Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Building Ecclesial Communion is the Key to Mission” is the title of the International Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies 2010, which opened today in Rome. The event is attended by 118 National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) from the five continents, who will remain in Rome until May 21, when the session ends with an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
Opening the pastoral session of the Assembly, which is held annually and presents the activities of the PMS, was Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, President of PMS, and Secretary Adjunct of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
"Just like at every turning point in history, we are facing a qualitative transformation of society, especially in the West, which is building its culture in isolation from God and Christ," the President stressed, adding that "the economic crisis has created masses of unemployed, even in industrialized countries.” Such phenomena "have an effect on the work of PMS and require serious reflection in order to continue to promote missionary work effectively," said Bishop Vacchelli.
The Archbishop, addressing the issues that affect the PMS, focused on the nature of the "Universal Solidarity Fund," which is like “the ABCs of the PMS” he said, "without which the POM would lose their raison d'être." He invited those present to always follow the criteria of "transparency, accountability, consistency, sense of justice" in the management of donations. "As the Assembly - he added - we must find the courage to rethink the ecclesial meaning, the mode and policy for distribution of donations in the context of evangelization today, especially in a local church that is inculturated," said the Archbishop. The Assembly will also discuss possible changes to the Statutes of the PMS and the attention to be given to the "Domus Missionalis," which governs international colleges in Rome, places of academic and spiritual formation for catechists and seminarians from around the world who are future leaders of local churches. "I hope ours is a prophetic and charismatic voice," said Archbishop Vacchelli, expressing his hopes for the fruits of this Assembly.
In subsequent talks, the National Directors of the PMS highlighted two fundamental problems: better defining the criteria for determining whether a local church or diocese may receive financial support from the PMS and revitalizing missionary activity and spirituality, even among Bishops, as this work will bear fruit in the missionary awareness of all the faithful.
In the second talk during the pastoral session, Fr. Timothy Lehane, Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith (POPF), outlined the life and spirituality of Pauline Jaricot, founder of the POPF, interpreting her message for today and reminding those present that going back to the roots and looking to the four founders of the PMS is a sure way to renew our missionary spirit and zeal. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/05/2010)
