Month: November 2013 Page 2 of 3
The Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) in Malawi is pleased to announce that
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – Do everything possible to clean up politics and administration in order to regain the confidence of international donors whose aid is needed to alleviate the suffering of the population. This is the meaning of the message delivered by Chris Chisoni, Secretary General of the Commission for “Justice and Peace” of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, at a press conference at the end of the meeting of the Commissions “Justice and Peace” of 8 Catholic dioceses in the Country.
“The Church cannot just sit and watch some of the challenges Malawians are facing now hence the need for us to speak out with one voice over these issues”, said Chisoni.
International donors (European Union, Great Britain, Norway and the African Development Bank) have stopped giving aid to Malawi following the discovery of serious fraud on the use of funds received. It is estimated that at least 185 million dollars have been stolen from state coffers.
So far, fifty officials have been arrested, including the Minister of Justice, Ralph Kasambara.
In relation to the so-called “cash-gate” Chisoni said that “we want the arrest of all those involved, sparing no sacred cow”.
Representatives of Justice and Peace finally ask donors to reconsider the suspension of aid that is having serious social consequences: food shortages in certain areas of the Country, with serious risks to people; drastic decrease of school attendance and risks for next year’s harvest. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2013)
The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Christ says of himself: “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46). Saint Paul uses the same image: “God who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts” (2 Cor 4:6). The pagan world, which hungered for light, had seen the growth of the cult of the sun god, Sol Invictus, invoked each day at sunrise. Yet though the sun was born anew each morning, it was clearly incapable of casting its light on all of human existence. The sun does not illumine all reality; its rays cannot penetrate to the shadow of death, the place where men’s eyes are closed to its light. “No one — Saint Justin Martyr writes — has ever been ready to die for his faith in the sun”. FULL TEXT Texte en français
Invitation from the Missionaries of Africa, Merrivale Formation House Community in South Africa.
Ordination to the diaconate of Antony Alckias (India) and Tomasz Podrazik (Poland)
Date: Saturday, 14th December 2013.
Venue: St. Raphael Parish, Kwa Mzimba, Arch-diocese of Durban, South Africa.
Time: 11:00 AM.
By His Eminence Wilfrid Cardinal Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban.
Greetings from JCTRWe are happy as always to share with you the 2013 October Basic Needs Basket for Lusaka and accompanying press release. We hope this information is helpful for you.
To get more on this and other JCTR activities, please visit our website or contact us on the address and numbers indicated below. We also invite you to visit our well stocked resource room for your research and other information needs.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, requests or comments.
We always appreciate your feedback on how you are using the Basket.
Namundi Siwale
Acting Information Officer
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Press Release BNB October 2013
Fraternité Lavigerie, Abidjan Ivory Coast
The Missionaries of Africa are pleased to invite you to the Oath and the Diaconate of 5 Missionaries of Africa. See Invitation card.
Adam CHOMA 
Lamec CIZA 
Gaspard CIRIMWAMI 
Christian MUHINEZA 
Armand DAKOUO
Fr. Ignatius Anipu, Provincial, will receive the Oaths on Friday the 6th December 2013 at la Fraternité Lavigerie.
Bishop Claude Rault M.Afr., Bishop of Laghouat (Algeria), will confer the Diaconate on Saturday the 7th of December 2013 at 9.00 pm at St Jean-Baptiste d’Abobo-Avocatier Parish on Sunday 8th December Thanksgiving Mass. We congratulate them wholeheartedly as well as their families.
Fraternité Lavigerie
Missionnaires d’Afrique, Pères Blancs
13 BP 3110, Abidjan, 13
Côte d’Ivoire
I hope and trust that you are all fine. This year has been quiet busy for me with Fr. Mambwe leaving Kolibo Center for his new appointment. My life will now be more than ever before between Serenje and anywhere else. At present I am in Serenje with ten young men for a “Come and See” after which I shall be headed to Chipata next week 25th November to 29th for another “Come and See” with six young men.
It is good to note that the East has continued to grow as regards the number of aspirants; we can only thank the Lord and also appreciate the efforts of our confrères there, who have been so motivating and instrumental in this ministry. FULL TEXT
– Dans la rubrique « Actualités » :« Les statistiques du personnel M.Afr.» : classé par nationalité, lieu d’engagement, etc… voir en particulier celles de tous les candidats présentement en formation.(lire la suite)
« En mémoire du père Emilio Escudero », un article décrivant la célébration qui a eu lieu le 2 novembre à Sikasso, où le père Escudero a passé pratiquement l’intégralité de sa vie missionnaire en Afrique. (lire la suite) – Dans la rubrique « Témoignages »
« Ma première expérience de congé » : Alex Manda, notre confrère Zambien travaillant à Korhogo en Côte d’Ivoire, vient de revenir de son premier congé et nous partage son expérience. (lire la suite)
« Oser vivre la rencontre à Lusaka ». Jean Baptiste Todjro, stagiaire togolais en Zambie, parle de ses diverses rencontres avec Maria ; une femme bien particulière. (lire la suite) – Dans la rubrique « Justice et paix » :
« La dernière lettre du diocèse de Ghardaia », qui se penche entre autres sur le divers problèmes vécus par les personnes qui cherchent à émigrer vers l’Europe. (lire la suite) – Dans la rubrique « vu au sud – vu du sud »
« La ronde des petits métiers », un article paru dans le dernier numéro de « Voix d’Afrique », et qui raconte comment pour survivre en Afrique, il faut faire preuve de beaucoup d’imagination. (lire la suite) – Dans la rubrique « Maisons de formation »
« Dans la même fraternité à Abidjan » : comment les étudiants déjà bien engagés sur le chemin vers l’engagement définitif vivent la fraternité avec ceux qui commencent à découvrir qui sont les Missionnaires d’Afrique (lire la suite)
I had a car accident on the 17th May 2011 on my way from Bamako to Gao in Mali. I was lucky to be taken immediately to Bamako. A fracture on the spine at the level of the neck was diagnosed and the doctors did what they could to keep it stable. I stayed in Bamako for treatment and moved back to Gao in November 2011. But, the Provincial Council of PAO thought it wise to bring me back again to Bamako where I could receive medical attention if needed since I was still experiencing pain.
I was therefore appointed to Korofina Parish where I could continue my physiotherapy treatments which was reducing my discomfort. At times, the pain was stronger, mostly at night. Doctors recommended me for further medical attention and a time of rest. So, in April 2012, my request was well receive by the Provincial Councils of PAO and SAP.
I was back to Zambia in June, 2012. Meanwhile, I felt a bit better and I was asked to give a hand in the Formation House in Balaka while still on treatment. I arrived in Balaka in October 2012. I spent one academic year which was a blessing for me. Then, I asked the Provincial Council if I could go for further medical attention as the pain was persisting. I could not sleep well. The request was accepted and I flew to South Africa on the 20th July 2013. I got my first appointment two days later.
The first diagnosis was quite revealing. I had a fracture on the base of the odontoid with 50% anterior displacement of the odontoid peg on the body of Cervical 2. It was a life threatening fracture. According to the doctor. Such fracture are supposed to be operated upon immediately or at least within a week. My case has become very complicated. They did not know what to do. They were puzzled on how I could have survived. Each movement was a mortal risk. I could have just fallen down or received a simple shock on the neck and that would have been death.
After a thorough research on my case and days of anxious waiting, I was called back to the hospital. I was informed that it was vital that I should undergo a cervical surgery which was quite delicate. If the injury would have been new, some screws to hold the vertebrae in position would have been enough. But, because of being an old injury, a bone grafting was needed. The chance of success was only 50%.
Before the operation on the neck, I spent 48 hours under traction which happened to be the most painful part of the whole process. Finally, the operation took place on the 29th July. The bone for transplant was taken from my hip which was an operation by itself. Then, the bone was fixed on my neck putting the vertebrae together attached with wires.
I was discharged after eleven days but remained under medication. I also had physiotherapy for some weeks. During this time, the M.Afr community in South Africa, particularly in Edenglen, was a blessing for me. I felt a brotherhood care and love. It was very therapeutic for me. I also had a chance to be with my extended family members who are living in Johannesburg. I had a visit of my aunties and uncles each weekend. As a matter of fact, I have a little cousin who spent weekends with me. So life was not so boring and lonely. God has His own ways to help us to bear our crosses.
I am getting back to normal slowly. My neck is still a bit stiff, but the pain has reduced significantly. I will never move it as before but, over time, I can get back about 70% percent of its normal movements. For me, this surgical operation marks the end of a long suffering and the beginning of a new life. This event taught me to value each minute and to live it meaningfully with love and gratitude. The scars behind my neck and my back will always hold a story.
God bless.
Didasio Mwanza, M.Afr