Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Salvador de Bahia (Fides Service) - As part of initiatives to mark the 50th anniversary of the Encylical Fidei Donum published by Pope Pius XII, (21 April 1957), in which the Pope urged Bishops of older dioceses to send priests and lay people as a “gift of faith” to serve in the young Churches of Africa, the Italian Bishops’ Office for Missionary Cooperation has organised a meeting for Italian fidei donum priests serving in Latin America with the following objectives: reflect on and draw from fifty years of service as fidei donum priests in Latin America; valorise the experience of fidei donum priests as a specific missionary dimension for ecclesial communities; commemorate priests who gave their lives for love of the Church and the peoples of Latin America; re-motivate local Churches all over Italy with regard to the necessity and urgency of sending fidei donum priests despite the difficult moment.
According to the Italian Bishops’ Conference at present in Latin America there are 375 Italian fidei donum priests serving in local dioceses, not counting others incardinated in a local diocese, appointed Bishops, or who have left the priesthood. Lay persons with regular Convention are also invited to the meeting which will be held at the Centre Treinamento Lideres at Salvador de Bahia.
The opening conference on 30 January will be on the theme: “Fidei Donum: 50 years on. Historical, theological and pastoral evolution”. The theme on 31 January will be “the gift of Fidei Donum priests for the Church in Latin America” with two conferences: “The journey of the in Church Latin America in the past 50 years. Significant traits” and “Fidei Donum mission service in the Latin American Church. Lights and shadows”. Geographical study-groups will discuss the input. On 1 February the theme for reflection will be “The gift of Fidei Donum for the Church in Italy” illustrated by two papers (“Society and Church in Italy: what future?” and “I Fidei Donum in the missionary activity of particular Churches in Italy”) and some testimonials. Thursday 2 February workshops will identify challenges and prospects for the future of Fidei Donum. Friday 3 February the closing conference: “Sending of missionaries and pastoral conversion of the Church in Italy” and a final Message. Similar meetings for Italian Fidei Donum missionaries will be held for Asia in Thailand, 6 - 10 March, and for Africa in Kenya, 6 to 10 November. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/1/2006 - Righe 28; Parole 405)
