Finding new motivation and courage to proclaim the Gospel in Zambia
Since 1822 the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (founded by Pauline Jaricot in Lyons, France) has been the official body which seeks to gather support to fund the missionary work of the Church. There are also two other Pontifdical Societies – The Society of St Peter Apostle and the Holy Childhood Association – which support particular aspects of the missionary work of the Church worldwide.
The Society of African Missions (SMA) has its own fundraising efforts which fund the work of Irish and other SMA priests throughout the African continent. But it would be wrong to think that Africa only ever holds its hand out! Definitely not true!! In mission lands the Catholic community also collect what they can to help those in even greater need. Recently, the people charged with organizing the work of the three Pontifical Societies in Zambia met ot discuss their work.
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) – The National Council of the Pontifical Mission Society (PMS) of Zambia met on 19 and 20 January 2011 at the Charles Lwanga Retreat Centre in Lusaka. “It was a very important meeting, because it allowed the Coordinators from the PMS to understand the diverse issues among the dioceses in our Country, to share the missionary experiences and to organise projects for missionary promotion and cooperation,” Father Bernard Makadani Zulu, National Director of the Zambian PMS told Fides. “It was an opportunity to share our various experiences and to improve our communication with others. Apart from profitable discussion, the Council decided on solid advances to promote the ends of the Pontifical Missionary Societies.” The attendees studied the PMS Statute and Manual, PMS and Holy See Documents, and the “Cooperatio missionalis” instruction to understand and appreciate the pastoral care significance of the PMS.
“This study has given birth to a communal reflection to improve the activity of promotion. Proposing initiatives, prescribing general guidelines and coordinating promotional activities. It helped us to find a strategy for the missionary campaign and the promotional and fundraising programs,” said Fr Makadani.
The diocesan Directors of the PMS emphasised the absolute necessity that every diocese actively participate in the World Day for Missions. “Even the poorest dioceses in the Country should take part in the celebrations of the World Day for Missions to contribute to the good of missions outside our borders,” states the National Council of the PMS in Zambia. “It is our wish that this national meeting becomes an opportunity to renew our vision of the missionary Church, to push us to act at a personal, diocesan, national and international level to find new motivation and courage to proclaim the Gospel,” concluded Fr Makadani. (Agenzia Fides 22/1/2011)