Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical Missionary Union of Priests and Religious in Nigeria, held a special meeting to mark the Year for Priests at John Paul II Pastoral Centre, Ado Ekiti, February 10 – 12, 2010.
According to a message sent to Agenzia Fides from the National Director's Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Nigeria, the meeting had four sessions –the “mea culpa,” “Deo Gratias,” Missionary Reflection, and the “Agape” session.
The mea culpa featured various reflections on the misconducts of the priests and atonement for such misconducts was made by the members. It ended with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The session on Deo Gratias was centred on reflections on Thanksgiving for the gift of the Priesthood. This ended with the Eucharistic celebration.
The National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Nigeria, Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe, had earlier requested for a one-page written reflection from the Clergy and Religious across the country. These reflections were compiled and arranged under the “mea culpa” and “Deo Gratias” headings.
The highlight was a panel discussion, by the HCA children of the Onitsha Archdiocese, on the priest and the priesthood.
As a response to this, the members resolved and adopted strategies for more effective orientation courses for priests and religious going to work outside the country as missionaries. The Floating Institute of Missiology, designed to train Religious and Laity on Missionary theology, is to be given full support by the members of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU). The members adopted the Road Map for the promotion of the Propagation of the Faith, as well as the St. Peter the Apostle.
There were 54 priests and religious from dioceses and Congregations across the country. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2010)
