Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – On May 19-21, the National Days for Diocesan Mission Delegates and the National Assembly of National Directors of the PMS were held in Madrid. In addition to the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain, Archbishop Francisco Perez and Subdirector, Fr. Anastasio Gil Garcia, the Bishops of the Missions and Church Cooperation Committee, also present were members of the National Missions Council and the Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome, Fr. Timothy Lehane Barrett, SVD.
The Day were presented by Bishop Ramon del Hoyo Lopez of Jaen, President of the Bishops' Missions and Church Cooperation Committee, who pointed out the importance of these Days during the Year of Saint Paul. “Growing in the missionary vocation is the challenge presented by the Year of Saint Paul, especially for the participants of the Days and the Assembly Delegates for the Missions, and the Directors of the PMS from across Spain,” the President of the Bishops' Missions Committee.
During the first day, the Bishop of Bilbao and Vice-President of the Spanish Bishops' Conference (CEE), Bishop Ricardo Blazquez, reflected on the Pastoral Instruction “The Actuality of the Mission Ad Gentes in Spain,” which was approved by the CEE's Plenary Assembly in November 2008 (see Fides 27/2/2009), and Bishop Ramon del Hoyo presented the Plan from his Committee for the 2008-2011 term, which responds to the suggestions for activity that the Bishops presented in the Instruction.
On May 20, at 12 noon, the National Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies was inaugurated by Archbishop Francisco Perez of Pamplona-Tudela, National Director of PMS in Spain. Fr. Anastasio Gil, presented the Records from the 2008-2009 academic year. In the afternoon, there was a presentation of the Economic Records and then Missions Delegate from Merid-Badajoz, Juan Antonio Calderon, spoke on the “Reflection and Missionary Animation. Academic Year 2009-2010.”
The PMS Director thanked the “generous dedication and fidelity” of all the directors and collaborators, which are “a sign of a job well done” and encouraged them to continue showing this zeal for the mission and the Holy Spirit to society. Fr. Anastasio Gil commented on the most important aspects of the PMS activities, arranged in 4 groups: animation, information, formation, and cooperation.
As for animation, the Vice-Director mentioned the “positive experience” of the days held in the different areas and the positive response that the National Days for DOMUND, Native Vocations, and Holy Childhood, and others continue to witness, and how the various other activities “continue growing.” As for the III National Encounter of the Holy Childhood Association (see Fides 16/4/2009; 5/5/2009), recently celebrated, he pointed out the importance of the 5-year program for the children in the years to come.
He also mentioned the work carried out by the PMS in promoting the activities through news services and the web page, as well as on Radio Maria, etc.
Within the area of formation, the PMS has carried out various activities for youth ministers, priests and seminarians, religious, the elderly, young people, children, and families. In collaboration with the Missions' Committee, there are various works such as Missions Manuals, etc. that have been published.
Lastly, in the part dedicated to cooperation, the PMS Records show spiritual cooperation through the Mass for Evangelization of Peoples, the Missionary Rosary, the “Prayers for the Missionary Child” and other activities. Among the initiatives at the service of economic cooperation, there are the scholarships for the native vocations, donations, etc. to help missionaries.
At the close of the National Assembly, the participants showed their firm adhesion to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI and showed the positive communication and communion present among the Bishop-members of the Missions' Committee. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2009)
