Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – After celebrating World Mission Sunday with great enthusiasm, Catholics in Pakistan took part in an encounter in preparation for the First Missionary Congress set to take place this December (see Fides 16/10/2008). The program, organized in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Pakistan, was entitled: “Saint Paul, guide for evangelization,” and used Letters of Saint Paul to analyze his missionary work and apply it to the context of modern Pakistani society. Emphasis was placed on the methodology of the mission, pointing out how Saint Paul established contact and personal relationships, as well as encounters in the community, in addition to prayer and preaching in the churches.
Another theme discussed was “the Christocentric evangelization” of the Apostle to the Gentiles. “It is urgent that as Christians we bear witness to the life and story of Jesus in Pakistan,” said Fr. Mario Rodriguez, National Director of the PMS, recalling the theme of the First Missionary Congress (Telling Jesus' Story in Pakistan.”
The Congress will examine the various attributes of the mission. The laity, especially, according to the Bishops, are necessary in the work of evangelization. They should be well-formed, as there is a vast area they can cover. In addition to primary evangelization (especially among the tribes), they teach religion classes in the Catholic schools, which are very esteemed in the country. The Church is present in the health and social fields as well (with hospitals, clinics, health centers, houses for the elderly, homeless, and disabled, many of which are run by religious congregations.
The Catholics there are also very active in cultural awareness and campaigns for human rights, democratic principles, and the promotion of human dignity for all Pakistani citizens. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2008)
