Missionary Work not about “going abroad”: Congolese Catholic Bishop Says Witness to Christ Starts at Home

Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Diocese of Butembo-Beni told the faithful that missionary work is a calling for every baptized person rather than a task reserved for those traveling abroad. During a Mass at the Regina Pacis Major Seminary in Vuhira on October 18, the Congolese bishop stated that mission begins in a person's immediate environment.

Bishop Sikuli said Christians can act as missionaries in their daily lives by showing they are disciples of Christ through their actions. He suggested that people can turn their family, professional, and social routines into opportunities to demonstrate God's love where they live, work, or study.

The bishop also encouraged the community to support missionaries worldwide through prayer and material gifts to assist the Pope in his work with missionaries. The Mass marked the centenary of World Mission Day.