Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Panama (Fides Service) - “Basis and Processes for integral formation of laity for mission ad gentes” was the theme of the 3rd Continental Lay Missionaries Meeting ECOLMI 3 held 26-30 January in Panama. The meeting, organised by the Department for Missions of the Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences CELAM, the office for Continental Coordination of Lay Missionaries and the Catholic Church in Panama, discussed the importance of on-going formation for lay missionaries and how to encourage mission ad gentes. It was attended by diocesan delegates from all over Panama, as well as national coordinators of lay groups, movements, associations, missionary institutes, the Pontifical Mission Societies, missionary congregations and groups from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Argentina.
In final statement, dated 30 January 2005, the participants voiced concern for the lack of plans for the formation, accompaniment and sending of lay missionaries ad gentes and the need to organise processes of formation accessible to all lay Catholics and suited to the different social, political, economic and cultural situations in the various multi-ethnic and multi-cultural countries in which lay missionaries operate, conditions which affect missionary experience.
Proposals identified by the participants included: build a communication network among missionaries using the Internet and other means to facilitate the sharing of lay formation programmes on the national, regional and continental levels; with the help of CELAM promote programmes for missionary formation at a distance in Spanish and Portuguese, making use of existing structures, with respect for the different situations of lay persons involved in missionary activity; call on CELAM and the Pontifical Mission Societies in all America to render the Office for Continental Co-ordination of Lay Missionaries official; organise mission networks and hold meetings for missionaries on the national, regional and continental levels; request that a representative of the ECOLMI Team for Co-ordination be appointed a member of the CAM Central Committee charged with preparing for the 3rd American Mission Congress, CAM 3; promote permanent accompaniment, formation and sending of lay missionaries ad gentes, and arrange for at least 50 lay missionaries to attend CAM 3. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2005; righe 28; parole 367)
