Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Fides Service) – “The Hour of Mission” is the theme of the Spanish National Mission Congress which opened in Burgos today 18 September. The first conference “The Church and the Challenge of Mission Today” was given by Archbishop Robert Sarah, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Presenting the vast horizon of mission ad gentes, the Archbishop reflected on the urgency and priority character of missionary activity in the life of the Church. After highlighting signs of hope, he also spoke of challenges facing missionary work all over the world today, especially in the context of Europe. Lastly Mgr Sarah underlined that the source of evangelisation is holiness of missionaries and of all Catholics and it is an essential condition for obeying the Lord’s command to preach the Gospel. Some 800 people, bishops, priests, religious and laity, are attending the Congress, from every diocese in Spain and from various parts of the world. The Congress, foreseen as part of the present five-year pastoral plan adopted by the Church in Spain, is organised by the Commission for Mission of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference. During the four day event, which will close on 21 September, participants will pray together, listen to conferences, missionary experience and testimony. At present the Church in Spain has 20,000 missionaries working abroad and 2,000 come from the diocese of Burgos. SL (Fides Service 8/9/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 478)
