# African church leaders gather for mission training

> Diocesan directors from three countries meet to strengthen Catholic missionary work across Africa.
- Title: African church leaders gather for mission training | Shortify
- Summary: Diocesan directors from three countries meet to strengthen Catholic missionary work across Africa. Church leaders need strong missionary spirit, fundraising…
- Keywords: pontifical mission societies, catholic church, africa, zambia, zimbabwe, malawi, missionary formation, diocesan directors, missio england and wales, hwange, church leadership, religion
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2026-09/regional-pms-diocesan-directors-meet-for-formation-course-in-zim.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-22T11:46:55.787+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pontifical mission societies, catholic church, africa, zambia, zimbabwe, malawi, missionary formation, diocesan directors, missio england and wales, hwange, church leadership, religion
## Directors gather in Zimbabwe
Nineteen Diocesan Directors from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe met at Hwange Marian Shrine Centre for an induction and formation course led by Missio England and Wales.
## What makes a good director
Fr. Anthony Chantry outlined that Diocesan Directors need missionary spirit, fundraising skills, theological knowledge of papal documents, and strong communication abilities.

> a Diocesan Director needs to have a strong missionary spirit, the ability to promote the missionary activity of the Catholic Church
## Four societies, four pillars
The Pontifical Mission Societies include the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Society of the Holy Childhood, Society of St. Peter the Apostle, and the Pontifical Missionary Union, built on prayer, charity, formation, and information.

> the Pontifical Missionary Union is the soul of PMS
## Pope calls for renewed missionary zeal
Pope Leo XIV recently urged the Pontifical Mission Societies at their Annual General Assembly, attended by representatives from over 120 countries, to rekindle missionary zeal and strengthen global communion.
## Zambia trains missionary animators
Zambia's PMS office, led by newly appointed National Director Fr. Alfred Macheleta, runs the School of Missionary Animation to train catechists, teachers, and parish coordinators in missionary spirituality for children and communities.
## Sharing best practices across borders
The course brought together leaders to pray, receive formation, and exchange strategies for missionary animation in their respective countries, strengthening the church's work across the region.
## Key takeaway

Church leaders need strong missionary spirit, fundraising skills, and theological grounding to effectively promote the Catholic Church's global mission.