EUROPE/SPAIN - “Many young people in mission territories feel the call to dedicate their life to Jesus Christ and we must assure them adequate formation!” - Local Vocations Day May 1st

Friday, 29 April 2005

Madrid (Fides Service) - “Vocations in mission lands are precious for the Church and for society” national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain and military ordinary Archbishop Francisco Pérez said in an interview given on the occasion of Local Vocations Day May 1st celebrated by the Church in Spain. The slogan - “Local vocations enrichment of young Churches” - intends to underline that vocations at the service of the Gospel are the best indicator of the vitality and maturity of a Christian community and that the when the Lord calls people from a community it is a sign that it has welcomed the Gospel.
The campaign has several aims: promote among Christians joy and gratitude for increasing vocations in mission territories; increase in Christian communities responsibility to promote and support vocations in mission territories; assure spiritual and material aid for mission Churches all year round through the Pontifical Mission Society St Peter Apostle.
In a report issued for the occasion the Pontifical Mission Societies Office in Spain said the number of priests and seminarians in Africa has risen (1997 to 2002 increase of 14% equal to + 3,995 priests) and in Asia (12% equal to + 5,349 priests). Each year the Church establishes 20 new dioceses. In 2004 total sum of offerings from Catholics in Spain to the Pontifical Mission Society St Peter Apostle was 16% higher than the previous year. During the past year the Pontifical Mission Society St Peter Apostle assisted 79,2790 seminarians, 3,856 men novices 7,010 women novices in their first year, besides assisting retired and infirm priests, religious and clergy in formation and other special aid.
In the report Bishop Pérez said “Many young people in mission territories feel the call to dedicate their life to Jesus Christ” unlike the “vocations freeze” in Europe. “Catholic communities in Africa, Asia and America are growing. Local vocations are precious for society and for the Church. and we must assure them adequate formation!”. The national director of the PMS concludes with a call to “pray without ceasing for vocations to the consecrated life and the priesthood”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2005, righe 29, parole 315)


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