EUROPE/SPAIN - ‘Handbook for Bishop’s Mission Delegate and Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies’ gives guidance and fosters co-ordination for this important task in Spanish dioceses

Madrid (Fides Service) - CEM, the Missions Commission of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, and the PMS Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain have issued a Handbook for the Bishop’s Mission Delegate and Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies to offer guidance for those responsible for missionary animation and activity and to foster co-ordination in this important task in the dioceses of Spain as well as advice on how to channel spiritual and material aid for missionaries. The Handbook is based on Canon Law, Papal teaching and the experience of experts in the field of mission apostolate. The book has 6 chapters: appointment, qualifications, duties, resources, activities, administrative responsibilities.
The Handbook offers concrete information on the qualifications and duties of the person in charge of diocesan missionary animation and co-ordination, underlining the need for “a lively spirit of mission in order to effectively foster missionary activity ”, ability for management, team work, relations with the media. The Handbook advises that the person delegated by the Bishop to be diocesan Missions delegate and the one chosen to be Diocesan Director of the PMS should be the same. Among the duties of mission delegates the Handbook mentions concern for men and women missionaries of the diocese, organisation of annual Days for promoting Mission awareness, encourage mission vocations and collection of funds for the needs of missions, relying always in these tasks on the help of volunteers. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2006; righe 19, parole 253)