Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Munich (Agenzia Fides) - From May 12 to 16, Munich will be hosting the 2nd Ecumenical Day for Churches (Ökumenischer Kirchentag). The national leadership of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Germany, "Missio," is present with over 40 initiatives which aim to illustrate the Church's work in the fight against AIDS, its commitment to human rights and peaceful dialogue among religions, as well as the ecumenical effort against youth violence in South Africa. Moreover, at the invitation of "Missio," there are many partners of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the world involved in the Ecumenical Day for Churches in Germany, including the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq, His Excellency Archbishop Georges Casmoussa (see Fides 05/12/2010).
On the eve of the important ecumenical event, "Missio" in Munich has also inaugurated its new offices in Munich, presenting an exhibition on the life of people living in countries where the PMS implement their projects.
On the meaning of ecumenism for the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Germany, the National Director of Missio Munich, Fr. Eric Englert (OSA), said: "I am very pleased that at Missio there is a long and established tradition of collaboration with our Protestant ecumenical partners and charitable works of the German Lutheran Church. We try to uphold that fraternal cooperation in our initiatives for the Ecumenical Day for Churches, also."
Among the guests of the "Day," were the President of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Estergom-Budapest. In his homily at the Mass celebrated at St. Michael's Church in Munich yesterday afternoon, May 14, the Cardinal noted that "the mission of the apostles and the Christians is not a human work." Thus, "we cannot assume that the success of the Church's mission is merely the result of the knowledge and commitment of men." He then invited everyone to pray "so that with the light and power of the Holy Spirit, through our service to the missions and pastoral work among different peoples and communities, we can truly be an authentic sign and instrument of God's saving love." (MS) (Agenzia Fides 05/15/2010)
