Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kaohsiung (Agenzia Fides) – The second national meeting of the Volunteers of the Pontifical Mission Societies was held September 11 and 12 in the city of Kaohsiung, in the south of Taiwan. Over 110 participants from all over the island came together to learn more about the four Pontifical Mission Societies and then return to their respective parishes and be an inspiration to other faithful. As Fr. Felice Chech, Camillian priest and National Director of the PMS in Taiwan, told Fides, it was seen that because of the various pastoral commitments the parish priests sometimes do not give enough importance to these activities. The volunteer should, therefore, seek to collaborate with the pastor to help the messages or celebrations proposed by PMS be valued and attended by a large number of faithful. The two-day meeting of the volunteers concluded with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Liu of Kaohsiung.
There is also a campaign taking place for sponsorship of seminarians from the poorest dioceses. In Taiwan, the vocations, due to the small percentage of believers (1% of the population) are few, so missionaries are still needed. Many of them now come from Vietnam, the Philippines, India, or other countries that have an abundance of vocations, but struggle to provide training for candidates for the priesthood due to the scarce economic possibilities. This is another way to experience the Universal Church and help vocations from poor economic situations.
In view of the celebration of World Mission Sunday, some dioceses in Taiwan are preparing missionary prayer vigils, using the Message from the Holy Father and the Rite of the Liturgy of the Word, which was distributed to all the parishes. (FC/SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/09/2010)
