From left: Fr. Kevin O'Neill, superior general of the Missionary Society of St. Columban; Fr. Stanley Lubungo, superior general of the Missionaries of Africa; Sr. Mary T. Barron, vicar general of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles; Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, rector general of the Pallotines Missionaries; and Fr. Michel Roncin, general council of the Missions Etrangères de Paris, at the missionary colloquium, held Feb. 8-9 in Navan, County Meath, Ireland (Courtesy of the Columban Mission Office)
by Sarah Mac Donald
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An international gathering of missionary congregations met Feb. 8-9 in Ireland to discuss the future of mission and the areas where missionaries can continue to make a difference in the church and wider society in the 21st century.
Organized by the Missionary Society of St. Columban as part of its centenary celebrations (1918-2018), the colloquium brought together leaders and practitioners of mission from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa, including seven superiors general and two vicar generals from nine international missionary societies.
The two days of discussion highlighted the need for congregations to grapple more deeply with interculturality as a counterpoint to the global trend toward stronger borders and nativism. The missionaries say religious congregations can give society a lead in embracing interculturality.
Other themes explored included mutual evangelization, the situation of women in the church and society, empowerment of the laity, and bringing about a culture of sharing between congregations.
