Bishop Jan Piotrowski opens Pontifical Mission Societies meeting

Bishop Jan Piotrowski opened an autumn meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies and missionary communities in Warsaw to discuss the future of missionary work in Poland. More than 80 participants attended the gathering to prepare for the centenary of World Mission Day, which is scheduled for October 18, 2026.

Bishop Piotrowski, who serves as the president of the Commission for Missions of the Polish Bishops' Conference, said that mission is part of the essence of the Church rather than an addition to it. He noted that the Church must find new ways to proclaim the Gospel and move beyond outdated methods to involve the entire community.

The meeting emphasized that churches in mission territories should be viewed as collaborators in proclaiming the Gospel rather than just recipients of aid. Participants noted that missionary responsibility involves more than material support and must include prayer, formation, and missionary animation. This requires cooperation between dioceses, religious congregations, missionary organizations, and lay people.