Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Fides Service) - The Congregation of the Christian Brothers has decided to give new impulse to evangelisation with new missions in Asia and Oceania, focussing on service to the poor. This was announced by Brother Philip Pinto, Superior General who explained in a letter addressed to the Brothers in Australia, that “the service of education we offer in many places is often well supported by others including the state”.
Brother Pinto called on the Brothers of the south west Australia Province to undertake new missionary commitments, he said: “the challenge for us today Brothers is to concentrate our efforts in areas where there is mot need opening new missions in Asia e Oceania”, especially in areas where poverty is endemic and the Brothers’ presence could contribute towards social, economic, cultural and spiritual development of large sectors of society.
As an example he mentioned the southern Philippines Island of Mindanao where millions of people fight poverty every day. However the Brothers will also consider Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. The Christian Brothers of the Indian province, Brother Philip told his confreres, plan to open a mission in Myanmar and he said that if on the one hand service of education must not be neglected, the urgency to relieve poverty, demands special effort of evangelisation and care for the poorest of the poor and the marginalised.
Brother Pinto said that this type of ministry, inspired by the Good Samaritan attracts young people and starts them on a path of vocational discernment, testifying disinterested gift of self.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/7/2004 lines 25 words 245)
