Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - The National Council for the Pontifical Mission Societies in Zambia took place from 20-23 January 2010 in Lusaka. According to a notice sent to Agenzia Fides from Fr. Bernard Makadani Zulu, National Director of the PMS in Zambia, the meeting brought together the National Director and all Diocesan PMS Directors, as well as Msgr. Fabrice Rivet, the Secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature for Malawi and Zambia, who acknowledge all those with whom we have been able to live an experience of communion and sharing in the same mission.
The participants reflected on the pastoral significance of the PMS, seeing how the Pontifical Mission Societies continue to contribute to the growth and maturation of faith. The delegates reflected and planned together, examining how to enhance animation activities. They also suggested initiatives to be carried out, recommended guidelines to be followed, and suggested how best to coordinate various animation activities. At the close of the meeting, the Directors came up with strategies for the missionary campaign and programs for both animation and fundraising.
The PMS Council discussed at length the contribution of the Pontifical Mission Society of the Propagation of Faith to the life of the Church, as a follow up reflecting on the resolution of the National Directors of English Speaking Africa (see Fides 30/10/2009) to suggest ways how we can vigorously promote the Society of the Propagation of Faith including outside the World Mission Sunday celebration.
In Zambia, the support for the Propagation of Faith is strong in the sense that many dioceses participate in the celebration of the World Mission Sunday, but there is no other collections beyond this or missionary activities to promote the Society. There are many who do not have the knowledge of the spiritual dimension of the Pontifical Mission Society of the Propagation of Faith as a concrete response in a spiritual inner journey, apart from the subsidies they give. There is certainly a need to emphasize missionary prayer in the promotion of the Society.
The delegates also determined partners in the Society's mission, drafted a plan of action, and have decided to set aside material aid for animation activity (i.e. Pope’s Message for World Mission Sunday, Cooperatio Missionalis, The PMS Statutes, Redemptoris Missio, and all other national and diocesan publications). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/1/2010)
