AFRICA/CAMEROON - “Communion, the power behind mission in the Church in Africa” is the theme of a meeting for French speaking National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Africa which opens tomorrow in Yaounde

Yaounde (Fides Service) - On Tuesday 14 September in Yaounde Cameroon national directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in French speaking countries of Africa will start a meeting to reflect on the theme: “Communion, the power behind mission in the Church in Africa”. Besides national directors, Bishop national delegates for missions will also take part and from Rome there will be Father Fernando Galbiati, PIME Secretary general of the Pontifical Mission Society who is also secretary general ad interim of the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith and Sister Maria Teresa Crescini, of the international Secretariat for the Pontifical Mission Society for Holy Childhood.
National PMS offices in Africa are aware that missionary animation as part of the PMS charism enriches the Church and builds communion among the People of God, fostering spiritual and material solidarity. This meeting aims to increase awareness of the role of the PMS in view of building communion and mission in the Church in Africa. Bishop Antoine Ntalou of Garoua will open the meeting and Cardinal Christian Tumi, Archbishop of Douala will preside the opening Concelebration of Mass. Participants will listen to conferences on the nature and the goals of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Time will be given for sharing of experience of missionary animation in the different countries. The meeting will close on Sunday 19 September. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2004; Righe 18 - Parole 217)