Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) - The third National Missionary Congress for priests, religious and laity has just concluded, which had the theme "Authentic witnesses and heralds of Christ in communion, so that the world may believe", organized by the Episcopal Commission of Clergy of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, by the Diocese of Callao and by the Pontifical Mission Societies. The Congress was held from Thursday 2 to Sunday, February 5, at the auditorium of the Marist School San Jose in the centre of the port of Callao.
According to information Fides received, the Congress was opened in a context of celebration and joy: More than 300 participants took part in an animation on behalf of the Peruvian singer Luis Enrique Ascoy, followed by the greetings of the new Bishop of Callao, Monsignor Jose Luis del Palacio, and the interventions of the Bishop Emeritus of Callao, Mgr. Miguel Irizar Campos, and Father Victor Livori, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru.
At the opening of the Eucharist, priests, religious men and women renewed their consecration: with lighted candles in their hands, the image of the Virgin accompanied by images of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Francis Xavier, patrons and models of the Mission was welcomed. The Mass was presided by Archbishop Jose Luis del Palacio and concelebrated by the priests present.
During the conferences several topics were developed, including "To be authentic witnesses and announcers of Christ", illustrated by His Exc. Mgr. Luis Augusto Castro, of Tunja (Colombia), which was followed by workshops where the participants were involved. On Sunday, February 5 the closure of the Congress was marked by the Eucharist presided by Archbishop Salvador Pineiro Garcia Calderon, newly elected President of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 08/02/2012)
