Aujourd’hui, les Missionnaires d’Afrique de l’Ouest vous proposent de visiter de nouvelles pages sur leur site http://www.mafrwestafrica.net.

Nous vous souhaitons tout d’abord de belles fêtes de Noël, et une bonne année 2017, pleine de paix et de joie.

Actualités

« Baobab Echos n°26 » la dernière édition du bulletin de la Province d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Merci au secrétaire pour ce beau travail trimestriel (lire la suite)

« Réformer la Curie » dans son discours du 22 décembre à la Curie, le pape François a énoncé les critères de cette réforme à laquelle il tient beaucoup (lire la suite)

Témoignages

« Les religions considérées comme positives » le secrétaire du Saint-Siège pour les relations avec les États, souligne le « rôle constructif » des religions dans la promotion de la paix (lire la suite)

« Aider les enfants au Burkina Faso » une association apporte une aide à plus de 1 500 enfants et 500 familles à Bobo Dioulasso (lire la suite)

« Poésie mystique » Iza Batres est lauréate au prix Fernando Rielo. Elle a déjjà à son actif plusieurs prix littéraires (lire la suite)

Dialogue interreligieux

« Pourquoi dialoguer avec les musulmans ? » les réponses du Cardinal Tauran à cette question, sur le site romain de Zenit (lire la suite)

« Laïcité France-Belgique » dans « Saphirnews » qui est le média leader sur le fait musulman. Il est le premier quotidien Web sur l’actualité musulmane tant par son ancienneté, sa notoriété que par sa fréquentation. (lire la suite)

« Les valeurs religieuses enrichissent notre société » Le Saint-Siège souligne « le rôle clé » du « dialogue constructif » et de l’éducation dans la promotion de la tolérance et de la non-discrimination (lire la suite)

Justice et Paix

« L’Evangile à la source de l’action » Que l’Europe retrouve la lumière de l’Évangile comme critère d’inspiration de ses actions (lire la suite)

« Crise des migrants et solidarité » ou comment la crise des migrants a réveillé la solidarité dans nos pays d’Europe (lire la suite)

Vu au Sud – Vu du Sud

« Législatives ivoiriennes » le parti soutenant le président Alassane Ouattara obtient la majorité absolue à ces élections (lire la suite)

« Bilan diplomatique de la CEDEAO ? » sur le site de « Jeune Afrique » différents liens qui permettent de mieux comprendre ce qu’est la CEDEAO et son bilan (lire la suite)

Our Mission Newsletter Edition No 10 – South Africa

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 24, 2016

In News

Fr. Gordon Rees mccj, National Director, Missio SACBC / PMS -South Africa, Botswana & Swaziland

Dear Friends,

As we come to the end of 2016 we look back with gratitude to the Lord for all the graces and blessings that we have received. The National Directors of Missio / Pontifical Mission Societies are extremely thankful to know that millions of people have been helped spiritually, physically and intellectually through the solidarity and generosity of our donors throughout the world. We ask God to bless and protect the Missionaries who dedicate their lives to bringing Jesus’ new life, forgiveness, mercy, hope and healing touch to all Nations.

In this our 10^th edition of OUR MISSION we also give the official statistics relating to the Catholic Church in the whole world. The number of bishops, priests and deacons have increased slightly, the number of Religious have decreased. Unfortunately the average age in all categories has increased. We all should work in promoting vocations to Priesthood and Religious life along with our regular prayer for new vocations and for all our serving pastors and leaders in our Church.

Sadly with the numerous scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years, one can become blinded to the so many dedicated and good persons who serve and labour in the same Catholic Church throughout the world helping millions of students, orphans, sick, elderly and abandoned persons. The Catholic Church certainly does more than any government, NGO, other religious group or charitable organization, in reaching out to and serving in situations of suffering, exclusion, discrimination and injustice throughout the world irrespective of whether those concerned are Catholic or not.

As we look forward to the celebration of Christmas and the beginning of a New Year, let us commit ourselves as Christians living in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland to be more open to the Universal Mission of the Catholic Church. To move from a self-absorbed and self-interested view—only the needs and challenges of my parish and diocese— to a truly catholic vision where we become concerned also about the needs and extreme challenges that our brothers and sisters face in other parts of the world, in particular in areas of first evangelization and where the Church is persecuted and struggling to survive and grow.

I wish you and yours abundant blessings, joy and peace from the Christ Child in this Christmas season! Let Jesus dwell in your life in order that you may be transformed ever more to make Him present to our world!

PDF file: our-mission10

Declaration of Intention in Jerusalem, December 21, 2016.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 23, 2016

In News

On December 21, 2016, the community of St. Anne in Jerusalem celebrated the renewal of the Declaration of Intention and the reception of the ministry of acolyte of Bosco Désiré Ufoyuru from the province of PAC and Richard Mwenya Mulenga from the province of SAP.

It was a simple but well-organised celebration by the members of the community and those of the small formation group. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald was the main celebrant and Father Martin Grenier, assistant to the Superior General, received the renewal of the Declaration of Intention.

Merry Christmas 2016

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 23, 2016

In News

Workshop on training and advocacy for persons with disabilities, Lusaka, Zambia

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 21, 2016

In News

By Ogato Douglas Momanyi ,M.Afr

A very interesting three-day workshop on training and advocacy for persons with disabilities is going at Garden House Hotel in Lusaka West. This workshop has been organized by Cheshire Homes Zambia in collaboration with Lillian Foundation. It’s an ecumenical workshop as it has drawn participants from different Christian faiths. It’s being facilitated by persons with disabilities who have been advocating for an integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities into the Zambian society. It begun today and will end on Wednesday evening (21/12/2016).

Oath and Diaconate Ordination in Abidjan, December 2016, Ivory Coast.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 20, 2016

In Diaconate

Fredrick Mulenga, Brother Michael Mpindo, Martin Kasongo and Peter Nyirenda.

By Domingos Mirembwe, Levison Goodwell and Brian Banda.

On the 10^th December, the community of Fraternité Lavigerie witnessed the oath taking of nine confreres. Four of them are from SAP, namely Fredrick Mulenga (Zambia), Brother Michael Mpindo (Malawi), Martin Kasongo (Zambia) and Peter Nyirenda (Malawi). The oaths were pronounced at the parish of Sainte Marie d’Agouèto of Abobo in Abidjan during Mass and received by Father Stanley Lubungo, Superior General. Confreres and many other priests, religious and lay people witnessed the event.

At the same event, with the exception of Michael Mpindo who made his oath as a Brother, our new confreres were ordained deacons by Bishop Willy Ngumbi, our confrere who is also Bishop of Kindu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In his homily, Bishop Ngumbi urged the newly engaged confreres to place their total trust in the Lord especially while facing challenges and difficulties.

Through the singing and utumpundu (acclamations), we felt and noticed the vibrant presence of the Zambian community working in Ivory Coast. They contributed to the joy of the event.

The ceremony of Oath and Diaconate was concluded with a meal which took place in the community of Fraternité Lavigerie. The compound was full of joy which was expressed in songs and dances.

We thank the SAP Province and the Society of the Missionaries of Africa for calling these young men. We commend them to your prayerful support as we place them under the protection of Mary Immaculate, Queen of Africa. To you our beloved new confreres, may God bless you and make successful and fruitful your missionary ministry. Congratulations and all the best!

: Fredrick Mulenga, Brother Michael Mpindo, Martin Kasongo and Peter Nyirenda.

New publication on Inter-Religious Dialogue in Africa.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 19, 2016

In Publications

Felix Phiri, M.Afr., Patrick Ryan, MHM (Eds), Inter-Religious Dialogue in Africa, In Search of Religious Respects, Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace, Paulines Publications Africa, 99 pages, 2016.

The topic of religious conflict is a concern of politicians, theologians, religious leaders and representatives, civil society and a wide range of stakeholders in the public and private domains.

This book is a sequel to the Manual for Inter-Religious Dialogue (Nairobi, 2012). That book was aimed at assisting religious leaders, facilitators and other actors in the broad field of inter-religious dialogue.

This book is a series of notes on selected aspects of dialogue between religions. It is not itself a manual of dialogue, but it is a companion to the Manual for Inter-Religious Dialogue. It is intended for professionals, for students of religion, and for all people of good will who believe in promoting dialogue among religions.

This book reinforces the urgency of dialogue between religions. There is no alternative to dialogue when it comes to building durable and peaceful co-existence.

The Golden Rule – treat others as you would like them to treat you – also known as the Ethic of Reciprocity, has been valued by human societies for thousands of years and is found worldwide throughout cultures, religions, secular philosophies and indigenous traditions. It reveals a profound unity underlying the rich diversity of human experience. With its emphasis on mutuality, interdependence and reciprocity, it is a simple but effective guide for respectful and harmonious co-existence.

http://www.columban.org.au/our-works/christian-muslim-relations/the-golden-rule

golden-rule-brochure-2014

Testimony of Antoon Oostveen about Father Antoon Coninx (+2016).

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 16, 2016

In News

00-pierre-lafollie-sap-blog-nov-2016 Father Coninx loved his missionary life. He was a man of great talents: artist painting and sculptor as much as a good writer. He animated groups of artists in Lusaka. He also set up the communication department in CATHSEC (Catholic Secretariat) including a magazine, T.V. documentaries for the national broadcast ZNBC and YATSANI Radio.

Father Coninx was a good preacher, an excellent pianist and a computer expert. He laid out numerous magazines and booklets. Unfortunately, like his mother, he spent his last years with the Alzheimer disease.

Here some pictures of Father Coninx and some of his achievements. Note that a mistake was published in one of previous pictures at the farewell party of Father Pierre Lafollie.

Protected: Motomoto Echo magazine – December 2016

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 15, 2016

In Publications

Official Opening of the SAP Pre-Formation Centre in Chipata, Zambia.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 12, 2016

In News

By Timothée Bationo, M.Afr

The story started in Beira, Mozambique, in 2012 with a meeting of the Vocation Directors. They were looking for ways of improving their relationship between the four Sectors of the SAP Province and the Formation Centre in Balaka, Malawi, where our candidates make their studies in philosophy.

The creation of a Pre-First Phase was then proposed to the Provincial Council and forwarded to the General Council in Rome. A green light was given to build a centre in Chipata situated in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The town is surrounded by hills and is about 20 kilometres from Malawi and less than 140 kilometres to the Mozambican border. Therefore, the three countries could easily get involved in following the progress of their respective students.

Father Jean-Luc Gouiller started looking for a piece of land and the ground work started in 2014. The buildings were completed in December 2015. We entered into the centre in the second week of January 2016 with an initial number of 18 students from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. They remained up to June 2016. The second academic year started on October 12, 2016. The Formation Centre currently has once more 18 students together with three staff members, namely Brother René Garand, Father Camille Konkobo and Father Timothée Bationo.

The SAP Pre-Formation Centre was officially blessed by Bishop George Lungu on November 18, 2016. Mass was presided by the Bishop outside the premises as the church building would have been too small to contain the crowd. The Bishop was pleased to see that the official opening was just two days away from the closure of the Year of Mercy. Consequently, the official opening of the Formation Centre coincided with the closure of the Year of Mercy at the diocesan level.

Various committees from Saint Athanasio Parish were established to take care of the catering, liturgy, security and reception. By 05:00, they were already setting up everything before the arrival of the Christians and the Bishop at 7:00. Some members of the Provincial Council were delayed a bit at the border with Malawi.

Leading the procession, Bishop George Lungu and Father Felix Phiri, the Provincial, cut the ribbon at the main gate of the centre to symbolise the official opening of the Formation Centre while the diocesan choir sang a Thanksgiving song. In a colourful procession, the Bishop blessed the chapel and other buildings. At Mass, the Bishop praised the work done by the missionaries in the past, what they are doing today and what is to come. He was grateful to the Society for building a Formation Centre in his diocese. He encouraged the Formation House to open its doors to people who would like to have retreats. The Formators are welcomed exercising their apostolate all around Chipata.

The Provincial blessed each student with a symbolic cross representing the beginning of their formation.

All the missionaries, Fathers and Sisters, came together to sing the Santa Maria song. Few speeches were conducted at the end of Mass including Father Gouiller, Father Felix Phiri, Father Timothée Bationo, the Bishop, the DCL President and a Government Official. Finally, the Master of Ceremony, Father Kamanga, invited everybody to share a meal. A final blessing came at the end of the day with the first rain of the farming season.

Members of staff at the formation house will ever remain grateful to the people who took part in the organisation and preparations of the official opening of the centre. We will always remember you in our prayers as we preach the Word of God.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Prosperous New Year in 2017.