Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - "Church of Pakistan, Duc in altum" This is the theme of the Mission and Evangelization, which will be launched by the Church of Pakistan, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies ( PMS) in the country.
The Year of the Mission (which will be celebrated from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012) will be inaugurated on September 30, 2011 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi by His Excellency Edgar Pena Parra, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, at the conclusion of a Seminar and reflection on the challenges of the mission in Pakistan, which will bring together delegates and experts in Karachi, religious and laity, from all over the country.
Fr. Mario Rodrigues, National Director of the PMS in Pakistan, explains to Fides the choice of the passage taken from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 5: 2-6) and the theme "Put out into the deep water" as the theme of the year: "By saying to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch ', Jesus wants us to understand, that with God’s help, anything and everything can be accomplished. We hope that all Christians in Pakistan learn to 'risk' in proclaiming the Gospel, trusting that Jesus will be there to help us and will fill up our nets".
The Year of the Mission, continues the National Director, "intends to develop in the people of Pakistan a sense of giving, a sense of concern and even more a spirit of evangelization. Evangelizing for us also means to help build our country, playing the role of a good citizen and above all to build up a truly democratic Pakistan, where everyone’s rights are respected".
The Pontifical Mission Societies made their way to Pakistan in 1952. The then Archbishop James C. Van Miltenburg proposed that Fr. Priscus Nieuwenhuis OFM be the first National Director. Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, at the time was the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, gladly welcomed the suggestion. Since then, the PMS have been operating in the country to help spread the Gospel values and instill a missionary spirit among the faithful. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2011)
