IMS celebrates its 60th anniversary
30/07/2025
Invitation to a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing an international fund for mutual aid and assistance for missionaries.
Founded on 30 June 1965 under the auspices of the Conference of Major Superiors of France, International Missionary Benefit Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year!
A mutual aid organisation, IMS was established under Swiss law in order to guarantee complete neutrality. Non-profit, non-competitive and supported and approved by the Holy See, this organisation seeks to reconcile the two necessities of international solidarity and national responsibility.
In the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, its objective is to enable all missionaries throughout the world, as well as religious and clergy of
young churches, to enjoy equal rights to healthcare. The IMS is also open to pastoral workers from other Christian churches.
As a mutual aid association in the spirit of the Gospel, it enables major superiors and bishops to fulfil their canonical responsibility (C.619) towards their members in the field of health.
Article from La Croix, 12 April 1966
Click to enlarge image
On the occasion of IMS’s 50th anniversary, its General Assembly was held in Rome and some sixty administrators were able to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, who addressed this message to IMS:
‘I extend a special greeting to the members of IMS. Dear friends, I warmly encourage your service to Congregations and Dioceses in facilitating access to healthcare for their members and thus promoting their dedication to the mission.’
This year, to mark the 60th anniversary of IMS, a Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at Notre-Dame de Paris on 27 November 2025. It will be an opportunity to rejoice for these years of service to the health of religious men and women, priests and consecrated lay people throughout the world.