Lahore, PAKISTAN, 17.10.08 - Preparations for the First Missionary Congress in Pakistan, to be held in Karachi on 25-29 November, 2009, were announced on World Mission Sunday.

Beginning on WMS, all Catholics will be encouraged to begin preparing for the National Missionary Congress, which (in following up to the Asian Missionary Congress in Thailand, in 2006) will have the theme: 'Telling Jesus’ Story in Pakistan.'

The Congress, organized by the Bishops’ Conference, will take place in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Karachi and will be attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Tito Yllana.

Fr Mario Rodrigues, National Director of the PMS in Pakistan, said that it will be an important moment for the local Catholic community, which will be able to examine its responsibility and missionary task within the country and in the mission ad gentes. It will be able to consider its relationship with society and with other religious communities, and plan future evangelization projects.