VENEZUELA: V Missionary Symposium Highlights Cooperation as a Path to Unity and Peace

The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Venezuela held the V Missionary Symposium on Tuesday, 13 October, at the Archdiocesan Curia of Caracas, located in El Rosal, as part of the activities marking the centenary of World Mission Sunday (DOMUND).

Under the motto “One in Christ, United in Mission,” the gathering addressed the theme “Missionary Cooperation: A Living Sign of Unity in the Proclamation of the Gospel,” with the aim of exploring cooperation as an expression of ecclesial communion and commitment to the universal mission of the Church.

In his opening remarks, Father Ricardo Guillén, National Director of the PMS in Venezuela, emphasized that missionary cooperation must go beyond material assistance and become an experience of reciprocity, shared responsibility and universal openness. In this regard, he invited participants to recognize differences as an opportunity to strengthen unity through a common faith and a shared commitment to evangelization.

For his part, Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas recalled that the Church is missionary by its very nature and that mission is a fundamental dimension of its identity. Addressing the seminarians in particular, he encouraged them to study the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality more deeply, as a means of renewing their ecclesial commitment and fostering greater interest in the ad gentes mission, directed towards peoples who do not yet know Christ.

Reconciliation, Fraternity and a Culture of Encounter

The programme brought together different perspectives and experiences on the challenges facing unity in society and in the life of the Church. Father Leonel Narváez, IMC, founder and director of the ESPERE Foundation, presented a reflection entitled “Justice, Reconciliation and Forgiveness as a Path to Unity,” highlighting the importance of promoting initiatives that help heal relationships and build a way of living together based on recognizing and respecting others.

Representatives of the Focolare Movement also shared experiences and concrete examples of unity in everyday life, showing how fraternity can become visible in personal relationships, communities and service activities.

Father Eduardo Soto, SJ, parish priest of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), explored missionary cooperation as a sign of the Church’s commitment to unity and peace. His contribution offered an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the relationship between proclaiming the Gospel and taking practical action that expresses communion and solidarity.

Cooperating to Strengthen the Universal Mission

The V Missionary Symposium provided an opportunity to renew awareness that cooperation is not limited to financial assistance or an organizational structure. Above all, it is a way of living communion, sharing the gifts received and supporting the evangelizing mission of local Churches, especially those in mission territories and circumstances.

In the context of the centenary of DOMUND, this reflection takes on particular significance: the prayer, solidarity and commitment of every baptized person contribute to the proclamation of Christ and to strengthening Christian communities throughout the world.

The event thus reaffirmed the call to build a Church that, despite its differences, remains united in Christ and makes missionary cooperation a living witness to fraternity, reconciliation and peace, so that the Gospel may reach all peoples.