Author: Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP) Page 75 of 113
Dear confreres,
Father Roland Jeanrenaud died on 24th January 2014 at 5.40 p.m. at the home cared for by the Sisters of Saint-Paul in Fribourg at the age of 86.
He has been missionary in Zambia and in Switzerland.
Let us pray for him and for his relatives.
Fraternally yours
Bro. Clemens Nadler sec.
Nat.: Suisse
Diocèse d’origine : Fribourg
NAISSANCE : Genève 24/08/1927
Année Spirituelle: Maison-Carrée 29/09/1948
Serment: Thibar 26/06/1951
Prêtrise: Carthage 12/04/1952
Quelques livres qu’il a écrits
L’Evangile dans le désordre 156 pages – prix: € :10 – 2000
Paraboles à contre-jour 160 pages 18 € 2003
Visages et Regards 2003: 140 pages 20€
« Allo ! Jésus ? Pourquoi tu réponds pas ? » 2004 120 pages, prix € 19.00,
Jalons de la vie missionnaire du Père Roland Jeanrenaud
01/09/1952 St Maurice, Suisse
01/06/1953 Fort Rosebery N. Rhodesia (Zambia)
08/02/1954 Twingi
22/09/1956 Lubwe
27/02/1958 Chibote
10/06/1961 Fort Rosebery
01/01/1965 Ec.Dioc.Adjoint Fort Rosebery, Zambia
10/09/1968 Econome Diocésain Mansa
01/01/1974 Vic.Gén.+Ec.Dioc. Mansa
01/01/1985 Cath.Secretariate Lusaka
10/06/1987 Session-Retraite Jérusalem
01/12/1987 Judicial Vicar Chilubula, D.Kasama, Zambia
15/06/1995 Nommé en Sse PE.95/7 Suisse
10/09/1995 Econome Provincial Fribourg, Suisse
01/04/1997 Secrétaire Provinc. Fribourg
15/09/1999 Session +70 Roma
12/04/2000 Rédact.Suisse-Afriqu Fribourg, Suisse
30/05/2000 Elu Conseiller Provincial
01/09/2013 Résidence H.C.: Fribourg, Suisse
24-01-2014 Retour au Seigneur à Fribourg, Suisse
Nat.: Suisse
Diocèse d’origine : Fribourg
NAISSANCE : Genève 24/08/1927
Année Spirituelle: Maison-Carrée 29/09/1948
Serment: Thibar 26/06/1951
Prêtrise: Carthage 12/04/1952
Quelques livres qu’il a écrits
L’Evangile dans le désordre 156 pages – prix: € :10 – 2000
Paraboles à contre-jour 160 pages 18 € 2003
Visages et Regards 2003: 140 pages 20€
« Allo ! Jésus ? Pourquoi tu réponds pas ? » 2004 120 pages, prix € 19.00,
Jalons de la vie missionnaire du Père Roland Jeanrenaud
01/09/1952 St Maurice, Suisse
01/06/1953 Fort Rosebery N. Rhodesia (Zambia)
08/02/1954 Twingi
22/09/1956 Lubwe
27/02/1958 Chibote
10/06/1961 Fort Rosebery
01/01/1965 Ec.Dioc.Adjoint Fort Rosebery, Zambia
10/09/1968 Econome Diocésain Mansa
01/01/1974 Vic.Gén.+Ec.Dioc. Mansa
01/01/1985 Cath.Secretariate Lusaka
10/06/1987 Session-Retraite Jérusalem
01/12/1987 Judicial Vicar Chilubula, D.Kasama, Zambia
15/06/1995 Nommé en Sse PE.95/7 Suisse
10/09/1995 Econome Provincial Fribourg, Suisse
01/04/1997 Secrétaire Provinc. Fribourg
15/09/1999 Session +70 Roma
12/04/2000 Rédact.Suisse-Afriqu Fribourg, Suisse
30/05/2000 Elu Conseiller Provincial
01/09/2013 Résidence H.C.: Fribourg, Suisse
24-01-2014 Retour au Seigneur à Fribourg, Suisse
2013 Showed a Mixed Picture in Economic Performance
The year 2013 had its ups and downs in terms of the cost of living as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection’s (JCTR’s) Basic Needs Basket. A continued concern for the JCTR in 2013 is the persistently high cost of living. In 2013, the high cost of living stemmed mainly from high food prices. As a faith based organisation, to see the poor access their basic needs and rights, such as the right to food, is cardinal to improving living conditions and hence reducing poverty in Zambia. FULL TEXT
On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council and Fr. Crispin Vungwa, I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for the great support shown to us on the occasion of the untimely demise of Father Sebastien Ndrutsomi.
Thank you for the gift of your love, sacrifice, time and your commitment to show solidarity and comfort to us. Happiness is not found at the end of the journey but it is found as we plough along day after day with what God puts on our path. The Parish was very united during these trying times and it is with renewed vigour that we will continue with the building of the Kingdom of God in our Lebombo community.
May our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother hold you their loving embrace and bless you abundantly.
You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Fr. JPM Le Scour, M.Afr
Priest-In-Charge
By Evan Chama, Goma, M.Afr
Madam Marie Olive Lembe, wife of the President of the Republic of Democratic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, laid the first stone for the construction of the new Cathedral for the diocese of Goma, East of Congo.
This took place on Sunday, 19th January 2014, after the mass presided by the Bishop of Goma, Theophile Kaboy, at the site of the construction.
Construction of the Cathedral, a still-born project for years, has received new impetus thanks to the First Lady who has taken a leading role in raising funds. Last year, 11th September, Madam Olive made a pilgrimage to Rome where she met Pope Francis and commended Congo to his prayers for peace in the country. In the letter she addressed to the Pope Madam Olive also promised to commit herself, together with Catholics of Goma, to construct a new Cathedral.
Since then, she has been tirelessly knocking on the doors of various business houses in Congo, members of her family, friends and politicians for donations. At the ceremony, she was able to present to the bishop what she had so far collected, an undisclosed sum that amounts to the 45% of the total budget.
The First Lady challenged the faithful not to fold arms in the illusion that she alone will source the funds. She will certainly continue to do her part, but every Christian was supposed to work hard and put in whatever little they have. That is why she described the boldness to begin this project in the midst of limited funds as “an act of faith” that however will be realized with the help of God himself and with the determination of everyone.
The need for new Cathedral rose when the old one was burnt down by the volcano that erupted on 17th January in 2002. The cathedral will be constructed at a site some 10 km in the outskirts of Goma, in an area called Keshero, following the expansion pattern of the town of Goma.
The old Cathedral whose walls remained intact is also under renovation, thanks to one well-wisher who was concerned about the desecration of this holy place that remained abandoned and transformed into a training ground for karate and judo. Marketeers also used the area for drying foodstuffs for sale. Once the renovation is completed, the bishop announced, this old Cathedral will be a lieu for perpetual adoration.
Appreciating that Madam Olive Lembe is staunch and prayerful Catholic, the bishop gave her a gift of a breviary –a book for daily prayer used mainly by priests and religious.
The new Cathedral will be called “Our Lady of Peace” (Maria, Mama wa Amani). The First Lady is also called Mary, the bishop made the allusion.
Madam Marie Olive Lembe, wife of the President of the Republic of Democratic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, laid the first stone for the construction of the new Cathedral for the diocese of Goma, East of Congo.
This took place on Sunday, 19th January 2014, after the mass presided by the Bishop of Goma, Theophile Kaboy, at the site of the construction.
Construction of the Cathedral, a still-born project for years, has received new impetus thanks to the First Lady who has taken a leading role in raising funds. Last year, 11th September, Madam Olive made a pilgrimage to Rome where she met Pope Francis and commended Congo to his prayers for peace in the country. In the letter she addressed to the Pope Madam Olive also promised to commit herself, together with Catholics of Goma, to construct a new Cathedral.
Since then, she has been tirelessly knocking on the doors of various business houses in Congo, members of her family, friends and politicians for donations. At the ceremony, she was able to present to the bishop what she had so far collected, an undisclosed sum that amounts to the 45% of the total budget.
The First Lady challenged the faithful not to fold arms in the illusion that she alone will source the funds. She will certainly continue to do her part, but every Christian was supposed to work hard and put in whatever little they have. That is why she described the boldness to begin this project in the midst of limited funds as “an act of faith” that however will be realized with the help of God himself and with the determination of everyone.
The need for new Cathedral rose when the old one was burnt down by the volcano that erupted on 17th January in 2002. The cathedral will be constructed at a site some 10 km in the outskirts of Goma, in an area called Keshero, following the expansion pattern of the town of Goma.
The old Cathedral whose walls remained intact is also under renovation, thanks to one well-wisher who was concerned about the desecration of this holy place that remained abandoned and transformed into a training ground for karate and judo. Marketeers also used the area for drying foodstuffs for sale. Once the renovation is completed, the bishop announced, this old Cathedral will be a lieu for perpetual adoration.
Appreciating that Madam Olive Lembe is staunch and prayerful Catholic, the bishop gave her a gift of a breviary –a book for daily prayer used mainly by priests and religious.
The new Cathedral will be called “Our Lady of Peace” (Maria, Mama wa Amani). The First Lady is also called Mary, the bishop made the allusion.
-
- Bishop Theophile Kaboy & First Lady
-
- l to r, sister to First Lady, Mother, First Lady,Governor of Nord Kivu (Goma) & Governor of Sud Kivu -Bukavu
-
- Bishop Theophile Kaboy presents a gift, breviary, to First Lady
-
- Evans, during communion (1)
-
- Evans, during communion
-
- First Lady (r), Her mother (m) & her sister (l)
-
- First Lady lays the first stone
-
- First Lady presents to the bishop the donation so far collected, 45% of the budget.
-
- First Lady signs the act of laying the first stone
-
- First Lady, Marie Olive Lembe
-
- Governor of Nord Kivu -Goma
-
- Governor of Sud Kivu -Bukavu
Without Hope Where Would We Be
Looking back over the year we try to name it, sum it up in one title or sentence. One of our newspapers speaks of: ‘the year of clapping hands to mediocrity’ (E. Chitsulo, Nation 21 December 2013). It is only a few weeks ago that we buried Nelson Mandela. We did because almost the whole world was somehow assisting at his funeral, He showed the world what real leadership is like. His passage shows the opposite of mediocrity. He was a good human being, a great leader. In our Malawi we have difficulty to identify someone like him. We chose leaders who all have given a sense of hope, a sense of ‘now things shall change for the better’.
But we were deceived very soon. Kamuzu Banda led a group of capable young people who were intent on building a Malawi to be proud of. But soon Banda took over, did away with those companions of the first hour and became a dictator imposing his will in such a way that a book about human Rights in Malawi was given the title: ‘Where Silence Reigns’. In spite of this Malawians continued to clap hands and dance for him. For some thirty years.
Full Text
COMING TO THE TABLE – A Story of Racial Healing
Phoebe Kilby began her work in racial reconciliation in 2007, when she first contacted Betty Kilby Fisher (Baldwin) on Martin Luther King Day. Phoebe’s ancestors were enslavers in the United States prior to 1865; Betty is descended from the persons that Phoebe’s family once enslaved. Since that time Phoebe has become a leader in the Coming to the Table organization, which seeks to fulfil Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream “that the sons of former slave owners and sons of former slaves will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” Coming to the Table (CTTT) is profiled at: www.comingtothetable.org
Phoebe and Betty have told their story and lead workshops and dialogues on racial reconciliation across the United States. They continue to assist others interested in improving race relations in their communities.
Kasisi Retreat, January 2014
How have I experience God’s love in my missionary life? How do I express it in my ministry, in my community? Those are a sample of questions proposed by Venerato Babaine, the preacher of the retreat, inviting the confreres to reflect and pray on their unending transformation of life in their journey across borders. Aware of our weakness and limitations, the missionary acts with charity and prudence searching for dialogue in partnership. Can we see the good in others in order to achieve meaningful sharing? Inevitably, the journey of life ends in time.
The final journey leads us back home. On the afternoon of the 19th January, all the participants went to pray at the tomb of Father Jean-Loup Calmettes to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his tragic death in a car accident on the Great North Road. Jean-Luc Gouiller read a tribute to Jean-Loup surrounded by the confreres who sang the “Sancta Maria”. See the pictures below.
Once more, we are grateful to the Retreat Centre of Kasisi, the personnel and the Sisters who welcome us in their beautiful surrounding.
20 years after the death of Fr. Jean-Loup Calmettes, M.Afr
(At the occasion of a visit at the tomb of Fr. Calmettes on the 18th January 2014 in Kasisi Mission, Zambia.)
By Jean-Luc Gouiller, M.Afr (Former Regional of Zambia at the time of the accident of Fr. Jean-Loup Calmettes)
Jean-Loup was born in December 1938 in Nancy. He first entered the Major Seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris (cf. Lavigerie). Then he joined the M.Afr at the beginning of the 19sixties. He took the Oath in 1964.
His first appointment in Africa was in Mbala (now Mpika) Diocese. There, he must have followed closely the development of the Lumpa Church started by Prophetess Lenshina. Subsequently, he went for studies in anthropology whereby his thesis was on the Lumpa Church.
Back in Zambia, he followed closely the issue of ‘scientific socialism’ in its Marxist way, which had been introduced in Zambia by the first President, Dr K. Kaunda, who thought he could blend it with Christian principles. Among other initiatives, Jean-Loup well prepared the participation of the Zambian Episcopal Conference and the dioceses to a National Conference on scientific socialism at the Mulungushi Conference Centre. The Catholic Church in Zambia, together with other main Churches, definitely had an impact on the issue which was afterwards abandoned by the Government.
Later on, while living in Kabwata Parish in Lusaka, Jean-Loup was asked to start the Office of Social Awareness at the Zambian Catholic Secretariat. It is from that Office, in the 198ies that Sr. Theresa Walsh coordinated the “Training for Transformation” programme based on Paulo Freire methodology. Some M.Afr got involved in its diffusion. In collaboration with the Bishops of Zambia, he worked on starting methodologically the Justice & Peace work. He got a helper in the name of Mr. Samuel Mulafulafu, whom he trained so well that he is still in the Office of Caritas Zambia up to now. A small library was also started with the help of a student called Phelim Malumo who later joined the M.Afr.
Jean-Loup’s Office was also very active at the time Zambia returned to multiparty democracy and chose a new President; Dr Frederic Chiluba. Several important National Conferences were held. One of them being on agriculture. Helped by Jean-Loup, a member of CARYM, the Catholic Rural Youth Movement presented a paper at this Conference.
The same Office closely followed the development of the country under the new political leadership.
On the afternoon of 6th December 1993, Jean-Loup was coming back by car from visiting some Parish Justice & Peace Committees in Chipata Diocese. Probably tired, he got an accident at some 140km before Lusaka. At a curve of the road, his car left the road, run on a small side path and was stopped by small trees. Soon, the farmer living nearby and good Samaritans on the road came to help him. He was taken to Mpansya Hospital, 40km back. However, seeing his situation, the Sisters took him to the U.T.H. in Lusaka.
From Woodlands, we went toward Mpasnya as soon we heard about the accident to hear that Jean-Loup was already in Lusaka. On 7th in the morning, I visited him at the U.T.H. He was well able to speak and even jovial. He had already been visited by the Hospital Chaplain, Fr. O’Loughen. However, when Brother Paul Donders went very early on the 8th, he learned of Jean-Loup’s death of an internal injury probably due to the steering wheel of the car. The family’s members have been contacted but nobody could come to Zambia for the burial.
Jean-Loup was buried at the age of 54 in the middle of many missionaries in the Jesuit Cemetery of Kasisi Mission, not far from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
See Video:
20 years after the death of Fr. Jean-Loup Calmettes, M.Afr
From left to right: Marc Nsanzurwimo, Halen Kerketta, Élie Nyembo Sango, Frédéric Abétertovo Somda, Jean-Paul Basikaba Evi, Pawel Dominik Mazurek, Dieudonné Rizinde, Raphaël Patrick Sebyera, Dave Hugh Cullin, Felix Kamunenge, Robert Lavertu, Venerato Babaine, Jonas Michael Mensah, Reinhold Bloching, Victor Sambari Sanou, Joe McMenamin, Emmanuel Mambwe, Jean-Luc Gouiller, Jules Roy
-
- From left to right: Marc Nsanzurwimo, Halen Kerketta, Élie Nyembo Sango, Frédéric Abétertovo Somda, Jean-Paul Basikaba Evi, Pawel Dominik Mazurek, Dieudonné Rizinde, Raphaël Patrick Sebyera, Dave Hugh Cullin, Felix Kamunenge, Robert Lavertu, Venerato Babaine, Jonas Michael Mensah, Reinhold Bloching, Victor Sambari Sanou, Joe McMenamin, Emmanuel Mambwe, Jean-Luc Gouiller, Jules Roy
From Woodlands, we went toward Mpasnya as soon we heard about the accident to hear that Jean-Loup was already in Lusaka. On 7th in the morning, I visited him at the U.T.H. He was well able to speak and even jovial. He had already been visited by the Hospital Chaplain, Fr. O’Loughen. However, when Brother Paul Donders went very early on the 8th, he learned of Jean-Loup’s death of an internal injury probably due to the steering wheel of the car. The family’s members have been contacted but nobody could come to Zambia for the burial.
Jean-Loup was buried at the age of 54 in the middle of many missionaries in the Jesuit Cemetery of Kasisi Mission, not far from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
See Video:
20 years after the death of Fr. Jean-Loup Calmettes, M.Afr
Thursday, 23 January 2014 12:25
Press Conference by the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC)
Catholic bishops want Sata to dialogue with opposition
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe, Thu 23 Jan. 2014
THIS jubilee year for Zambia should be dedicated to increased reconciliation and tolerance between ruling PF and the opposition based on transparency, says the Zambia Episcopal Conference.ZEC, the conference of the Roman Catholic bishops in the country also asked President Michael Sata to lead the reconciliatory efforts among key political actors in the country. “We are keen in initiating dialogue between the government and different stakeholders because we see that as the only way out,” ZEC vice-president Dr Alick Banda said. “If we are able to come together, dialogue and discuss that which is pertaining to our country…and that is the responsibility of everyone of us in our country.” Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu said there was need for dialogue and transparency among key political parties based on honesty and transparency. Archbishop Mpundu said arrogance among the ruling class was not exclusive to the PF government as such traits had been exhibited by other politicians once they were in power. “In our humble way, we tried to reason with successive administrations that the way forward as a nation is the direction of dialogue,” Archbishop Mpundu said. “Let us talk until the chickens go to roost. So, as long as we are not fighting, when we agree to disagree…we would like to continue on efforts to reach out to those who are in a position to drive this national agenda of reconciliation.” And in the official statement during the press briefing yesterday, ZEC said: “We also call for the nation to use the golden jubilee to foster dialogue, reconciliation and social justice. Let it be a year of renewal, self-cleansing and reconstruction. We also urge the government to quickly give clear direction and programme of events and activities that will be carried out during 2014 to mark the commemoration of the golden jubilee of Zambia’s independence. In this way, the nation will fully own the celebration and participate fully.” The ZEC press briefing was attended by all Catholic Bishops in all dioceses in the country.
PF arrogance shocks Catholics
Posted on 24 January 2014.
The Catholic Church has warned the PF government against intimidating citizens using state security institutions, including the police.
They have also deplored the abuse and biased application of the Public Order Act by the Police. Speaking on behalf of all the Catholic Bishops from the 10 provinces of Zambia at the end of their annual Bishop’s Conference at Kapingila house yesterday, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Archbishop Ignatius Chama noted with deep concern that the strides Zambia made were negated and eroded by governance arrogance of the ‘know it all’ type, and that there was a lack of humility among some of the leaders and that this had led to lack of stakeholder consultation when making decisions on key policy matters.
The ZEC has also demanded that the constitution making process should be put back on track as this would give Zambians a chance to resolve problems inherent in our governance processes such as elections.
“We further lament the vast sums of money that have gone and continue to go into holding of by-elections. These funds could have given Zambians many schools and hospitals. We appeal to the whole country to seriously reflect on how best unnecessary by-elections can be avoided. We are aware that this is worsened by the stalled constitution making process that could have provided legal limitations to by-elections,” he said.
Archbishop Chama who is Kasama Archbishop advised government to take the necessary steps that would move the process forward as demanded by the people of Zambia.
“We cannot go the way of the Inquiries Act, whereby the President and his cabinet sit to cherry-pick what they think should be in the constitution. We have been down this route before where respective ruling parties have desired that the constitution be made in their party’s image and likeness. This has always not worked and it will not work even now.
“The people of Zambia are demanding nothing less than a constitution given to themselves by themselves. The final draft Constitution prepared by the Justice Silungwe technical committee should without further delay be released to the public and other stakeholders, consistent with the roadmap announced by the Constitution Technical Committee at the commencement of its mandate. The people have spoken many times over the years and even now; they want the constitution adopted through a referendum, VoxPopuli, Voxdei,-the voice of the people is the voice of God,” he said.
He said as ZEC they rejected the excuse of expenses given the fact that the country had lost huge amounts of money in the botched processes of the past.
Archbishop Chama said the police service in particular should be professional and impartial in carrying out their duties of maintaining law and order and that too many of the nation’s resources and time were wasted on politicking at the expense of real development. “This culture must change for the better,” he warned.
The Archbishop said the Church noted that the political environment in Zambia today was characterised by manipulation, patronage and intimidation of perceived government opponents.“Why is it that those who try to question certain practices are treated with scorn and humiliation? These are manoeuvres meant to intimidate people from participating in their own affairs and providing checks and balances in the governance of this country. What’s in Zambia’s draft Constitution?
From Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Johannesburg)
