AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Third National Missionary Congress in preparation for the CAM 3, to spread missionary awareness among the baptized; commencement of the National Missionary Project, promoted by the Plenary Council

Tuesday, 8 April 2008

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - With the theme, “Venezuela, now is the time to be missionary apostles,” the Third National Missionary Congress (CONAMI) will be held April 9-13. The event is being organized by the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference (CEV), the National Missionary Council (COMINA), and the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in promotion of the evangelization responsibility of all baptized, in Venezuela and elsewhere outside the country. The Congress will take place in the school of San Jose de Tarbes, in Caracas.
The Congress has been organized following the Plenary Council of Venezuela, where the need was seen to spread missionary awareness in the Church, in all the national sectors, in preparation for the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM 3) that will be celebrated in August in Quito (Ecuador).
According to the event’s organizers, there are an estimated 1000 participants expected to arrive from the various Venezuelan dioceses, including religious, catechists, seminarians, youth, lay faithful, priests, and bishops, who will come in representation of Venezuela’s many congregations, movements, educational institutions, and groups who work at the service of the Gospel and the formation of missionaries.
Since August 2007, various “pre-Congresses” have been taking place throughout the country’s dioceses, allowing children, young people, and adults to join in the planning of the 3rd CONAMI, with their reflections on discipleship as presented in the Gospel according to St. Mark and workshops on missionary planning for the country. The Congress seeks to, among other goals: create awareness in the communities of the love of God that engenders personal commitment; spread missionary awareness among local Churches; give structure to the National Missionary Project; update the proposals for missionary formation in seminaries, formation houses, and among the laity; form Diocesan Missionary Councils and strengthen the PMS in the local Churches; and strengthen the National Missionary Council (COMINA).
In the proposed itinerary for the Third Congress, there are talks, forums, and workshops that are all centered on the missionary aspect of the Church. There will also be guest speakers who will offer their testimonies of experience on missions in Venezuela and elsewhere in the world.
According to Father Jose Rafael Romero, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Venezuela and Executive Director of the Missionary Congress, “through a reflection on the documents from the Plenary Council and the pastoral ministry programs in the various dioceses, the guidelines for a structure and driving force behind the National Missionary Project will take shape, and thus, we will arrive at the goal of the Third CONAMI - ‘Awaken in all baptized the desire to be disciples and missionaries for the mission ad gentes.’ The moment has come for Venezuelans to take action in evangelizing, with their generous contribution of missionaries capable of breaking down barriers and responding to the call of the Kingdom of God.”
Catholics will be able to participate in the Congress in its various activities. There will be an opening Faith Walk from Chacaito to Florida, beginning at 3pm, in which different apostolic groups, movements, religious congregations, and lay faithful from the region’s capital are expected to participate. The opening Mass will be held in Saint Jude Thaddeus Parish in Florida and will be presided by the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Giacinto Berloco, at 6pm. From Thursday until Saturday, the Expoferia Venezuela Misionera 2008 will take place in the school buildings, with booths displaying the evangelization work of the Church throughout the country. On Saturday, beginning at 2pm their will be a youth concert and theatrical performances. The closing of the Congress will take place on Sunday at 11am with a special Mass. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2008; righe 49, parole 593)


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