Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Goa (Agenzia Fides) – Relaunching the challenge of formation and mission in Western India, for Christian community that is more alive and aware of the spirit it has...this was the conclusion of the recent Missionary Congress which was recently held in Goa, bringing together delegates from 15 dioceses of Western India.
The event was attended by nearly 500 people, including Bishops, theologians, priests, religious, and laity who discussed the challenges of the mission, in light of the Indian Missionary Congress scheduled to take place in Bombay, October 14-18, 2009.
Among the arguments that came out of the assembly was the urgent need to form the clergy, religious, and laity in order to strengthen the work of evangelization in India, as this is its task given by Christ Himself.
Numerous suggestions also came in regarding interreligious dialogue and relationships between Catholics and members of other religions, and fundamentalist groups who often carry out violence and aggression. Listening and prayer were indicated by the delegates as the basis of the mission, antidote to violence and instruments capable of building peace and harmony in society.
The Church of Western India has thus marked out the path of preparation for the first Missionary Congress. All the dioceses are working to offer reflection, suggestions, and projects to be included in the preparatory document for the Congress, which will mark out the challenges and proposals for the mission in the vast Indian nation. Each diocese has a Commission for the Missions which will meet to review the relationship between the clergy and the mission, religious and the mission, and the laity and the mission.
The initiative will be entitled “Yesu Mahotsav (Jesus Festival) – Let your light shine.” The Congress was held in the wake of the Asian Missionary Congress and has tried to update and contextualize the indications and challenges that have emerged in the great event celebrated by the Churches on the Asian continent in Thailand in 2006. (PA) (7/5/2009)
