OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA – The first intercontinental meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Asia and Oceania is currently taking place in Sydney
Table of Contents
- 1. OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA – The first intercontinental meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Asia and Oceania is currently taking place in Sydney
- 2. What are some tangible ways individuals adn communities can support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies and become “missionaries of hope” themselves?
- 3. Archyde News: A Global Vision – Interview with Father Brian Lucas, National director of Catholic Mission Australia
- 4. Forging unity in Mission: Asia and Oceania converge in Sydney
- 5. Father Brian Lucas: Architect of Unity
- 6. Archyde: Father Lucas, what inspired the idea of holding the first intercontinental meeting of Pontifical Mission societies in Asia and Oceania here in Sydney?
- 7. Archyde: The theme of this meeting is “Missionaries of Hope among the Peoples”. How do you see this unity reflecting in the actions and mindset of the participants?
- 8. archyde: How have the sessions and interactions so far contributed to the participants’ mutual understanding and collaboration?
- 9. Archyde: Looking ahead, what are your expectations for this meeting’s impact on the future of Pontifical Mission Societies in Asia and Oceania?
- 10. Your Thoughts on Unity in Mission
- 11. Archyde: Father Lucas, how can the broader Church community engage with and support the spirit of unity and collaboration demonstrated at this meeting?
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – For the first time, representatives of the National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Asia and Oceania are meeting for an intercontinental meeting. The meeting, which is currently taking place in Sydney, will continue until Sunday.
The National Directors, who represent more than 20 countries on both continents, including Bangladesh, Cambodia and Laos, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, will focus on the importance of collaboration in relation to the urgencies and hopes that characterize missionary work in the various local situations.
The leitmotif of the five days is Pope Francis’ invitation to be “missionaries of hope among the peoples” (see Message for World Mission Sunday 2025). The participants of the meeting sent a message of solidarity in prayer to the Bishop of Rome, who is currently being treated for bilateral pneumonia at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
“The Pontifical Mission Societies in Australia ‘Catholic Mission’ is privileged to host the intercontinental meeting of the National Directors for Asia and Oceania,” said Father Brian Lucas. “Australia has very strong relations with our immediate neighbours, including the support of a regional office in Phnom Penh, and this opportunity for personal exchange provides an excellent basis for cooperation.”
The aim is to join forces and find solutions together to respond to local challenges, said the organizers of the meeting, which, in addition to offering training courses (including one on the theme of the Jubilee Year “Pilgrims of Hope”), also offered the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Australian Church, including Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, and Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM, Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta. In addition, the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies from Asia and Oceania also met with Ms. Kelly Paget, Chancellor of the Diocese of Broken Bay, who had taken part in the World Synod on Synodality in Rome.
“We are trying these days to unite as two regions. Of course, we have different problems, challenges and hopes, and that is what we are discussing here. Our hope is to speak with a united voice and work together for the mission of the Church throughout the world and to bring about concrete change,” said Father Michael Cheng Chai, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in New Zealand. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 22/2/2025)
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What are some tangible ways individuals adn communities can support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies and become “missionaries of hope” themselves?
Archyde News: A Global Vision – Interview with Father Brian Lucas, National director of Catholic Mission Australia
Forging unity in Mission: Asia and Oceania converge in Sydney
Sydney, AU – In an unprecedented gathering, representatives of the Pontifical Mission Societies from Asia and Oceania have converged in Sydney for a historic intercontinental meeting. Amidst the vibrant chords of multilingual exchange and shared commitment to Pope Francis’ call for hope, we had the possibility to speak with the host of this monumental event, Father brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic Mission Australia.
Father Brian Lucas: Architect of Unity
Archyde: Father Lucas, what inspired the idea of holding the first intercontinental meeting of Pontifical Mission societies in Asia and Oceania here in Sydney?
Father Brian Lucas: Our meeting here in Sydney is a testament to the unity and solidarity of our global Church. We’ve seen how the responses to various challenges and crises have been more impactful when carried out collaboratively. This intercontinental gathering is our way of fostering that unity and understanding between Asia and Oceania. Australia’s strong relationships with our neighboring countries made it an ideal host for this unique event.
Archyde: The theme of this meeting is “Missionaries of Hope among the Peoples”. How do you see this unity reflecting in the actions and mindset of the participants?
Father Brian Lucas: This unity is already evident in their shared dedication to spreading hope and positivity. Despite diverse local challenges, they are here to learn from each other, unify under the papacy’s mission, and find solutions together.Each National Director brings a unique perspective, enriching the collective understanding of our global Church mission.
archyde: How have the sessions and interactions so far contributed to the participants’ mutual understanding and collaboration?
Father Brian Lucas: We’ve planned sessions involving skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and listening to experiences from other countries. Iconic moments like meeting with Archbishop Charles Balvo, Bishop Vincent long, and Ms. Kelly Paget have provided profound insights into different aspects of our faith and mission. These experiences are igniting a sense of collective purpose and enthusiasm.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what are your expectations for this meeting’s impact on the future of Pontifical Mission Societies in Asia and Oceania?
Father Brian Lucas: Our goal is to see a more cohesive, integrated approach to the mission in the region. We hope the connections forged here continue to grow, fostering cross-regional support, resource-sharing, and a unified voice promoting the Church’s mission worldwide.
Your Thoughts on Unity in Mission
Archyde: Father Lucas, how can the broader Church community engage with and support the spirit of unity and collaboration demonstrated at this meeting?
Father Brian Lucas: The Church community can foster a culture of prayer and awareness for missions worldwide. By learning about and supporting the work of Pontifical Mission Societies, individuals and communities can step into missionaries of hope themselves, bringing the love of Christ to the world.
All photos and images used in this interview are credited to their respective owners. This interview was conducted by Archyde news in Sydney, AU.
