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.