EUROPE/GERMANY - “Living mission - daring to meet others”: German PMS launches mission campaign for October 2004 to encourage Catholics to go out and meet people who are different, Muslims especially.

Aachen (Fides Service) - “Living mission - daring to meet others” is the theme of a campaign launched in view of the missionary month of October 2004 by the national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Germany “missio” in collaboration with the national Association of Catholic Women KDF. The campaign urges German Catholics and in particular parishes, to regard people of other religions, Muslims in particular, in a ‘new way’.
“Mission is not a unilateral process or a monologue, it is reaching out to people of other beliefs respectfully and without prejudice” says National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Germany Father Hermann Schalück, OFM. “For a long time now in our country Muslims are no longer guests they are citizens with the same rights as us and they participate in the life of our society”. There are about 3 million Muslims in Germany and they are the largest group with a different culture and religion.
Initiatives for the missionary month planned by Missio and KDF include prayers on the theme “Peace for those near and far, Christians and Muslims. “In a world in the grip of terror our intention is to highlight what unites us and to demonstrate that peace is possible”, the organisers say.
The missionary month reaches its climax on Mission Sunday, this year 24 October, always celebrated with enthusiasm with special Masses and collections all over Germany. Money collected on this annual day goes to support the Catholic Church’s numerous missionary programmes all over the world which include initiatives of interreligious dialogue.
Other events organised by missio during the month of October include parish visits by missionaries. In effect missio has arranged for missionaries home on leave from their posts in mission countries to visit parishes to talk about their work and the situation and needs of the people they care for. Missio has also invited the al Hardini Choir from Lebanon to make a tour in various German dioceses to share part of the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East. The choir’s repertoire includes ancient Maronite Christian hymns.
Missio October plans include a youth campaign “Appreciate instead of judging” which encourages young people to go to people of a different religion or culture who live near them and ask to interview them. “Our aim is to challenge young Christians to dare to approach people who are different”, Father Schalück explained. For smaller children missio has organised a “One World Week” for children at elementary school and kindergarten. The theme chosen is “Jerusalem” and Missio has produced special material suitable for this age group. (MS) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2004 - righe 31 parole 404)