Dia Mundial das Missões/Portugal: «Jornada continua a ser sentida, temos uma narrativa muito bonita», afirmou diretor das Obras Missionárias Pontifícias

Father Manuel Augusto, director of the Pontifical Missionary Works in Portugal, said the Pope's call for unity ahead of World Mission Day is a response to tensions and divisions within local churches. Speaking to Agência Ecclesia, the Combonian priest noted that a lack of unity weakens the strength of Christian witness.

Pope Leo XIV has asked the Church to approach the centenary of World Mission Day, celebrated on October 18, with reconciled hearts to overcome polarization and mutual distrust. The Pope's message, themed "One in Christ, united in mission," encourages Catholics to embrace a universal vision of evangelization rather than fragmenting into factions. Father Augusto noted that the Pope emphasized that unity is a spiritual construction rather than uniformity.

The director's comments follow remarks from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who identified symptoms of tension, misunderstanding, and divergence within local churches.