Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abancay (Fides Service ) – Missionary zeal is spreading all over America even high in the Peruvian Andes Mountains, stirring new mission awareness among the native peoples. From 2 to 5 October 2003 Abancay will hold its first diocesan Mission Congress with the “With Christ and Mary: conquering a new humanity”.
The Congress actually began a year ago on October 20, 2002, when pastoral workers set out to visit all the localities in the diocese to invite Catholics to “unite in a common effort to awaken new missionary zeal in the local Church”, the organisers tell Fides Service. Another reason for a year long Congress is the difficult geography of the Andes which extends over the entire diocese of Abancay. Time was necessary in order to reach everyone which was the objective of the organisers.
The challenge launched by Bishop Isidro Sala Rivera, in the decree for the convocation of the Congress, “to hold a Diocesan Mission Congress which will be a opportune time for reawakening in the hearts of the faithful awareness of the missionary vocation of the whole Church”, was welcomed by all with great enthusiasm, pastoral workers especially. Animated by the Holy Spirit they are travelling the diocesan territory in length and breadth to involve every sector of the people of God in Abancay (priests seminarians, deacons, religious, laity, children, youth, housewives, old people, the sick, native communities, workers, etc.) to take an active part in the central part of the Congress 2-5 October. People taking part as representatives of communities and groups can take their contributions and conclusions to the local offices.
We mention among the main aims of the Congress: reawaken, animation and increase missionary spirit among the people of God; respond with concrete actions, programmes and persons dedicated to Christ’s command to go into the whole world to announce the good news of salvation to all peoples; take commitments for missionary animation, formation, organisation and cooperation; discover the roots of our faith to witness to the values of the Gospel to all those who have not yet encountered Christ, or for some reasons have left the path of Christian life; shoulder responsibility for the Church’s evangelising mission la missione in all situations and at all times, “giving of our poverty and preparing to send missionaries from our parishes and communities”.
The Congress, held at Santa Rosa College in Abancay, will be attended by 1.100 people from all the various sectors of the diocese coming from all four provinces Abancay, Andahuaylas, Aymaraes and Chincheros.
America/Peru: Info Abancay diocese (Church’s Year Book 2003)
area: 12,950 sq. km; population: 325,000; Catholics: 302,000; parishes: 15; diocesan priests: 53; Brothers.: 7; Sisters: 110; major seminarians 47; schools: 7; charity centres: 10. (R.Z.) (Fides Service 23/9/2003; lines 22; words 272)
