A message from the National Director Most nights the television news will feature stories about local conflict. This might involve gang violence, home invasions or domestic incidents, which in some cases tragically result in people losing their lives. Other news stories do not involve physical violence but focus on political unrest. For some reason, stories like this are of interest to us, and news editors have done their research to identify what grabs our attention. Around the world there are many situations of even more dramatic and widespread conflict. I offer this from the Pontifical Mission Societies’ news agency, Agenzia Fides, from April this year, as an example of the heroism that is frequently part of the Church’s missionary work. The article focuses on Comboni Monsignor, Christian Carlassare, bishop‑elect of Rumbek in South Sudan, who is a victim of an attack in which he was wounded in the legs. In a video message in English, addressed to the Rumbek Catholic community, posted on the Comboni Missionaries website, the Bishop says: “I take this opportunity to greet each one of you, brothers and sisters in Rumbek. I am well and I am improving. It will take me some time to walk on my own legs again, but I am sure I will return to be with you. Please let us remain united in prayer and ready for forgiveness in our community. Seek justice with the same heart of God, that is, a merciful heart that can teach peace, mercy towards each person, because these values are present in the depths of the heart of each of us. Even if I am far away, I feel united with you, let us remain united in this process of reconciliation”.
Our experience in Australia in connection with the pandemic has been different to other countries, but has affected every one of us one way or another, some more than others. Perhaps, as we give thanks for that, in a local context, we might find the motivation to take more notice of the needs of those not so fortunate. The stories in this edition of Mission Today are just some examples of the way in which your support makes a difference to the mission churches which are often fragile because of poverty or persecution. To be Christian is to be missionary as we share what we believe with others through our prayerful and material support.
Fr Brian Lucas National Director
The message of the gospel is a message of peace. When the risen Lord met the disciples, his greeting was “peace be with you”. We exchange a sign of peace during the Eucharist, and this reminds us that the mission of the Church is to bring the peace of Christ to those longing for the fullness of life. The pandemic has left much of the world in turmoil, and in some instances civil unrest resulting from the frustration and sense of helplessness which many people are feeling.
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M i s s i o n To d a y – A C a t h o l i c M i s s i o n M a g a z i n e
