The Pontifical Mission Society (PMS) consisting of the 4 societies- Propagation for Faith (POF), Holy childhood Association (HCA), Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) and St Peter the Apostle (SPA) is an arm of the church managed and charged by the papacy for the direct evangelization of the gospel in the Universal Catholic Church. Its National body in Nigeria had its annual Joint Coordinators meeting for 4 days meeting which took place from 23rd to 26th Jan, 2018 in Sokoto diocese (Pinnacle Hotel Tamaje, Sokoto) with about 83 Priests, religious and lay persons as delegates in attendance from all over the country.
At the opening mass which was celebrated by the catholic Bishop of the host diocese (Sokoto diocese) Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah as the Chief celebrant with him was Very Rev. Fr. George Olusegun Ajana (National PMS Director) and other Priests in attendance as co-celebrants at the mass. The PMS National Director gave a brief overview of the PMS visit to Sokoto state for its annual meeting and stated that the PMS was grateful to be hosted by the Bishop of Sokoto diocese. During his sermon, the Bishop welcomed the whole delegates to his diocese and said it was an honour to host missionaries all over Nigeria. He appreciated all the delegates that made it to Sokoto and praised the efforts put in place by the National PMS body in ensuring that not only Priests and religious are involved in the missionary evangelization work of the Church in the PMS but also lay persons. He further charged them to continue to be good ambassadors of Christ.
During the opening plenary, Fr George O. Ajana highlighted points that will be discussed in the course of the National meeting. He used the medium to introduce the new approved caretaker/National Coordinator for the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) in Nigeria in the person of Rev Sr Sylvaline Obiezughara, OP (PMS Director, Sokoto Diocese). She is taking over from Rev Sr Mary Bennet Azuka Ezeokoli, IHM (PMS Director, Onitsha Archdiocese) who has managed the association for 18 years (1999-2017). The handover of official documents was done and the new National HCA Coordinator Rev. Sr. Sylvaline Obiezughara, OP was congratulated and charged to continue to move the society forward.
After their fruitful deliberations for days, the meeting came to a close with resolutions which was produced and will be sent to the CBCN for necessary deliberations and approvals. The 83 delegates were taken round the diocese of Sokoto on tour after which they were hosted to a gala-nite entertainment organized by the Bishop- Most Rev Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah to round up with the PMS meeting as he wish them farewell to their various diocese.
