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| The Pontifical Mission Societies |
First started in Churches of ancient Christianity to sustain the
work of missionaries among non Christian peoples, the PMS soon became
an institution at the service of the universal Church and Particular
churches. According to Vatican II, the PMS must be given a central
place in missionary cooperation. They are one institution with four
distinct branches. They have in common a primary and principal goal
to promote a spirit of universal mission among the People of God.
They carry out this task by means of information and sensitisation
on missionary activity, promotion of missionary vocations, collection
of funds for distribution to missionaries, their activities and
the young Churches, to increase communion among the local Churches
with an exchange of material and spiritual aid.
Each of the Pontifical Mission Societies has its own, specific identity,
goal and means of activity. They renew their activity to suit the
different situations in the Church and in society. While maintaining
their own identity they are united in spirit and intent as the Societies
of the Holy Father and the Bishops of the world to promote among
the people of God a generous missionary spirit.
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The
Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith