Lisbon (Fides Service) - “Mission and Europe of the Future” is the theme of three National Mission Days which the Church in Portugal will celebrate 17-19 September at the Paul VI Pastoral Centre in Fatima. The Mission Days 2004 are organised jointly by the Portuguese Bishops’ Commission for Missions, the Pontifical Mission Societies in Portugal and the Missions Commission of Religious Institutes, male and female.
The event will open on 17 September with a conference for Prof. António Couto, on “The Book of Revelation and Hope for Mission”. Saturday 18 in the morning the themes for reflection will include: “The Christian Roots of Europe: Historical Truth and Challenges for Mission” by prof. Carlos Moreira Azevedo; “The Return of the Caravelles and Mission at the service of welcome in Europe” by Rui Marques, national High Commissioner adjunct for Immigration. In the afternoon there will be a discussion on “Europe in a state of Mission with different Charisma and Ministries”, followed by a conference by Brother Benito Domingues on “Inculturation of the Gospel in Europe, after 20 Centuries of Evangelisation”.
On Sunday 19 September the day will begin with a talk by Isabel Varanda on “Urgent Necessity to Proclaim the Gospel of Hope in Europe” followed by a conference by Archbishop Damiano Franklin, Archbishop of Luanda and president of the Angolan Bishops’ Conference, on “The Contribution of Young Churches to Evangelisation in Europe”. In the afternoon there will be a disucssion on “The Prophetic Dimesion of Mission at the Service of Justice and Protection of Creation”. The closing Mass will be presided by Bishop Manuel Quintas, President of the Bishops’ Commission for Missions.

Anyone wishing to take part can enrol on-line up to 9 September.
See (http://www.opf.pt/jornadas/default.asp#Inscrição_On.line) or apply to the Secretary of the initiative Father Manuel Durães, PMS National Director: Rua Ilha do Príncipe, 19 - 1170-182 LISBONA.
(R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 30/7/2004; Righe 25, Parole 316)