The newly established Secretariat for New Missionary Initiatives in Europe gathered for the first time in Kaunas, Lithuania, from Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th April, hosted warmly by the local Redemptorist community.
The secretariat is comprised of four priests drawn from across Europe: Fr. Laureano del Otero Sevillano (from Spain, based in Ciorani, Italy), Fr. Pedro Lopez (from Spain, based in Porto, Portugal), Fr. Rastislav Dluhý (from Slovakia, based in Kaunas, Lithuania), and Fr. Peter Morris (from Scotland, based in London, England).
Discussions during the meetings were held in English and Spanish. At times, an electronic translation aid was used, and at other times, on-the-spot verbal translation was needed when members struggled to understand various points being made.
Among the topics discussed were the perceived realities related to the restructuring process; experiences of apostolic life and mission initiatives; collaboration with our partners in mission; and attempts to facilitate the discernment of potential ways forward in identifying and fostering new missionary initiatives in Europe.
The days were sprinkled with encounters, both planned and spontaneous, with various people involved in the extended community in Kaunas. An evening introducing the faithful to St. Gerard Majella was held on Wednesday after Mass, which was well-attended after having being advertised across the city. Many came forward at the end to be blessed by the saint’s relic. Later, on Friday, after a spontaneous encounter with the director of Radio Maria, Lithuania, the remaining members of the secretariat recorded a feature on St. Gerard, intended for broadcast later throughout the nation.
The Coordinator of the Conference of Europe, Fr. Piotr Chyła, intended to be present but unfortunately his flights had been cancelled. Instead, he met with the secretariat on Friday afternoon remotely and was impressed with the work that had been achieved and encouraged the members greatly in the work they are faced with ahead.
The meetings and everything in between were characterised by honesty, passion for mission and were liberally seasoned with good humour.
by Fr. Peter Morris, CSsR
