Pope to students of Propaganda Fide College: be true witnesses of dialogue

By Lisa Zengarini

“The world needs dialogue and peace. And it needs men and women who bear witness to it”. Addressing students of the Pontifical Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith (Pontificio Collegio Urbano "de Propaganda Fide") on Saturday, Pope Francis urged them to follow the example of those “martyrs of dialogue” who,  “have courageously traveled this road to be peacebuilders."

The College was established in the 17th Century by Pope Urban VIII for the purpose of training missionaries to spread the Gospel around the world. It comes under the direct authority of the Dicastery for Evangelization (formerly known as the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, and then for the Evangelization of Peoples).

Facing new missionary challenges with creativeness

In his address in the Consistory Hall, Pope Francis remarked that its creation “was an important intuition”, which missionaries today are called “to welcome and interpret in a creative way”, allowing themselves “to be challenged by the many needs and questions” of our times.

Recalling the theme chosen for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, “So that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach”, Pope Francis highlighted three characteristics needed for true disciple-missionaries close to God and to their brothers and sisters.

The courage of authenticity to be credible missionaries

The first quality is the courage of authenticity, which is what make missionaries credible, like Jesus was. In fact, the Pope said, closeness to God and our brothers and sisters is realized and strengthened to the extent that they “have the courage to strip off the masks” they wear, “perhaps to appear perfect, impeccable and respectful."

The Pope therefore warned the students against the “temptation of formalism” or the fascination of the "role" they hold, like the Pharisees did.

Going out of oneself

The second quality needed is the ability “to go out of oneself”, moving away from mental schemes and departing from our comfort zones. “Otherwise”, the Pope said “we risk adoring a God who is only a projection of our needs, and therefore an ‘idol’, and not even experiencing authentic encounters with others”.

Live the challenge of fraternity without fear

Noting that their diverse cultural backgrounds already offer them the opportunity to experience the richness of diversity during their formation in Rome, Pope Francis encouraged the Propaganda Fide students “to live the challenge of fraternity without fear, even when it requires hard work and sacrifices."

Openness to dialogue to build peace

Finally, the third quality required of a disciple-missionary is openness to dialogue: first  of all with God, in prayer, and then with others. “The world – stressed the Pope - needs dialogue, it needs peace. And it needs men and women who bear witness to it." Concluding, he, therefore, urged the students at the Propaganda Fide College to place themselves  “at the school of those ‘martyrs of dialogue’”, who, even in some of their  countries, “have courageously traveled this road to be peacebuilders.”