NewsMSP ATTENDS THE 2013 AMSAL MEETING
The MSP Father Moderator, Fr Alfredo Africa Jr., attended the AMSAL Meeting which was held in Kerala, India last February 26-28, 2013. The host was the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle (MST). Starting this year, the biennial gathering is convened by the Mission Society of the Philippines in cooperation with the host Society.
AMSAL stands for Asian-born Missionary Societies of Apostolic Life, the members of which include, the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP - Philippines), the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle (MST - India), the Korean Mission Society (KMS -South Korea ), the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society (LRMS - Philippines), the Thai Mission Society (TMS- Thailand). A new member has been added to the group list. For the first time, the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (MSFX - India), which received its pontifical right status in 2010 from the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP), joined in this meeting.
There were two major topics discussed in this meeting. The first was Evaluating Mission ad Gentes in Asia, which was tackled by Rev Dr JosephThekkekarott MST. Afterwards, Fr Patrick Casino MSP talked about the new missionary paradigm, that is, missio inter gentes, which has been discussed now in missionary circles. There was another mission talk given by Mar Bosco Puthur, the Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. The second topic, which was about the diocesan priests’ participation in mission or Associate Program, was presented by Fr Alfredo Africa Jr MSP.
The participants were Fr Alfredo Africa Jr (Father Moderator) and Fr Patrick Casino (Secretary General) of the MSP; Fr Noly Que (Father Moderator) and Fr Jose Yu (Vicar) of the LRMS; Fr Michael Jang (Secretary General) of the KMS, Fr Francis Carvalho (Superior General) of the MSFX. There were six priests coming from the host Society (MST): Fr James Athikalam (Director General), Fr Paul Mudathotty (Vicar), Fr Antony Perumanoor (Secretary General) , Fr Thomas Chirackal (Councilor), Fr Mathhew Elavumkal (Councilor) , and Fr Kurian Kochettonnil (Treasurer General).
The third day was utilized for touring around Kerala. The delegates visited the Cathedral as well as some significant churches and shrines. It concluded with a five-hour tour along the famed river via a boat-house. The next meeting will be in Thailand in 2015.
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