VATICAN - Study Seminar for newly appointed Bishops - The Pontifical Mission Societies, “a central pillar of the bridge which the Church is building towards peoples and religions through evangelisation and dialogue”: Father Fernando Galbiati, PIME

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “The existence and the activity of the Pontifical Mission Societies are an important reality in the Church today” said Father Fernando Galbiati, PIME, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union and ad interim of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, on September 6 when he addressed bishops taking part in a study seminary organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
Tracing the history of the PMS, “charismatic organisations”, he defined them, Fr. Galbiati said, “the Church’s main concern is not so much to provide material aid for the missions, but rather the missionary animation and formation of the People of God”. The Pontifical Mission Societies’ activities of missionary animation are always oriented to specific objectives: inform and form the People of God with regard to the Church’s universal mission. “The existence in the Church of the PMS and their necessity and importance are unquestionable” Fr. Galbiati said quoting Church documents.
To explain how the PMS were formed, Father Galbiati described the historical and religious context in which they were born and some aspects of their development, presenting separately each of the four Mission Societies which, in 1922 became officially part of the organisation of the Church and received the title of Pontifical. Concluding the history, development and activity of the PMS, Fr Galbiati stressed two considerations: the enormous responsibility entrusted to the PMS for missionary animation throughout the Church missionary by nature, and the importance of the PMS for the economic contribution they offer for the work of evangelisation. “The present missionary situation demonstrates that the PMS are the central pillar of the bridge which the Church is building towards peoples and religions through evangelisation and dialogue. In effect they represent the main source of help, including social and economic aid, which the Church offers all peoples, regardless of ethnic origin or religion”. After Fr Galbiati it was Ms Silvia Recchi, Directress of the department for Canon Law at the Catholic Institute in Yaounde, Cameron, who spoke about self-funding and management of resources in the young Churches of Africa. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/9/2004; Righe 28 - Parole 365)