The Asia and Oceania Continental Meeting of the P.M.S. National Directors of Asia and Oceania Continents was held this year from 19th to 23rd February, 2025 at Mary MacKillop Place, William Street, North Sydney NSW Australia. 18 P.M.S. National Directors representing the said two Continents participated at this Meeting. The Meeting was chaired by Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, National Director, Pontifical Mission Societies – Sri Lanka as the Asian Delegate Moderator.
This Continental Meeting was well organized by Rev. Fr. Brian Lucas, National Director, Catholic Mission, Australia. He welcomed all in a laudable manner.
Mrs. Kelly Paget, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay and Synodality Assembly Member, delivered the Keynote Address and spoke on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”.
She shared the experiences had at the synodality meeting that was held in Rome with Group discussions.
Next Rev. Fr. Michael PUI, National Director, New Zealand conducted a talk on Work of PMS- Context, Challenges and Hopes for Oceania and Asia. By Group discussions he did share about the Mission in New Zealand. It was Rev. Fr. Paul Chatsirey Roeung, National Director, Cambodia – Laos who conducted the Reflection of the day. The Evening Prayer and the Eucharistic celebration this day was conducted by Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia. On the next day Morning Prayers and Holy Mass was conducted and celebrated by Rev. Fr. Khohi MBWI, National Director, Taiwan. A visit to the Catholic Mission Office was made this day.
The National Directors were made to view presentations and engage in at length discussions on Fundraising, Formations, Programs and Communications.
Thereafter, the National Directors departed to the Catholic Mission Office for the Parramatta Cathedral. His Lordship Most Rev. Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv., Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta briefed and provided insights and shared of the needs, challenges, possibilities and hopes of the local church community. The Evening Prayer of the day was conducted by Rev. Sr. Mariana MARAMANICAVA, National Director, Pacific Islands. At session 3 this day Msgr. Estaban LO, National Director, Philippines spoke about the National Directors sharing of emerging learnings. Reflection of the day was conducted by Rev. Fr. Christian Seiland, National Director, Papua New Guinea.
At the 4th session Dr. Ursula, Stephans, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited delivered a talk on Safeguarding and the Mission of PMS with Plenary discussions.
At session 5 Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, National Director, Sri Lanka and Asian Delegate Moderator held a discussion on the Mission Congress Asia & Oceania, organized by the FABC-OE and PMS – Asia & Oceania. Accordingly, it was decided and agreed upon by all that the Mission Congress is to be held in Malaysia from 27th – 30th November, 2025.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Adrian LOZA, National Director, Turkey. At the next session the National Directors shared information and resources on one local country project supported by PMS.
In a special manner at length discussions were made on how to provide facilities for existing challenges faced in common by the Asia and Oceania Continents. Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, National Director, Sri Lanka and Asian Delegate Moderator stressed some facts and said that through cooperation and decisions, solutions for such challenges can be found in the future.
The Asia and Oceania Continental was successfully concluded with the thanksgiving Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, at the Chair in conclusion said that by the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit it has been possible to end this Meeting in a fruitful manner. The National Directors arrived at a decision to hold the next Asia and Oceania Continental Meeting 2026 in Korea from 13th to 17th April, 2026.
By Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando
National Director,
Pontifical Mission Societies
Francis Casie Chetty.
PMS National Office
