Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dassa (Agenzia Fides) - From 30 May to June 2 diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Benin gathered near the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace at Arigbo of Dassa, for their annual meeting presided by the National Director, Fr. Koffi Dorothée Hamaouzo. After Mass at the Shrine the meeting was officially opened by the National Director on behalf of Bishop Paul Kouassivi Vieira, Bishop of the diocese of Djougou and Benin Bishops’ Conference delegate for the Pontifical Mission Societies, unable to attend because of urgent pastoral duties who sent his support and blessing to the meeting .
Addressing the participants the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Benin Bishop Antoine Ganye, bishop of the diocese of Dassa, focussed mainly on two pastoral concerns: how to organise in the Catholic Churches of Africa a structure such as the PMS which funds missionary activity and how to promote the celebration of World Mission Sunday and Holy Childhood Day at the national level. In his address the National Director underlined that the Pontifical Mission Societies belong to the Pope and to the Bishops and they are the Church’s central, privileged and priority channel for increasing mission awareness and support among the people of God in an authentic spirit of universal mission.
From reports given by diocesan directors on activity and initiatives in their area it emerged that the Pontifical Mission Societies are ever more widely known and active despite different diocesan situations. The directors also listened to a conference by Fr. Sylvestre Gainsi, on Schools for Mission Animators, and a presentation of the new PMS Statutes and PMS. After general discussion on the principle matters presented, the Meeting closed with Mass in Dassa Cathedral. Next year’s Annual Meeting for Diocesan Directors of PMS will take place 29 May to June 1in N’Dali. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2006 - righe 23, parole 328
