Author: Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP) Page 13 of 113

I want to thank you all for your support in various ways during the preparations and after my ordination to the priesthood. Everything went on very well because of your support, both spiritually and financially.

I am so grateful to my Parish Priest, Fr. Peter Tembo, and to all the parishioners of St. Monica – Lukanga of Kabwe Diocese who sacrificed their time and money to ensure that my ordination be a success. Indeed it was a beautiful celebration. I am grateful to my siblings and to Fr. Isaac Mbewe who have always supported me since the first day of my initial formation, you are such a blessing to me.

It has been a blessing for me and for my entire family to have had Didasio Mwanza involved in the ordination preparations. The days and nights he spent in my family before the ordination will never be forgotten, they meant a lot to me and to my family. May the good Lord keep blessing you abundantly!

Looking at the people who came from different parts of Zambia, from Congo, and from Malawi, and also looking at my confreres who, regardless of their tight programs like the Post-Capitular meeting but managed to come and participate and witness to my ordination, I have no reason why I should not carry you all in my prayers and ask the good Lord to guide and protect. Thank you very much.

Link: Priestly Ordination of Father Robbin Simbeye, M.Afr, at St Monica parish in Kabwe, Zambia.

International Conference on Pentecostalism and the Catholic Church – Abuja, 13-17 November 2016.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 5, 2016

In Publications

International Conference on Pentecostalism and the Catholic Church.

bernhard-udelhoven-03 By Bernhard Udelhoven, M.Afr

I was invited to attend the International Conference on Pentecostalism and the Catholic Church that took place in Abuja (13-17 November 2016), and that was organised jointly by the Nigerian and the German Bishops Conferences. It was a follow-up on a previous conference in Rome (which I did not attend), and it addressed questions about new trends in the Pentecostal global mission, in the ministry of deliverance and healing, oral hermeneutics and Pentecostal ways of reading the Bible (the Holy Spirit as prime agent of interpretation within a concrete community), a theology of prosperity shaped by the context of the Church’s option for the poor, and ventures of evangelisation through the social media. The conference addressed also the challenges of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Pentecostalism in its immense variety.

The attendance of the conference proved to be an interesting mix. Apart from various scholars on Pentecostalism from around the world (among them Amos Yong, Opoku Onyinah, Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Andreas Heuser, Richard Burgess and Afe Adogame), the conference was also intensely followed by thirty or so Nigerian bishops plus priests from all the fifty dioceses. Some of them were charismatics themselves, while others seemed rather sceptical about Pentecostal influences. Bishops and priests also had their own internal meetings in the evenings to discuss what the various contributions would mean to their situation and how they wanted to respond in a unified way. Apart from discussing a dialogue with Pentecostalism, the Nigerian Church was also seeking answers to the Pentecostal impact on Catholic practice. The invited Pentecostal and non-Catholic scholars were greatly outnumbered by the massive Catholic presence, but I guess that they also gained their own insights into the internal workings of the Catholic Church and how Pentecostalism is perceived by Catholics on an official level. Maybe it would have needed more time for all of us to digest better the different topics that have been presented to us.

Personally, I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet and interact with different scholars on a topic that I have been quite engaged with. The conference has made me more humble, showing me how little I know about Pentecostalism, about its enormous sense of mission, about new ways of doing theology (based on the primacy of the Holy Spirit, dynamic experience and orality over reflection and interpretation), and about a highly organised outreach, often from the grassroots. We would all profit from an informed debate on the Pentecostal challenges.

Link FENZA website: Spirits and the healing of body and spirit: pastoral challenges by Bernhard Udelhoven. A paper delivered at the Conference on Pentecostalism and the Catholic Church, Abuja, 14 – 17 November 2016. Content: Boko Haram spirits – Healing ministry in the Catholic Church – Healing linked to deliverance – Diagnosis, prophecy and exorcism – The need for a person-centred and inclusive approach in a pluralistic world -A shift in focus that our approach requires – The discernments of truth in the inner world – A boy in a mountain – Inner experiences and outer tensions – “Being attacked by the spirit of my great-grandmother” – “Dreaming of my late mother” – “Haunted by dreams of having sex with my late husband” – Our approach in a nutshell – Healing as a drama – Conclusion. Appendix: some areas of concern in the charismatic healing ministry that I encountered in some Zambian groups

Other links: Church in Nigeria discusses Pentecostalism phenomenon. Catholics, Pentecostals meet in Abuja over religious harmony

The leadership of Nigerian Catholic Church and the Pentecostals yesterday (November 15, 2016) in Abuja began an international conference on Pentecostalism, religious harmony among Christians and relationship with Muslims.

The event four-day event jointly organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the German Bishops Conference, is being attended by experts and academicians from different parts of the world to discuss the theme: “The Catholic Church and Pentecostalism: Challenges in the Nigerian Context”.

The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the conference sponsored by Missio Aachen of Germany is a follow-up to an earlier international programme on a related matter, held in Rome in 2013. He said it became clear at the Rome event that Nigeria was the focal point of Pentecostal development in Africa due to the activities of Pentecostal Christians, hence the need to fashion out ways of harmonious relationship among Christians and other religions.

A member of the Research Group on International Church Affairs, German Episcopal Conference Andreas Hesenchever said the Pentecostals have been accused of arrogance and overconfidence that made them get into conflicts with Muslims and other Christians, thus the need for dialogue for peaceful co-existence.

The Archbishop of Jos and President of the CBCN Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, said perpetual conflicts among Christians will impact negatively on Nigeria let alone Christian-Muslim conflicts and that “The artificial barrier erected for decades should be done away with. We have to relate and live well together in the interest of our country.

A leader of the German Bishop Conference Munster, Germany Bishop Stefan Zekorn, said the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement has proved to be an important challenge for the Catholic Church not only in Nigeria but many other countries worldwide for decades.

“The German Bishop Conference conducted a research and that experts have suggested positive encouragement and personal empowerment within Pentecostal communities that help people tackle the amenities of everyday life. Strong moral rule within the Pentecostal communities might help stabilize family and community values and bring people forward in their businesses and career,” Zekorn said.

Towards the 150th anniversary of our foundation – Letter 4 – December 01, 2016

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 2, 2016

In Missionaries of Africa, Missionaries Sisters of Our Lady of Africa

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are all preparing for the 8^th December, our family feast. On this day, we can look back on our first year of preparation for the 150^th Anniversary of our foundation which started on 30^th of April 2016. Let us thank God for the reflections and prayers we were able to hold together. The rereading of parts of our common history has led us to gratitude for our common charism and to reconciliation among ourselves. Wherever this happened, our ties have been strengthened. This movement leads us naturally to the theme chosen for the second year that will begin on 9^th December 2016: “To live our common charism together today with passion”.

We understand this as our willingness to be prophetic in our way of living and in our way of acting.

This year, both our Institutes have taken a long loving look at the present and discerned what God could be asking of us today. How can we actualize our charism? During the General Chapter, for the Missionaries of Africa, and during the Enlarged Council, for the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa, both Institutes discerned the apostolic choices to which we feel called today.

The areas identified were: “dialogue and encounter”, “care of the environment”, “modern slavery and human trafficking”, “migrants”.

Together we want to become even more conscious of what is happening, where we are in relation to the above, what are the calls that we perceive. As members of the same Lavigerie family, we want to collaborate so as to seek solutions and ways of acting together. We want to make prophetic gestures which do not always need to be very extraordinary, but which are meaningful and can be seen as such by others. We want to involve, where possible, the groups of collaborators, friends, and associates. It is for us an opportunity to fortify our missionary spirit together.

We know that in many countries, our communities come together to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, you could program when to meet throughout 2017 in order to discern the calls you feel in your context and to think of prophetic gestures that can be carried out together.

The coordinating committee will help us celebrate this coming year.

We are sure that in this way, Cardinal Lavigerie and Mother Marie-Salomé will recognise their sons and daughters. Happy feast day on the 8^th December, and may Christmas be for us a call to live with passion our charism today!

Your sister and brother in the Lord and in Lavigerie.

Sr. Carmen Sammut, MSOLA Fr. Stanley Lubungo, M.Afr

Superior General Superior General

Link:

https://mafrsaprovince.com/2015/11/25/towards-the-150th-anniversary-of-our-foundation/

Farewell to Pierre Lafollie, M.Afr – Lusaka, November 25, 2016.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 30, 2016

In News

The M.Afr gathered on Friday evening November 25 to pay tribute to a great missionary who spent 50 years in Zambia, primarily in Bemba land in the North-East part of Zambia. He lived in Mbala, Ilondola, Kayambi, Lwitikila, Serenje, Mulanga, Chalabesa, Isoka, Mulilonsolo, Mpika/Lwitikila, Lua-Luo, Kasama and Lusaka.

We are very grateful for the dedication, self-giving and holy priest he has been for us all throughout so many years. Pierre Lafollie was and still is very knowledgeable in the Chibemba language and rituals. See below few pictures starting from his time of studies in Carthage in early 60s. Some will remember Paul Gallen (+2013), Pierre Lafollie, Denis Bernardin (+2011) and Antoon Coninx (+2016) on a picture taken in 1982.

Dear Pierre, we are already missing you. With love from Zambia.

Newsletter South Africa No 69 – 29th November 2016

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2016

In Publications

Greetings! I hope you are well and that you have fully entered into the beautiful time of Advent! Yes, this is an occasion for each Christian to prepare to receive the Lord in a missionary way. Which means to involve others in this great hope and expectation of Jesus who is coming at Christmas. On the first Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis reminded us that “The Gospel is not trying to frighten us, but to open our horizons to further dimensions, giving meaning even to everyday events.” This is an invitation to open our hearts and minds to others, thus to live as missionaries wherever we are. The Pope adds: “we are called to enlarge the horizons of our hearts, to be surprised by the life that is presented each day with its newness. In order to do this we need to learn to not depend on our own securities, our own established plans, because the Lord comes at the hour which we don’t expect.” He concludes by saying that this time is “an invitation to vigilance, because, not knowing when He will come, we must always be ready…” On 14^th November, I went to Malawi. The first night, I stayed at Mua Parish where I started as a young missionary in 1970; a long time ago! As part of the Parish life, Fr. Claude Boucher, M.Afr, from my home diocese in Canada has established an art school and a museum to help keep the Malawian culture. I suggest you visit their website at kungoni.org. You can see the museum and different aspects of his work with his team of artists. Then, from 15^th to 21^st, I was in Salima, on the shore of Lake Malawi. There, I did my yearly retreat in the house of retired bishop Rémi Sainte-Marie, bishop emeritus of Dedza Diocese and archbishop emeritus of Lilongwe arch-diocese. He welcomed me warmly and respected my times of prayer and silence. It was a good spiritual experience.

From the 22^nd to the 26^th in Chipata Pre-Formation Centre (Zambia), we held our meeting of Vocation Directors of the Southern African Province. We were from the four Sectors of Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and South Africa.

This new Centre in Chipata currently has its second intake of 18 aspirants from Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia (nobody from South Africa!). From October to May, they are spending time discerning their vocation, exploring their self-knowledge with psychological assessments, in order to understand better their deepest aspirations and desires in the light of God’s call. They also study the Bible, Church history, liturgy, the missionary dimension of our lives as Christians, and how to reach out to people, especially the poor, and how to share with them the Good News. They also have activities such as manual work, sports, etc. After this intense period, if they are still decided and if they are accepted, they will be called to go to the First Phase of their formal training: three years of philosophy in Balaka, Malawi.

This month, our aspirant Patrick Kadima wrote an article for our Provincial blog. To read it, go to our blog at mafrsaprovince.com.

Wishing you all the best for a blessed Christmas! Fr. Michel Meunier, M.Afr

Lavigerie memorial day celebration in Malawi on the 26th November.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2016

In News

By Landry Busagara, Stagiaire.

Under the theme of “flourishing communities”, the M.Afr and MSOLA gathered at Chezi, about 50 km from Lilongwe, to celebrate the memorial of Cardinal Lavigerie, our Founder.

First, a recollection centred on the philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, helped each one to recognise that our interdependence and interconnectedness as women and men missionaries is essential to our mutual survival.

Then, with the leadership of Jos Kuppens, we had a time of sharing on flourishing communities. We recalled the high-point life involvements we had in the past as missionaries; our best moments in partnership. We found that those exciting situations were so nice that we would like to live them forever. We saw that flourishing MSOLA and M.Afr communities are “positive, alive and life giving. They are inclusive, integrative and collaborative. They create space for everyone to connect with self, with others and the whole creation, with God. They respect and affirm the freedom of everybody to live in dignity, security, peace, harmony and solidarity.”

As M.Afr and MSOLA, we value a sense of common belonging when caring for each other. We mutually gain by being non-judgemental, positive and open minded. A welcoming spirit bring more unity, mutual acceptance and create occasions for sharing.

Flourishing communities of consecrated women and men as we are is best demonstrate around the table of the Lord through the Eucharistic celebration which actually ended the recollection. It was a moment of gladness for all the wonders of the Lord.

We ended our day by sharing some drinks and food, happy to sit side by side and being all children of Lavigerie.

Priestly Ordination of Father Robbin Simbeye, M.Afr, at St Monica parish in Kabwe, Zambia.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 29, 2016

In Priestly ordination

By Camille Konkobo, M.Afr

On the 19^th November, the Diocese of Kabwe celebrated the closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the priestly ordination of Father Robbin Simbeye, M.Afr. The celebration was colourful and joyful in a crowded church. Sixty priests, among them seventeen Missionaries of Africa, were present.

This ordination was quite appropriate for the closing of the Year of Mercy as Bishop Clement Mulenga, SDB, emphasised on the attitude of all priests to be merciful. He encouraged them to collaborate and seek advice unceasingly.

The Provincial, Felix Phiri, M.Afr, thanked the Bishop and his clergy for this timely feast within the diocesan calendar. He also thanked the parishioners of St. Monica and sent Robbin officially to his mission in Tunisia. He then invited all the M.Afr present to come around him for a solemn blessing by singing the Sancta Maria.

The first Mass took place at the same parish the following day. The church was vibrating from the beginning till the end. The family members of our newly ordained priest were full of joy and we could see it on their faces. It was a bright and appropriate time for missionary awareness. At the end of Mass, the Vocation Director, Camille Konkobo, made an appeal for more vocations.

Robbin Simbeye studied philosophy in Arusha, Tanzania, made his spiritual year at Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, his apostolic training of two years in Rwanda and his theology at our Formation House in Merrivale, South Africa.

Let us unite our voices and prayers for his mission and for the parents of Father Simbeye.

Blessings of a new library at Lechaptois Formation House, Balaka, Malawi.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 28, 2016

In News

By Robert Tebri, Rector.

A new library has been built in Balaka Formation Centre to cater for an annual average of 35 candidates. The former library became too small after receiving the entire philosophy section of the then Arusha First Phase Centre in Tanzania which has been transformed into a spiritual year.

The project took a bit more than eight months to be completed. Both staff and candidates are expressing their gratitude for the beautiful house of knowledge that will serve for many generations to come.

The people of Kapalamula and Kanyama villages that welcomed the Missionaries of Africa Formation House of philosophy have been experiencing water problems for some time now. A couple of years ago, the problem was so acute that the formation house started sharing their water with them. But this was not going to continue forever with the risk of running out of water for the house. Through the confreres in Canada, some funds were found to make two boreholes for the two villages of about 50 families.

By Kelvin Mutalala, student.

The 12^th November, 2016, was the blessing and official opening of the new library at Lechaptois Formation House. The day was coloured by a joyful celebration from the people of Kapalamula Village who got two boreholes. Furthermore, it was the birthday of Father Sylvain Yameogo.

The entire ceremony was spearheaded by Father Kamanga, Bishop Secretary of Mangochi Diocese. He blessed the boreholes and handed them over to the Kapalamula community. In their prayers, the people thanked the Lord for the gift of water and also prayed for those who are still in dying need of clean and safe water. Chief Kapalamula gave a vote of thanks to the Missionaries of Africa for helping them.

Everyone proceeded to Lechaptois Formation House for the blessing of the new library. After few songs and the opening prayer, Father Robert Tebri thanked the Lord for such a beautiful building. He welcomed all the priests, different Religious Congregations and all other guests. Among them were Father Felix Phiri, Provincial, Father Michel Sanou, renewed Provincial Delegate of Malawi, Father John Itaru, Provincial Treasurer and Father Paul Namono, Delegate Treasurer for Malawi. Then, Father Kamanga cut the ribbon, opened the door, entered into the library and blessed the books and the rooms.

A Thanksgiving Mass ended the day which saw the Kapalamula community acquiring two boreholes, the students having a new library and Father Sylvain Yameogo celebrating his birthday. In his homily, Father Kamanga stressed on the importance of perseverance and sacrifice for the fulfilment of the common good. Finally, Father Piet van Hulten closed this memorable day with a word of thanks.

Cross-cultural course experience in Tamale, Nyankpala, Ghana.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 27, 2016

In News

By Patrick Kalonji Kadima (M.Afr, Stagiaire)

I spent one month, from September 4 till 30, at the Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies (TICCS) for a cultural introduction course which was based on introducing its participants to the diversity of ethnic groups and languages in Ghana. It included the “do’s and don’ts”, Chiefs and politics, ethno-linguistic groups, cross-cultural spirituality and cross-cultural differences, conflict resolution and Islam in Ghana today. Adding to it were: dynamics of African Traditional Religion (ATR), kinship systems and gender roles and social change in Ghana, Christianity in Northern Ghana, as well as witchcraft mentality, friendship, cross-cultural communication and language learning.

The above mentioned topics aimed at providing the basic capacity and understanding to the participants for ministering or do pastoral work in various cultures in Ghana. This one-month course was not only pleasant and attractive but also it uplifting my awareness, activated my presence and full participation when I was feed more and more on the dynamic aspect of cross-cultural values.

Moreover, through one’s presence in such an adventure, one benefits already. All these topics are interrelated in such a way that they become instruments or tools to develop our various goals in our future mission in view of facilitating our relationship with the local people and enhance their lives.

Through the lenses of cross-culture, one observes that there is an enrichment relationship. This is to say, even the one ministering or doing pastoral work finds and discovers that he or she is improving her or his own life, hence he or she finds fulfilment.

The course at TICCS also provided us with the skills, drills and techniques to learn a new language. As one of my fellow compatriots, Benezet Bujo once said; “Language is one of the capital elements that cannot be neglected.” Consequently, I will not neglect learning Dagbani without which my pastoral experience will be limited. I am open and ready to experiment a vision of life which is different from my own culture.

In few days to come, I will be going for my language course in one of the villages. As I am preparing myself and feel equipped enough with my experience at TICCS, Dagbani will be my first African language that I will sit down and concentrate on learning. I wish to speak it like a native speaker. I know that it is not a Bantu language, but I am willing to put much effort into it. May the almighty God, who blew on the Apostles the Holy Spirit to speak in various languages, blow in me as He did with them.

I thank God for all the wonders He keeps on performing in my life. Countless thanks to the Province of Ghana-Nigeria and to the Sector of Ghana for making it possible that I undergo such a course. Many thanks are due to Fr. Clement, the stagiaires’ Coordinator. I cannot forget the Director of TICCS, Fr. Joshua SVD, the staff members of TICCs, and my course mates. Lastly, my thanks would be incomplete if I fail to thank the members of my community at St Monica Parish. Yes, we can!!!

Lavigerie’s Day in Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 27, 2016

In News

The Sector of Mozambique decided to celebrate the Lavigerie’s Day on the 25^th November 2016 even though the yearly commemoration is on the 26^th. We all met, confreres and stagiaires, at the Sector House in Beira.

We had a talk about the Post-Capitular Acts in the morning. It was an interesting sharing about our vision as a Society for the coming years. In the afternoon, Padre Hugh Seenan gave a short history of our presence in Mozambique from May 1946 up to now, meaning 70 years this year. Pierre Lukusa presided Mass for the Cardinal in the evening. We were joined by two SVDs, one of whom, Fr Philly, was celebrating his birthday, and two FMMs.

The day finished with a lovely meal organised by Bosco Nigibira. It was a perfect finish to a lovely day.