2011-05-14 19:05:23

Pope’s discourse to the Pontifical Missionary Works


(May 14, 2011) Even if persecuted, Christians must announce and bear witness to the Gospel, Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday, as he welcomed the participants to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Missions Society (PMS), at the Vatican. He emphasised that in our age, the Church cannot avoid “explicitly” proclaiming its faith and pursuing its action for the advent of the Kingdom of God, a “Kingdom of justice, peace, freedom and love. The “ministry of evangelisation is fascinating and demanding”. In an age in which the “rich and prosperous” First World is “uncertain about its future,” and emerging nations see “the light of hope dim”, every baptised Christian must be involved in this mission. The Pontifical Missionary works is an organ of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples which is responsible for missionary work and related activities. It is perhaps better known by its former title, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. The Pope highlighted the truth that every Christian by the force of baptism was committed to the propagation of the faith The Holy Father recalled the help given by the Pontifical Mission works to the Pontifical Colleges for the training of priests, religious and laity sent by the local Churches. At the beginning of his discourse, the Pope had welcomed the new Prefect of the congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, and thanked the outgoing President, Indian Cardinal Ivan Diaz.








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