Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII holds missionary summit in Sri Lanka

Missionary representatives from the Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII gathered in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, from September 27 to October 5 to discuss intercultural dialogue and regional challenges in Asia and Oceania.

Participants from Italy, Bangladesh, and Australia addressed the declining number of Italian missionaries stationed permanently in the region. In countries like India and Bangladesh, development and solidarity activities are now primarily managed by local members with distinct cultural backgrounds, necessitating a focus on respectful dialogue and listening.

The summit also highlighted the need to adapt to rapid social changes and economic inequalities within the regions where the community operates. The Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII provides support for vulnerable individuals, including those with physical and mental disabilities, and manages programs for child protection and educational support in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Australia.