Final statement of the general assembly for missionary animation

1. Missionary animation is a fundamental element of the Comboni charism and a vital strategic aspect for the support and nourishment of the mission. It is intrinsically linked to evangelisation.
2. Missionary animation originates from a profound encounter with the Risen Christ and from the example of Saint Daniel Comboni who was a great missionary animator.
3. Every Comboni member is a missionary animator, in whatever activity or ministry entrusted to him.
4. We hope that both the circumscriptions and the General Administration will assign more personnel for the service of missionary animation which requires missionaries with a strong faith and a simple lifestyle.
5. We feel there is an urgent need to form missionary animators with immediate preparation courses for this ministry, formative programs in continental assemblies and professional specialisations (CA ’22, 32.3). The training priorities are in the field of journalism (paper and digital) and social networks.
6. In the light of the magisterium of Pope Francis, which emphasises that “all things are connected” (Laudato si’, 6; 16; 91 117; 138), missionary animation and integral ecology seem to us to be closely connected.
7. It is important to value the media that we already have available: magazines, books, digital platforms, websites, social networks, and other publications, which enrich the missionary animation service in our circumscriptions. As long as they prove useful, we should continue to rely on them and enhance them.
8. We are committed to collaborating with all missionary animation agents at every level (cf. CA ’22, 33) through systematic planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the activities.

Rome, 26^th April 2024