"Duc in altum": the theme of 'Year of the Mission for the Church in Pakistan

(September 15, 2011) "Church of Pakistan, Duc in altum", “Put out into the Deep”, is the theme of the Mission and Evangelization, which will be launched by the Church of Pakistan, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the country. The Year of the Mission which will be celebrated from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012 will be inaugurated on September 30, 2011 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi by His Excellency Edgar Pena Parra, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan. The inaugural will take place at the conclusion of a Seminar and reflection on the challenges of the mission in Pakistan, which will bring together delegates and experts in Karachi, religious and laity, from all over the country. Fr. Mario Rodrigues, National Director of the PMS in Pakistan, said that the choice of the passage taken from the Gospel of Luke and the theme "Put out into the deep water" as the theme of the year: "By saying to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch ', Jesus wants us to understand, that with God's help, anything and everything can be accomplished. We hope that all Christians in Pakistan learn to 'risk' in proclaiming the Gospel, trusting that Jesus will be there to help us and will fill up our nets". The Year of the Mission continues the National Director "intends to develop in the people of Pakistan a sense of giving, a sense of concern and even more a spirit of evangelization. Evangelizing for us also means to help build our country, playing the role of a good citizen and above all to build up a truly democratic Pakistan, where everyone's rights are respected".