Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - On 10 February the Juan Pablo II Missiology Centre in Buenos Aires celebrated its 25th anniversary and 25 years of activity at the service of Formation priest, religious and lay people in the fields of theology, pastoral care, anthropology and culture from the point of view of missionary activity. The goal of the Centre, promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies in Argentina, is to animate and support missionary work beyond frontiers of the Churches of Latin America, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Rev. Jairo Calderon Benavides, IMC, informed Fides.
The Course has three cycles, one per year, with two means of participation: a residential three week course focussing on 6 subjects, at present attended by 78 students; and a course at a distance with a tutor service, being followed by 235 students this year. The conferences are given by highly qualified teachers for students of different ministries, culture and formation. On completing the three year course the students receive a diploma recognised by the Pontifical Urban University.
The residential course, held in a spirit of brotherhood and experience-sharing and helps student to acquire deeper knowledge of missiological contents, profoundly marked by missionary spirituality. Since it was opened the Centre has always been supported and encouraged by the different presidents of Bishops’ Commissions for Missions and Apostolic Nuncios. This year’s course has participants from many different cultures and countries including Indonesia, India, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. In these 25 years the Centre has offered a remarkable contribution the qualified service of missionary at home and abroad. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2007; righe 23, parole 307)
