Golden Jubilee For Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference Child safeguarding baptized Catholics. The first three societies in carrying out that goal, invite baptized Catholics to express their missionary commitment by offering their prayers, personal sacrifices and financial support for the work of the Church in the missions. The Missionary Union of priests and religious works to deepen mission awareness among priests, men and women Religious, Catechists and educators so that they are fully prepared to take on the mission formation of the faithful. What does the term “Pontifical” mean? The four societies each received the title “Pontifical” in 1922 to indicate their status as official instruments of the Holy Father and of the Universal Roman Catholic Church. They are under the Canonical Jurisdiction of the Pope. Where are the Pontifical Mission Societies located? National Offices exist in more than 120 countries around the world including Zimbabwe. The PMS National Offices for Zimbabwe are situated at the Africa Synod House Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference. Central administrative offices are located in Rome, Italy under the direction of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Cardinal Fernando Filoni is currently the Prefect of the Congregation. Previous PMS National Coordinators Over the years Zimbabwe has enjoyed both spiritual and material support from the four societies. The first PMS National Director to be appointed was the late Rt Rev Bishop Francis Mugadzi of Gweru Diocese. He was succeeded by Emeritus Archbishop Pius Ncube of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo. Fr Regis Rubaya of Gweru Diocese came third, then Fr Calistus Matibini of Masvingo Diocese. Fr Davison Lukio of the Archdiocese of Harare became the first National Director to be stationed at the conference while the previous used to operate from their respective dioceses. Currently Fr David Tinashe Muguti is the PMS National Coordinator. What makes the Pontifical Mission Societies Unique from other mission organizations? According to the teaching of Vatican II Council, the Pontifical Mission Societies are institutions of the Universal Church and of each Local Church. Therefore unlike any other mission organization, the Pontifical Mission Societies are both pontifical and Episcopal in nature. And as such, the Pontifical Mission Societies are recognized as the principal instrument for educating the faithful to an 76