Month: November 2013 Page 1 of 3

Dear All,

Good news!

We have a new Bishop for Mansa.

Fr. Patrick Chisanga OFM Conventual. He was the provincial of the Conventuals between 2008 and 2012 in Zambia.

While we wish him a fruitful episcopate we also welcome back our Mike with warm hands. It has been a long road! Welcome back Mike and congratulations!

Christopher Chileshe, SAP Provincial

Pope appoints Fr Chisanga Mansa bishop

By Masuzyo Chakwe, The Post Newspaper Sun 01 Dec. 2013

POPE Francis has appointed Fr Patrick Chisanga as the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mansa.
According to Zambia Episcopal Conference spokesperson Fr Paul Samasumo, Fr Chisanga was a Franciscan priest of a religious congregation within the Catholic Church known as the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

“Fr Chisanga is currently a lecturer of Psychology at St Bonaventure College in Lusaka’s Makeni township. The Diocese of Mansa has had no substantive Bishop since the retirement of Bishop Aaron Chisha on 15 January 2009. Fr Michael Merizzi, a missionary priest of the White Fathers, has been the Apostolic Administrator. Fr Merizzi will continue to be in charge of the Diocese of Mansa until the Bishop-elect, Fr Chisanga, is ordained as Bishop of Mansa, on a date to be announced,” he stated.

He stated that Fr Chisanga was born on the Copperbelt in Kamuchanga, Mufulira on May 16, 1971 and completed his secondary school education at the minor seminary of Ndola Diocese in 1990.
After school, he joined the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and upon completion of training as a Franciscan student studying philosophy and theology, Fr Chisanga was ordained a priest on June 27, 1999 in Ndola.

In 2006, Fr Chisanga obtained a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Since his ordination as a priest, Fr Chisanga has served the Church in various capacities as a parish priest, director of formation for the Franciscans, in charge of the Franciscans here in Zambia and as a senior lecturer of Psychology at St Bonaventure College.

ZAMBIE – Nomination de l’Évêque de Mansa

Cité du Vatican (Agence Fides) – Le Saint-Père François, en date du 30 novembre 2013, a nommé Evêque du Diocèse de Mansa, en Zambie, le Père Patrick Chisanga, O.F.M. Conv., ancien Ministre provincial de l’Ordre des Frères mineurs conventuels en Zambie.

Le nouvel Evêque est né le 16 mai 1971 à Kamuchanga, dans le Diocèse de Ndola. Une fois achevés l’école primaire à Buyantanshi et le collège, à Mufulira – Ndola, il a été admis au Petit Séminaire de Ndola. En 1990, il est entré comme Postulant au sein de l’Ordre des Frères mineurs conventuels. Il a effectué son Noviciat à Solwezi et a émis ses vœux temporaires en 1992. Après avoir achevé ses études de Philosophie et de Théologie, il a émis ses voeux perpétuels à Nairobi en 1998. Il a été ordonné prêtre le 27 juin 1999.

Après son ordination sacerdotale, il a exercé les ministères suivants : 1999-2001 : Curé de Saints Michel et Noé à Kitwe, 2001-2002 : Vice-gardien et formateur au Collège Bonaventure de Regina Pacis à Chawama-Lusaka, 2002-2006 : Etudes supérieures en Psychologie à Rome près l’Université pontificale grégorienne, 2006-2008 : Gardien et Directeur de la formation des étudiants en Théologie près le Makeny Friary de Lusaka, simultanément, enseignant de Psychologie au Collège Bonaventure de Lusaka, 2008-2012 : Ministre provincial des Frères mineurs conventuels de la Province de Zambie et Malawi. Il est actuellement professeur au Collège Bonaventure de Lusaka. (SL) (Agence Fides 30/11/2013)

Anti-Slavery campaign in the Southern Africa Province

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2013

In Publications

125^th Anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie’s Anti-Slavery campaign.

Many events and initiatives at the level of SAP during the year

As I am writing these lines, one of the major events organised at the level of SAP to mark the 125^th anniversary of Lavigerie’s Anti-Slavery campaign, has just come to an end. Initially, it had been envisaged that a bus highlighting the Anti-Slavery campaign would tour through all the sectors of the Province picking up and dropping off people as it went along. As it was, the Mozambique sector was the only one able to organise this aspect of the campaign. A minibus set off from Beira on 29^th August and travelled to Tete, the boom town along the Zambezi River, picking up some people from our parishes of Dombe and Sussundenga. A two day awareness event was organised in Tete and the same happened in Chimoio a week later. Hundreds of people took part. The final event took place in Beira, at the Nazaré centre, from 12^th to 15^th September 2013. Conferences, debates, drama, radio and television interviews took place and there was a 4-day-long continuous and interested involvement of some 80 participants. This was a considerable achievement for our confreres in Mozambique.

By Claudio Zuccala, M.Afr

FULL TEXT

TEXTE COMPLET EN FRANÇAIS

Present Magazine December 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2013

In Publications, Zambia Sector

Greetings! From the East where all the wise left to pitch tents up in the North. Currently, it is rather warm and dry here, but hopefully God will be merciful to send us some few drops of his blessings.
The “Come and See” session is going on well with six young men. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit Navutika, Mary Mother of God Parish which is in being looked after by our humorous and zealous Missionary, Abambo Joe.
The Parish is very young but full of life with a diversity of pastoral activities to explore. It was interesting to go and see what is happening up there. FULL TEXT

The Institution of Acolytes in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2013

In News

Theology Students in Abidjan 2013

We are very glad to share with you our joy of a very important event that we had on the 15th November 2013. On that special day, we had a festival Eucharistic celebration where the official institution of 12 acolytes took place. Among the twelve instituted as acolytes were Paul Kitha from Malawi and Mukuka Humphrey from Zambia. The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Emmanuel NG’ONA, who is also one of the members of the General Council for the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. This is because it was the same week our community (Fraternité Lavigerie) had an official visit of Emmanuel NG’ONA and Jean-Michel Laurent the secretary to formation. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have been supporting us in different ways. We will equally keep praying for you so that our God of love will continue being the light of yourlife. Our hope and expectation is that we become faithful servants of the Lord at all time through this ministry of acolyte. By Mukuka Humphrey and Makambi Kitha Paul

Humphrey Mukuka

Paul Kitha

Conference on Mission – FENZA – 7th December

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 28, 2013

In News

CONFERENCE ON MISSION

THEME: NEW PERSPECTIVES IN MISSION,

THE CHALLENGE FOR NEW PARADIGMS

“As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn. 20:21);

“Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation…” (Mk. 16:15).

How do you evangelise a man, a woman or indeed a youth who rarely or never goes to church but is all the time on the Internet “facebooking”, “twittering” and “smsing”? How do you reach out to a person who belongs to another religion? Which methodology is relevant to our context of a globalised and digitalised world?

Hear more about new ways of connecting people to Jesus Christ, moving from old to new ways of mission with continuity and discontinuity.

WHERE: At Faith and Encounter Centre (FENZA) Bauleni, behind St. Mathias Catholic Church.

WHEN: Saturday 7^th December 2013, From 14.00hrs to 17.00hrs

SPEAKERS:

Fr. Laston Lupupa

Rev. Ezron Musonda

Fr. Marc Nsanzurwimo

We hope to see on Saturday 7^th December at 14.00hrs

FENZA Team

MOZAMBIQUE – Southern African Bishops’ Appeal for Peace in Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 28, 2013

In News

Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – Cautious opening of the Mozambican government’s with regards to the request of RENAMO (Mozambique National Resistance) to involve domestic observers in the dialogue to resolve the crisis that saw the national army attack the headquarters of the former guerrilla movement in the forests of Sadjunjira in the central province of Sofala, on October 21. The leader of RENAMO, Afonso Dhlakama, managed to escape and hide in an unspecified place.

Since then, in attacks committed by men of RENAMO to government institutions and along the roads, dozens of people have lost their lives.

José Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture and head of the government commission for dialogue with the main = opposition party, said that the government is ready to recognize the participation in discussions with RENAMO of Lourenco do Rosario, Rector of the private “A Polytechnic” University, and Mgr. Dinis Sengulane, Anglican Bishop of Lebombo, but rejected the idea of involving foreign mediators, saying that “we Mozambicans can solve internal affairs”.

Meanwhile in the administrative elections boycotted by RENAMO, the ruling party, FRELIMO, was re-elected at the head of the administration of the capital Maputo.

The Mozambican crisis was recalled by IMBISA Assembly (Interregional Association of Bishops of Southern Africa), the body that brings together the Bishops of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, which was held in mid-November in Gaborone (Botswana). “We follow with concern, says the message of IMBISA, what is happening in Mozambique in recent times. It seems that the weapons are being replaced, bringing suffering and death, to dialogue and cooperation of all for the consolidation of peace”.

Referring to the peace agreements of 1992, which put an end to a war which lasted 17 years, the message said that “Mozambique and its leaders are taken as an example of how to end a long war through dialogue”.

“Mozambique plays a very important role in our region. Its progress and stability are vital for our Countries to consolidate their development. We therefore call on our governments to join their voices to that of the people of Mozambique to demand the cessation of all acts of violence and the use of weapons and to encourage all efforts of dialogue”, the document concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2013)

Come closer to yourself, book written by Marcel Neels, M.Afr.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 28, 2013

In Publications

Dear Confrère,

I have published a book called “Come closer to yourself”. It is the outcome of many retreats I directed. I truly believe that it can be an excellent tool for spiritual reflection for many of us. May I ask you to kindly make it known to the confreres of your responsibility? You can have a look at the book and its content table by typing the title “Come closer to yourself” in Google search. Google advertises the book for a couple of months. Perhaps a good present for Christmas to give to confreres, priests, Sisters?

The book can be ordered directly from the Publisher

Thank you in advance for your fraternal cooperation in this matter.

Marcel Neels, M.Afr.

Death of the mother of our confrere Stanislas Lubungo

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 27, 2013

In News

Dear Confreres,

I regret to inform you of the passing on of Stan Lubungo’s mother in Mpongwe hospital last night. She was admitted yesterday and passed away around 02 hours.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

Let us pray for her that she rests in peace and for the family that they find strength in the Lord.

If you would like to pass a word of condolences to Stan who is still in France, you may do so by sending a word to Stanislas below this message under “Leave a comment”.

In Christ,

Christopher Chileshe, M.Afr

SAP Provincial

UPDATES:

The funeral took place on the 29th November 2013.

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 27, 2013

In Publications

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World

1. THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.

I. A JOY EVER NEW, A JOY WHICH IS SHARED

2. The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.

Full text in English (571 KB – 76 pages)

Summary in French / Français (146 KB)

Interview with Vanessa Jackson

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 26, 2013

In Publications

Interview with Vanessa Jackson who is an African-American women who shares with us her liberation journey. Her personal journey goes from trauma to power wounding. She is an activist and a “narrative therapist”. In this interview she shows to be quite critical with the traditional clinical approach to people who have been carrying wounds from systemic oppression, especially from inherited slavery. She says: “Dr. Cartwright was an expert in slave medicine and based on his observations and reports from overseers, he described a mental illness that caused slaves to run away from their natural condition of enslavement. As a pro-slavery advocate, Dr. Cartwright believed that such behavior could only be characterized as mental illness. While this term sounds completely outrageous to us today, I would argue that such terms as oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorders which are widely use to describe, medicate and incarcerate children and adolescents are modern day examples of pathologizing efforts to liberate oneself and these labels blind us to the oppression that marginalized groups, like enslaved persons and children experience when they lack power and agency.” Full Text