Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) – February 17-19, in the formation house “Betania” in Quito, the annual meeting of the Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies was held, with the goal of “evaluating the celebration of CAM3, COMLA8, determining its repercussions in the local Churches, and seeing how they can give continuity to the All-American Missionary Congress in each Church jurisdiction,” says Osvaldo Fierro Teran, Secretary General of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the country.
“In spite of the difficult road conditions in the country,” the Secretary General explained, “18 of the 23 diocesan directors were able to attend the meeting, which shows a great missionary interest for their part and dedication to their service of missionary animation and formation in their local Churches – before, during, and after CAM3.”
In opening the yearly meeting, the theme (“Missionary challenges in Ecuador, at the light of the CAM3 Final Document) was presented by Father Joi Artienda, Provincial Superior of the Divine Word missionaries and former member of the Theological Commission of the American Missionary Congress. Fr. Joi enumerated the challenges of the Church in Ecuador after CAM3 and looking towards the Great Continental Mission that will soon be held in the country. He also reiterated the need to “place ourselves in a permanent state of mission” in order to continue preaching Christ in the world.
This event was followed by presentations of experiences from CAM3 on a local level, by several of the Directors. Later, Fr. Giovanni Paz, Director of the PMS in Ibarra gave a talk on “From a pastoral ministry of maintenance to a pastoral ministry of evangelization.”
In the group workshops held later, the Diocesan Directors dedicated their time to an evaluation of the entire process of preparation and celebration of the Congress. They noted the great missionary impulse that the local parishes had experienced as a result.
The main challenges seen were the need to continue working in the wake of the Congress, assuming the responsibility of study, reflection, etc. of the Final Document and preparation of Missionary Congresses on a diocesan level. They also called for help and collaboration in the Great Continental Mission and the formation of Missionary Training Centers in several dioceses.
A video series on CAM3 was also presented, allowing for a vivid memory of those intense missionary moments of August 2008.
The Animation Commission of the Archdiocese of Quito, which cooperated in the animation of CAM3, presented its project “Missionary Training Center.” The National Secretary of the Holy Childhood Association presented the main points for the celebration of the “First Holy Childhood Congress,” which is scheduled to take place in Ambato, July 10-12 of this year. And lastly, Fr. Lauren Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Magisterial Area of the Church for the Ecuadorian Bishops' Conference, shared some of the main points of the Great Continental Mission and invited all to collaborate in the important event. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2009)
