Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santa Cruz (Agenzia Fides) – There will be 22 countries represented at the Seventh Continental Meeting of PMS National Directors in America, to be held in the city of Santa Cruz (Bolivia), from 14 to 19 March at the John XXIII House for Spiritual Exercises. According to information sent to Fides by the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as at similar meetings in the past, this meeting also provides spaces for sharing, dialogue, listening and participation, in the context of missionary and pastoral care work, which are the fundamental characteristics of these appointments.
Currently, Bolivia is particularly affected by the consequences of natural phenomena (floods and torrential rain), giving rise to solidarity from other nations. “I think that in the dynamics of our missionary work, we can not ignore these events and it is also important to respond to such disasters in a timely and effective manner to alleviate the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters,” said Sister Cilenia Rojas, the National Coordinator for Missions. “These facts should encourage acts of solidarity and set in motion the ability for human sharing to be able to give what we have to those in need right now.”
There are four topics on the agenda for the Seventh Meeting of the Continental PMS: The reality of Bolivia and the pastoral care and missionary activity of the Church; The parish and the mission; St Peter Apostle and the mission; Towards CAM 4-COMLA 9.
Each theme is intended to provide a line of work that will be enriched by the contributions of the participants. The first topic will be presented by Fr José Fuentes, Secretary for Pastoral Care of the Episcopal Conference of Bolivia. The second theme will be presented by Bishop Sergio Gualberti, Auxiliary Bishop of Santa Cruz and the third by Msgr. Jan Dumon, Secretary General of the Pontifical Society of St Peter Apostle. The fourth theme follows the work program of the Continental PMS in preparation for CAM 4 and the IX Latin American Missionary Congress (COMLA 9). Therefore, Venezuela, where the 2012 program will take place, will demonstrate the organisational aspects. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 11/03/2011)
