ON MISSION WITH PETER

On mission with Peter

Annual meeting 

with moderators

Theme of the Meeting: 

Apostolicity, the heart

 of movements' identity

The coming year marks the 25th anniversary of the first World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which ended with a solemn Vigil of Pentecost in St Peter's Square with Pope John Paul II on 30 May 1998.

 The event was of great importance for the journey of numerous ecclesial realities, many of them born in the years immediately preceding or following the Second Vatican Council.

 It was an event that marked the ecclesial journey of these aggregations and greatly stimulated dialogue between them and with the Holy See.

 The apostolicity of the movements and the historic event of 1998

 On Thursday 22 June, in Rome, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life hosted the moderators of the associations, ecclesial movements, new communities and other entities recognised or erected by it, for its regular annual meeting. The title of the meeting, "On Mission with Peter. Apostolicity at the heart of the movements' identity', was intended to recall that historic event.  Here too, in fact, there was reflection on the 'theological positioning' of the movements, a theme that the then Card. Joseph Ratzinger illustrated in his report to the Congress: a contribution of great ecclesial relevance which has retained all its topicality and which today can illuminate the path and the challenges that associations and movements find themselves living. If apostolicity, understood as the missionary and universal openness of the Church, is the theological "place" of movements inspired by the Holy Spirit, then it is important that this dimension is never lost if these realities intend to be faithful to their identity.

 The journey made by the movements in these twenty-five years

 The day's events were divided into two parts: in the morning, after an introduction by Card. Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery, Fr Paolo Prosperi, of the Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St Charles Borromeo, retraced the journey made by the movements in the twenty-five years since that conference, considering the Magisterium and today's challenges. In the afternoon, the session was dedicated to the testimonies of the participants, who were invited to tell how in these years they have accepted and lived the challenge of apostolic life, as explained by Card. Ratzinger in his lecture: an evangelical, missionary life, which is implemented in charity and service.

 Facing a time of change with boldness and creativity

 The aim of the meeting and the ensuing reflection was to face the challenges of this time of epochal change with boldness and creativity, to rethink structures, style and methods of evangelisation of aggregative realities, without lacking generosity and courage.

The meeting was attended by one hundred and fifty participants from the five continents: moderators and other members of the central governing bodies of the associations recognised by the ministry, for a day of reflection and sharing.

 The meeting was also attended by the President and Special Advisor of the UMEC-WUCT, Jan De Groof and Giovanni Perrone

                                                   FARRELL - Introduzione [IT]

    

 FARRELL - Introductory Remarks [EN]

  FARRELL - Abstract Introduzione [IT]

  PROSPERI - Abstract Intervento [IT]

  PHOTOGALLERY