Author: Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP) Page 22 of 113
I’m Evans K. Chama, Zambian, and member of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. I’m currently based in Brussels, Belgium. Before that I worked as missionary in Democratic Republic of Congo, precisely in Kinshasa and Goma.
I enjoy writing! So far I have written two books: We fought wrong fight and A woman like mum. I have also contributed a number of articles to The Southern Cross, a Catholic weekly in South Africa.
I believe in humanity. Every person, given the right conditions, is capable of giving birth to the best of one’s humanity. That is why I consider the fight for social justice as a struggle to create conditions that liberate and allow the human spirit to excel to its heights.
I identify myself with the words of Terence: “I am a human being, and thus nothing human is alien to me.” It is, indeed, human to let oneself be touched by what is happening to another person. That is why promoting our single humanity is something that naturally belongs to a human person.
I also believe that every tradition, religious or cultural, has a mine of resources to enable a human person to bring out the best of his humanity. That is the single world project that should keep us all busy. And that is exactly my intention in starting this blog: http://singlehumanity.com/. I lay my brick, and I wait for yours, so that together we can build our common humanity.
Yes, this is our space where we can act together in favour of our common humanity. If you have a story, a reflection, a proverb, a testimony or a picture that can encourage others to rise and act in favour of our single humanity, this is the place.
Note: the book A woman like mum is available for sale at the Provincial House in Woodlands, Lusaka.
The annual meeting of the JPIC-ED coordinators of SAP, was held at Nazare Centre in Beira, Mozambique from the 22nd to 23rd June 2016. Due to some travelling complications that one or the other encountered on the way, we had to start the meeting a day later. There were the 4 of us: Christophe Boyer (South Africa), Philip Meraba (Malawi), Romaric Bationo (Zambia) and Fidel Salazar (Mozambique).
Because of the many reshuffles that happened in the province last year, this meeting could not take place as per planning. So it was imperative that we come together, get to know each other and do some planning this year. The objective of the meeting was threefold: 1) to make known to each other what is happening in our respective sectors, 2) to review the resolutions that were made in previous meetings and 3) as a result, to design some follow-up and planning.
From our sharing, it was evident that in our province we are involved in various JPIC-ED undertakings although our commitment in ED seems weak. Despite this variety of involvement there is little sharing and discussion about them. We seem not to know how to tell our stories. It was also noticed that in every sector the JPIC-ED team is trying to establish itself and get to animate the sector.
Considering the present various endeavours and situations, and the plans that were decided by the previous meetings, we resolved to prioritise or revive our commitment to fight the new forms of slavery, our care for creation in line with “Laudato si”, our effort to promote reconciliation and empower the impoverished. We should do all this in the spirit of Encounter and Dialogue. In addition, we believe that the increasing presence of Islam in Southern Africa that is causing apprehension, fear with prejudices among some Christians, calls us to take a lead in the encounter and dialogue with Muslims. The provincial Coordinator and the sectors JPIC-ED teams will make every effort to animate and stimulate our M.Afr communities in these areas.
After the meeting, we had a guided tour of Nazare Centre and the city of Beira. Everything considered, it was a good meeting; not only did it give a kick-start to our SAP JPIC-ED team that had stalled for some time, but it helped us to pick things up where our predecessors left them, and draw a roadmap that will guide us . It is our hope that with the collaboration of every confrere and community we will be able to implement the resolutions taken.
Many thanks to the staff of Nazare Centre for hosting us and making our stay enjoyable.
Romaric Bationo, M.Afr, SAP JPIC-ED Coordinator
By Tomas Seunda Jallet
On the 3rd and 4th June, the Islamist group Boko Haram stormed Bosso, a town in the eastern part of the Republic of Niger. At least 30 soldiers from the army were killed and several military equipment set ablaze. Armaments and food meant for the Nigerien soldiers were stolen. According to the United Nations, at least 50,000 people have been displaced. The government declared no civilian casualty.
Bosso is found in the Diffa region where Boko Haram has already perpetrated attacks resulting in human lost. The tiny Christian community is visited by our confreres who live in Zinder situated at 468 km away. Bosso is also at 870 km from Birni N’Konni and almost 1,200 km from the capital Niamey where I am doing my apostolic experience (stage).
Sadly enough, while the government denies the existence of civilian victimisation, we lost one of our brothers called Rémi Lawson, a converted Christian from Islam. Since his conversion, Rémi was known for his boldness in bearing witness to his faith. After dispersing the army, Boko Haram stormed the area where Rémi was. They shot him on the left shoulder. Then, Rémi knelt down and made the sign of the cross in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Seeing it, an extremist militia man cried out “infidel” and killed him on the spot.
Already on the 16th and 17th January 2015, our churches and convents were set ablaze by ordinary Muslims. Why is it that our places of worship were maliciously burnt down? Our faith is being threatened. The example of Rémi is a proof that the public profession of our faith is not genuinely accepted. Niger is a secular state, yet this is only true on paper.
On the same day of his assassination, Rémi’s spouse gave peacefully birth to a child at the maternity ward. It was the wishes of Rémi to be so. But Rémi’s death is a drama to the family and a serious blow to our small Church in Niger. As my brother Lefterius Mwamba pointed out on the 2015 attacks, “we are persecuted but not forgotten”. A prayer vigil was organised so as to call the Lord’s strength upon us. We are still on a journey in making a Niger where all religious affiliations will be recognised. We call upon God’s name through his Son and our mother Mary so that we may all accept and move forward in mutual respect into our common humanity.
“In the world you will have hardships, but be courageous: I have conquered the world” said Jesus (Jn, 16: 33). The zeal and hope to continue our mission in Niger can only be found in the peace promised by our Lord Jesus Christ who is also calling us to “go and make disciples of all nations (…..) And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt 28:19a, 20b). We profess our faith through our commitment to building a peaceful Niger for all.
Dear confreres, families and friends of the Missionaries of Africa, let us keep Rémi’s family in our prayers. We continue praying for the mission in Niger so that the harder the mission may become the bolder and zealous we may be in proclaiming God’s Kingdom.
The Society of the Missionaries of Africa and the Family of Mr. Barnabas Ogato and Mrs. Prisca Moraa is pleased to invite you to the Priestly ordination of their son Rev. Deacon Douglas Momanyi Ogato on the 29th July 2016 at Kisii town parish by his Lordship Joseph Mairura Okemwa, Bishop of Kisii Diocese.
Fr. John Aserbire, Assistant Provincial, EAP (On behalf of the Provincial Secretary EAP)
This Newsletter comes to you earlier than usual, because in the next ten days I will be on a long trip with some friends in a part of Canada that I have never visited: we will be touring the Magdalen Islands, in the far eastern part of the country, between the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Look on the map!
As you can see, this Newsletter is also quite short. I am out of the South African context and also I am kept quite busy with my relatives and friends, without mentioning many M.Afr confreres whom I am meeting here after many years; we have so many stories to tell one another and a lot of news to catch up on. The most important piece of news this last month has been the election of our new General Council in Rome. Last month, I already told you about the new Superior General, Fr. Stanley Lubungo. This time, I simply send you an attachment introducing all five members of the new General Team. You surely will notice that they are men of great experience, having lived in different countries and worked in various fields. This is what we expect of Missionaries of Africa. Hopefully, reading about the background of each one will inspire you.
I just want to add one remark about Pope Francis’ approach to people during this JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY. I am so struck by his very down-to-earth way of interacting with people, just like Jesus who went about, meeting people where they were. Pope Francis visits people, especially the poor and unsophisticated. And he invites them to come celebrate the Year of Mercy at the Vatican, whoever they are, whatever work they do, the sick and healthy alike. Recently, he met with people working in circuses and encouraged them to continue bringing joy through their entertainment. He often focuses on joy (see his beautiful exhortation The Joy of the Gospel); a Christian is someone who lives in the joy of the Risen Lord.
In the midst of our unsettled and struggling society, may we give more joy and hope to the people we meet! This is surely a very good way to be a missionary!
God bless you all! Fr. Michel Meunier, M.Afr
New General Council 2016
His Holiness, Pope Francis has appointed today 18th June 2016, Rev. Fr. Valentine Kalumba, O.M.I, 49 as the Bishop of Livingstone. Fr. Kalumba, O.M.I was ordained priest for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) on 22nd October 2005 at Mary Immaculate Parish in Lusaka. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (Theological Institute, South Africa) and a Diploma in Accountancy (National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).
Fr. Kalumba, O.M.I has held many offices in his Religious Congregation as Formator (Pre-Novitiate, Lusaka), as Parish Priest (Limulunga, Kalabo), as Parochial Vicar (Kalabo, Shang’ombo in Livingstone) and as Director of Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu. Currently, Fr. Kalumba, OMI is the Parish Priest of Blessed Mary Theresa in the Diocese of Kabwe and he is also the Vicar of the Delegation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I) here in Zambia.
http://zeccatholic.blogspot.com/2016/06/fr-valentine-kalumba-omi-new-bishop-of.html
Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Valentine Kalumba as the Bishop of Livingstone. Fr. Kalumba, O.M.I was ordained priest for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on 22nd October 2005 at Mary Immaculate Parish in Lusaka. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and a Diploma in Accountancy.
Fr. Kalumba has held many offices in the Oblates Religious Congregation as Formator (Pre-Noviatie, Lusaka), as Parish Priest (Limulunga, Kalabo), as Parochial Vicar (Kalabo, Shang’ombo in Livingstone) and as Director of Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu.
Currently, Fr. Kalumba is the Parish Priest of Blessed Mary Theresa in the Diocese of Kabwe and he is also the Vicar of the Delegation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I) in Zambia. “And On behalf of the Zambia Episcopal Conference, the Secretary General and all the Catholic faithful I wish the Catholic Clergy, the Religious and the faithful of Livingstone Diocese the best of luck as they receive their new Shepherd Fr. Valentine Kalumba,” says Catholic Media Services Executive Director- Fr. Winfield Kunda in a statement.
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/06/19/fr-valentine-kalumba-new-bishop-livingstone/
Special Bulletin OMI – PDF File
The Oasis Forum says it is extremely disturbed, appalled and greatly saddened by the increasing incidents of politically motivated violence in the run-up to the August 11 General
Oasis Forum Chairman Fr Cleophas Lungu
Elections. The Forum says this is despite the commitments political parties pronounced at the Indaba on political violence held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on 29th March 2016.
It said it is disheartening that the resolutions of that Indaba have been thrown to the wind and our political leaders are once more letting the country down.
The Oasis Forum includes the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).
Forum Chairman Fr Cleophas Lungu said the wise counsel of the Church and other stakeholders in the governance of the country has not been heeded by the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order. Fr Lungu observed that political violence has been on the rise at a very alarming rate.
“The Oasis Forum observes that the incidences of political violence are symptomatic of a serious breakdown of law and order in the country and are a threat not only to the holding of free, fair and credible elections, as expected in August 2016, but also to our very existence as a sovereign state which has enjoyed relative peace on the African Continent for over fifty years. Something drastic needs to be done sooner than later,” Fr Lungu said.
He said the Oasis Forum also wishes to register its deep concern over the conduct of the Zambia Police Service who continue to fail to discharge their statutory functions and to act impartially in maintaining law and order.
“In the past, the Oasis Forum made repeated calls to the Zambia Police and other state law enforcement agencies to act decisively and bring all perpetrators of violence to justice as a way of preserving peace in the country. However, we are deeply shocked by the apparent impotence of the police when the unruly cadres from the ruling party take the law into their hands and commit abominable acts in their face.”
He added. “And yet, the same police will apply excessive force when confronting members of the opposition. On the other hand, the behaviour of some cadres from the opposition leaves much to be desired. Indeed, no legal excuse can be given for citizens taking the law into their own hands, even on account of failure by the police to objectively and professionally administer the Public Order Act (POA).”
Fr Lungu has since appealed for calm and maximum restraint from especially the members of the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
“It is incumbent on all of us not to do or say anything that might worsen an already volatile situation. The Oasis Forum also calls on the youth to desist from being used by political actors to intimidate other political players who have the same right to belong to a party of their choice and hold divergent political opinions.”
http://zeccatholic.blogspot.com/2016/06/oasis-forum-calls-for-end-to-political.html
Hi dear friends of OUR MISSION!
The annual General Assembly of all the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio) took place in Rome from 30 May to 4 June 2016 and was well attended by the majority of the 116 National Directors, (representing many more countries as some of the directors represent more than one country) unfortunately some few directors were unable to attend because of visa issues.
The Assembly grants a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, challenges and the realities of the specific countries in which we work. It is so special to meet those who represent Catholic life and mission in countries which normally receive less exposure like: East Timor, Taiwan, Indonesia, Iran, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, amongst others. It opens one’s mind to the amazing universality of the Church and its particular mission activity in places where Catholics and other Christian churches are often tiny minorities.
We are thankful to the Lord that this year once again, through the generosity and sacrifices of the faithful throughout the world we were able to distribute in a just manner help for thousands of projects originating in over 1150 dioceses mostly in Asia and Africa. The challenge that we are facing over the past few years is the reality of a constant decrease in funds from donations and an ever increasing need by young Churches for help to properly train local priests, Religious and Lay leaders to evangelise the people as well as to provide much needed help in the precarious situations of the local people in these regions.
Our biggest challenge is to promote the Universal Missionary activity of the Church in such a way that all the faithful feel involved, enthusiastic and committed and realise the urgency of the evangelisation process throughout the whole world and the need for their active participation and collaboration.
All, without exception, are called to be involved in this missionary activity whether they are from so-called donor countries or from young churches. The Catholic Church in Africa and Asia are going to have to become ever more protagonists in the missionary activity of the Church as increasingly European and other so-called developed countries become more and more secularised and their people declare themselves as belonging to no faith.
The Church in Africa urgently needs to become ever more self-supporting and self-reliant—we need local clergy and Religious. We also need to become truly missionary by sending Priests and Religious as missionaries and by supporting financially the new mission territories of the world. The time is ripe for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa to take up the challenge and live her Missionary responsibility!
Fr. Gordon Rees mccj, National (Missio SACBC) PMS Director – South Africa, Botswana & Swaziland.