said Bishop Emilio Patriarca, Bishop of Monze and President of the Episcopal Commission for Mission for the Zambia Episcopal Conference, in his opening speech.
The Bishop insisted that “...the role of the Pontifical Mission Societies is ever more urgent and demanding. And this role is to orient the whole ecclesial community towards missionary cooperation and thus have every diocese and every person in the church involved in the church’s missionary effort. Remembering the words of Pope John Paul II, that “the number of those awaiting Christ is immense” (RM 86), the responsibility of the Pontifical Mission Societies is all the greater, requiring much creativity and generosity to reach out to all sections of the community - parishes, movements, organisation, apostolic works, schools, departments, committees, commissions, councils etc - so that Christ be made known to all.”
“This PMS National meeting,” the Bishop continued, “is a privileged time of sharing your various experiences and to grow in communion with one another. It is also an occasion to reflect on the universal nature of missionary animation and cooperation to widen out our horizons beyond our local situation and to feel part of the universal church. It is important that all Catholics play their part in contributing, both spiritually and materially, to the universal mission.”
At the close of his speech, Bishop Patriarca invited the participants of the meeting to discuss the Statutes of the PMS, to “study and understand the history, the nature, the juridical standing and the functioning of the Pontifical Mission Societies, but also, and above all, to decide on the practical steps to promote the aims of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which are stressed so strongly every year in the Holy Father’s Messages for the World Mission Sunday.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2008 righe 34, parole 425)
