Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Warsaw (Agenzia Fides) - "Pius XII's Fidei donum Encyclical - Its principal challenges implementation in Poland" is the theme of a special Symposium being hosted today 17 April by the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of the encyclical. The Symposium is organised jointly by the Pontifical Mission Societies in Poland, the Polish Bishops’ Commission for Missions and the Mission Department at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, PMS National Director Mgr Jan Piotrowski told Fides.
Morning conferences will focus on the theology of the encyclical and the challenges faced in the past fifty years by the Church in Poland. To follow, a concelebration of the Eucharist presided by Bishop Wiktor Skworc, President of the Bishops’ Commission for Missions. In the afternoon participants will listen to reports on practical aspects including the participation of Fidei donum priests in mission ad gentes, a presentation on formation of future missionaries fidei donum priests and laity, and a few testimonials.
Poland has over 300 fidei donum priests and 55 lay missionaries working in 35 different countries. The diocese of Tarnów, in southern Poland is one of the richest in missionary vocations: in the past 47 years it has offered more than 110 fidei donum priests and today has 50 priests working in 9 different countries. It also has 22 diocesan priests undergoing formation at Warsaw Mission Formation Centre. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2007; righe 19, parole 254)
