Spain: Pontifical Mission Societies, the Iberian Church first in the world by number of missionaries. Average age 75

Spain’s Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) have presented their report for the work done in 2023. The document shows that Spain is first on the world’s list by the number of missionaries it sends, and second on the list by number of funds sent to the missions through the Pontifical Mission Societies. Spain has 9,932 missionaries, 6,042 currently working and 3,890 waiting for a new mission. 53% of them are women and 47% are men, from 383 different institutions (dioceses, congregations, institutes, associations, etc.). The average age is 75. Most of the missionaries of the Spanish Church (6 out of 10) are in America. The country with the largest number of Iberian missionaries is Peru (582). Through the Pontifical Mission Societies, 13 million euros were collected on the three missionary days of 2022 and sent in 2023 (Domund, Missionary Childhood Association and Native Vocations). Overall, 879 projects benefited from such funds, making Spain the second in the world in terms of financial aids, after the United States only. “We are not an NGO that copes with needs, we are that part of the Church that helps the Holy Father to fulfil his missionary duty”, stated Father José María Calderón, director of the Spanish Pontifical Mission Societies. The Pontifical Mission Societies’ work includes mission animation and awareness-raising, to “make all Christians aware that evangelisation is not just a missionary’s job, it is a job for all baptised members”, director Calderón added.
Valentina Bombelli