Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lisbon (Fides Service) - An International Congress on New Evangelisation ICNE with a full agenda held in Lisbon with the theme “The Living Christ” came to an end on Sunday 13 November. “The Congress 6-13 November was organised by the Patriarchate of Lisbon through its commission for mission animation headed by the diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies and in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Societies National offices” the national director Fr Manuel Durães Barbosa, CSSp, told Fides.
The various activities and initiatives helped the participants to reflect on the proclamation of the Living Christ to the men and women of today. Themes of over 40 workshops included: Church and Culture; Church and Social Communications, Mission Ad Gentes, Being Christians at work; health pastoral care and pro-life activity; Art; Education; Social pastoral care, Pastoral care for Migrants; pastoral care for the armed forces; in prisons; youth pastoral; university pastoral. Participants also listened to testimonials from missionaries in various fields and sectors.
The themes of the workshops concerning the PMS were the following: Back from Africa - looking at the Church with new eyes; laity for development; The Pontifical Mission Societies; Mission and Solidarity (ONGD - Sol Senza Frontiere); Life Given (Spiritan Memories); Evangelisation Culture Foundation; Missionary Animation (Missionary Institutes Ad Gentes); Lisbon on Mission; youth mission volunteers without frontiers; Mission in Mozambique.
Each work shop, with between 15 and 20 participants, consisted of a testimonial, discussion and reflection on ways for evangelisation. The aim was to promote “a living sense of faith” and discover how to bear witness to the encounter with God and the good news of the Gospel in every day life.
Other significant activities were 7 International Missions to announce Christ in squares and streets all over Lisbon involving about 120 young people from countries in Europe and Latin America. This particular form of mission with artistic performances, prayers, conversations was led by young members of the Focolari Movement in collaboration with local young people.
Saturday 12 November an all night Marian Prayer Vigil in Plaza Restauradores began with an act to consecrate the city of Lisbon to Our Lady of Fatima. On Sunday 13 November the Congress closed with a solemn Mass presided by Cardinal José Policarpo patriarch of Lisbon and the baton was handed to the city of Brussels in Belgium host of the next ICNE. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2005, righe 35, parole 452)
