Missionary Union of Priests and Religious

Missionary Union of Priests and Religious

The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious is a spiritual apostolate.

Unlike the other three Pontifical Mission Societies, this mission society family member does not collect or distribute funds. Its purpose is to educate and inspire priests, Religious men and women, pastoral leaders and those responsible for catechesis and religious education so that they may better animate others to share their faith and to be missionaries themselves, supporting also the missionary work of the Church worldwide.

Missionary Plan of Cooperation   “One Family In Mission”
We believe that our mandate to bring the "good news" to all people
constitutes the essential mission of the church.

What is MCP?

The Missionary Cooperation Plan of the U.S. Catholic Church, referred to as MCP, was started in the late 1930’s and is conducted in Dioceses across the U.S. It is a way of centralizing the efforts of missionary organizations from around the world who wish to appeal to Catholics in the United States.


The purpose of the MCP is two-fold. First, the many men’s and women’s mission congregations, lay organizations and mission dioceses get a change to personally appeal for prayer and financial support from Catholics of the U.S. Secondly, we Catholics get the opportunity to be educated about what is happening in the mission field today. There are many new strides in mission. We emphasize solidarity and understanding of situations that make life so difficult for so many people. 

While these missionary groups and dioceses clearly receive prayers and financial support to continue their missionary work through the Missionary Plan of Cooperation, parishioners also benefit by learning about the missionary work of the Church. Experiencing the visit of a missionary helps us to expand our horizons and to better understand and reaffirm our baptismal calling to share in the mandate of Our Lord, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you, and know that I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). By praying with the missionary and by sharing in the celebration of the Mass, parishioners join their prayers with those of the missionaries and the people they serve.

The Mission Office will welcome nearly 20 missionary groups and dioceses including three religious communities of men and on religious communities of women to participate in the Missionary Plan of Cooperation. Many of these groups and dioceses operate in different places around the world, while others work right here in the United. We are proud to play a part in helping these missionaries continue their wonderful work of helping others to know and to love Jesus.


These are some of the places around the world that were assisted by our 2013 Missionary Plan of Cooperation: Awgu, Wa, Fiji, Waragal, Cuddapah, New Mexico, Nigeria, Pennsylvania, Owerri, Kerela, and organizations that serve world wide.

Rev. Msgr. Edward D. Lofton, Director
Helena Moniz, Associate Director
propagation@charlestondiocese.org

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