Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — On 13 February th, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed Mr Peter Gates as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Australia for the five-year period Peter Gates, born in Sydney in 1959, brings over 35 years of service to Catholic Mission, the National Direction of the PMS in Australia.He holds a Master of Business Administration in Community Management from the University of Technology Sydney (2014) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the Sydney College of Divinity (2004), Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney alongside further qualification in Religious Education and Pastoral Guidance from Australian Catholic University.Gates began his missionary vocation as a lay volunteer teacher in Zambia (1987–1989), serving in an isolated rural district where he taught, advised local teachers, and supported sacramental and community development programs. Returning to Australia, he joined Catholic Mission in 1990 as Education Officer before being appointed National Education Manager and National Secretary in 1996, overseeing the national formation program and serving as a senior member of the National Council. In 2001, he was appointed Deputy National Director, a role he has held for over two decades. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of Catholic Mission's strategic plan 2022–2025, the introduction of synodality as a core foundation of organisational culture, and the oversight of youth mission immersion programs in countries including Timor-Leste, Mongolia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. He has played a significant role in the wider life of the Church in Australia, serving as a member of the Facilitation Team for the Fifth Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Australia (2018–2022) and as acting Lead Facilitator in 2020, delivering keynote presentations on Mission and Synodality at diocesan assemblies. He co-edited the Francis Effect book series and co-ordinated the national "Mission: one heart many voices" conference, held biennially since 2013 in partnership with Catholic Religious Australia.Internationally, Gates is a member of the Communication, Faith-Fundraising and Digital Transformation International Group of the PMS (since 2018), contributing to the development of effective practice for national directions worldwide.
(EG) (Agenzia Fides 19/03/2026)
