EUROPE/ENGLAND – Secretary General of PMU: “The example of Christian life and the proclamation of Christ are inseparable”

EUROPE/ENGLAND – Secretary General of PMU: “The example and proclamation Christian life are inseparable.”

London (Agenzia Fides) – To nourish a missionary spirit: Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFM Conv, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), Director of Ciam and Agenzia Fides, focused on this theme and opened the works of the National Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the United Kingdom. The Secretary General for the PMU opened the three-day conference with a session on missionary spirituality. After the English PMS presented an overview of its work within the context of the local church. Father Nguyen continued to his report, which began with Luke’s Gospel about the multiplication of loaves. The Gospel episode was used as a model for introducing the larger theme of a life lived in the spirit of mission. Father Nguyen described the missionary context of multiplication of bread, Jesus’ “complete” bread, and the mission of the faithful community.
Taking a cue from Pope Francis’ Message of World Mission Day 2022, Father Dinh provided some food for thought to the participants in the Assembly of the English PMS. “A deeper examination of the words ‘You’ll be my witnesses’ will reveal some aspects that are always relevant in the mission Christ gave to the disciples. Father Nguyen stated that the plural form of this verb emphasizes the community-ecclesial nature and missionary vocation of disciples. Every baptized person has been called to mission in the Church and by mandate from the Church. The mission is therefore accomplished in communion with the ecclesial community and not on your own initiative.
The Secretary General of PMU spoke out about the inextricable link between the example and proclamation of Christ. They are the two lungs that every community must use to be missionary. This kind of coherent, joyful witness to Christ will undoubtedly be a force for growth in the Church in the third century. I encourage everyone to show Christ’s love through words and actions.
Father Nguyen then spoke out about the charismatic origins of the PMS as stated by Pope Francis in his message of World Mission Day 2022. He suggested that those present consider concrete themes to cultivate missionary spirituality every day.
The Assembly continued with sessions on the fundraising strategy, its analysis, and possible paths before the Assembly ended yesterday with the conclusions of the National Director for the English PMS. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 23/6/2022)

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