Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Roma (Agenzia Fides) - The Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union, Fr. Vito del Prete, PIME, was the last to give his annual report on the past year's activity which included to important events: the 50º anniversary of Pope Pius XII's Encylical Fidei donum and the 40th anniversary of the Ad Gentes Decree issued by Vatican II, celebrations “which encourage us to rediscover the fundamental inspiration of our being and working at the service of mission”.
“The PMU called to be the soul of the Pontifical Mission Societies puts itself at the service of the missionary activity of the Churches with commitments which are more than the publication of magazines and includes effective activity of animation and formation at the international level”, said Fr. Vito. The timely theme of the Churches' responsibility and communion for mission was the specific objective of PMU activity in 2006-2007 and it was also the theme of Congress 8 - 11 May on Fidei Donum, which this year replaces the usual pastoral session of the PMS Annual General Assembly.
With regard to missionary animation and formation the PMU continues the publication of Omnis Terra missionary magazine, a channel of animation and formation for those involved in the work of evangelisation. Omnis Terra Fr. Vito, explained, is read in seminaries all over the world. PMU has also resumed its Study Courses for Mission and has been busy preparing for the above mentioned Congress on Fidei Donum and a special international commission was set up to identify finalities, objectives and programmes.
Fr Vito also presented the activity of the International Centre for Mission Animation CIAM which Cardinal Ivan Dias Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples decided to entrust to his direction. The Centre promotes animation and formation of bishops, diocesan priests, religious, seminarians and active lay men and women involved in universal missionary dimension. CIAM, Fr. Vito said, must be a school of universality and it must respond to the real needs of the Churches and the mission today and this calls for close collaboration with the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Fr Vito del Prete also presented a 2007-2008 programme of various courses for national directors, formation staff, directors of Mission Centres, Fidei Donum priests, missionary youth. “we must all invest more in formation of those responsible and the models of the People of God ” Fr. Vito concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2007; righe 32, parole 419)
