Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service)- “We wished with His Eminence Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies in France to thank the people close to the PMS France and our benefactors especially the members of the House of Lorette Support Committee, constituted in 2002” said Gaëtan Boucharlat de Chazotte, secretary general of the council of administration of PMS France, a member of the PMS France delegation which made a recent pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican.
The delegation, led by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyons, was received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI on 23 May. The delegation visited the offices of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and met the Prefect Cardinal Ivan Dias, the secretary Archbishop Robert Sarah, and secretary adjunct Archbishop Henrik Hoser the President of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
During the pilgrimage Cardinal Barbarin, presented medals to Mr Robert Halley, president of the Carrefour group who received the title of Commander of the Knights of St Gregory and lawyer Mr Henri Montagne, vice president of PMS France civil structures, who received the title of Knight of the Order of St Gregory.
We asked them how Christians today can be encouraged to give more generously to the missions and about the importance of collaboration between clergy and lay people in the common mission to spread the Gospel. “I think that we are not the owners of things we have received in our life, we are stewards and as such we must use these goods for the common good of all ” said Robert Halley who added “Lay people must shoulder responsibility in managing concrete activities, material goods, in order to allow priests to concentrate on their mission as spiritual guides”.
“The Gospel tells how the people who followed Christ assisted him with their goods ”- says Henri Montagne- “In my case I offer my time and my administrative ability for the running of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Whether time or money, these riches are at the disposal of the Church. This is a need for us and a need for the Church. It is a work of mission for the benefit of others. Vocations and talents differ: some are called to be priests to accompany the people in the faith, others have economic and social competencies. Each must respond according to his or her own aptitudes and abilities. But the spirit is one and the mission is one: to spread the Good News and bear witness to the Gospel ” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/5/2007 righe 42 parole 527)
