The mission in light of Pope Francis’ teachings
General superiors and councillors from various missionary societies of apostolic life met in Mexico City to discuss, among other things, what lifestyles can come from Pope Francis’ teachings. Participants also looked at what kind of conversions missionaries are asked to undertake, starting with the simplest and most practical choices, like caring for the environment in their life choices.
Mexico City (AsiaNews) – The biennial meeting of the general superiors and councillors (pictured) of missionary societies of apostolic life was held on 5-9 April at the Missionaries of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Their focus was on the Missio ad gentes after Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato si’.
Some 43 missionaries from 22 institutes met to get to know each other, reflect on the mission in today’s world, and find ways for them to work together in the mission.
At the gathering, what struck the imagination above everything else was the universal character of today’s mission. All five continents were represented, with members increasingly from the so-called lands of mission.
Not only were there African and Asian missionaries from institutes in Europe and the Americas, but missionary institutes from Asia (India, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea) and Africa (Nigeria) were also represented. Not to mention religious missionary institutions that were not present here.
In his address, Fr Jack Lynch of the Scarboro Foreign Missionary Society raised various points to reflect upon with regards to the challenges to the mission the two papal documents present, in particular with respect to the internal life of the missionary institutes, as well as the way of undertaking the mission.
"What lifestyles must come out of Pope Francis’ teachings? Which conversions are we asked to undertake as missionaries?" he said.
The answer lies in the simplest choices and practices, like caring for the environment in one’s life, in the way we build houses, move people and things, in the way we use water and renewable energy.
The various groups looked at how such issues can be integrated in missionaries’ training so that a new missionary spirituality connected to them can be developed.
Seminary education was another topic as it affects the mission’s new challenges, especially with respect to the poor and our common home, i.e. creation.
Some participants suggested ways for the institutes to work together in both training and mission.
All the ideas expressed at the assembly were taken down and will be sent to each institute to reflect upon and decide.
A secretariat will be set up, which will include PIME Superior General Fr Brambillasca, to pursue the ongoing reflection over the next two years, i.e. until next meeting, which set to take place in Hong Kong at the Columban Missionaries headquarters, in April 2018.
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