By Agenzia Fides
JAKARTA, Indonesia – A total of 38 dioceses were represented at the General Assembly of Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Indonesia. The meeting, held for the tenth time from Aug 4 – 7, focused on the theme of the upcoming World Mission Sunday, “Missionaries of Hope Among the Peoples.”
The meeting, which opened with a Mass presided over by Bishop Aloysius Sutrisnaatmaka (MSF), President of the Missionary Commission of the Indonesian Episcopal Conference, focused on the formation of the Pontifical Mission Societies, reflecting on the identity of the Pontifical Mission Societies in relation to the missionary dynamics of the dioceses.
The Secretary General of the Pontifical Mission Union (PMU), Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen (OFM Conv), who participated in the meeting via video conference, discussed the historical roots and vision of the Pontifical Mission Societies in light of the message of this year’s World Mission Sunday.
He emphasized the indispensable task of the mission societies, namely the preservation and transmission of missionary spirituality and the inclusion of all believers in the missionary work of the universal Church.
The second day of the meeting was dedicated to the exchange of “best practices”. Among the initiatives presented were a fundraising campaign for children, the diocesan meeting of altar servers, missionary faith formation for children and young people, the repositioning of the Pontifical Mission Societies with respect to diocesan commissions and pastoral centers, missionary education work in seminaries and schools for catechists, and the training of staff for missionary education work in parishes. Among the topics discussed was “faith and fundraising,” as a concrete expression of participation in the Church’s mission.
On the fourth and final day, the various culinary traditions from across the archipelago provided an element of exchange and mutual cultural enrichment.
The meeting concluded with the division of the directors into six regional working groups, whose findings will be incorporated into the joint missionary program.
The assembly officially concluded with a Mass presided over by the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Indonesia, Fr Alfonsus Widhiwiryawan (SX). (EG) – Agenzia Fides
