AMERICA/PERU - 1st meeting for Lay Missionaries in Bolivarian countries: accompanying, training and sending lay men and women to serve the Church’s universal mission

Lima (Agenzia Fides) - “With Jesus Beyond Frontiers” is the slogan of the 1st Meeting for Bolivarian Lay Missionaries from Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Panama, organised jointly in Lima Peru, 1 - 4 March by Continental Coordination of Lay Mission in America and the National Mission Centre of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference. In the light of the preparatory document of the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences CELAM in Brazil in May, the participants will reflect on the theme "Accompanying, training and sending lay missionaries ad gentes". The Meeting aims to promote awareness of the reality of promotion and formation of lay missionaries ad gentes and prepare for the sending of Latin American missionaries ad gentes in view of a great mission in the region to render the continent “a home and school of communion for mission".
The Meeting, to be inaugurated by Bishop Alberto Campos Hernández, Vicar Apostolic of San José del Amazonas who is president of the Peruvian Bishops’ Commission for Missions, will have the following programme: March 2 presentation of problems and situations of lay vocations ad gentes in the respective participating countries. March 3 two conferences: "The Significance of being a disciple and missionary of Jesus Christ for a Lay Missionary ad gentes, in the light of Scripture, and the magisterium of the Council, the Popes and Bishops, especially the Church in Latin America?” and "The profile of the Lay Missionary today?”; March 4 “Towards universal mission” , drafting and reading of Meeting Statement. During the closing Mass participants will renew their missionary commitment. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/2/2007; righe 23, parole 307)