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.
Click here to open the PDF file of the magazine.
Aujourd’hui, les Missionnaires d’Afrique de l’Ouest vous proposent de visiter de nouvelles pages sur leur site www.mafrwestafrica.net :
Dans la rubrique « Actualités » :
« Dernières nouvelles de Rome », un article daté du 10 juin 2016, qui présente entre autres le Père Francis Barnes, premier assistant (lire la suite)
« Conseil général au complet » suite à l’élection su père Ignatius Anipu, qui était provincial de la PAO, le conseil est maintenant au complet (lire la suite)
« Pèlerinage aux saints d’Afrique » la description de l’expérience vécue au cours du dimanche 5 juin : le rassemblement de nombreux africains à Saint Maurice en Suisse (lire la suite)
« Nominations attendues en Algérie » tout particulièrement celle d’un nouvel évêque pour le diocèse de Laghouat Ghardaia, en remplacement de Mgr Claude Rault. (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Témoignages » :
« Dernières nouvelles du chapitre » article publié le 10 juin 2016, un article rédigé par le père Patrick Bataille (lire la suite)
« Fin du chapitre » Un nouvel article du père Patrick Bataille (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Dialogue interreligieux » :
« Début du Ramadan » un événement important pour tous les croyants de l’Islam de par le monde (lire la suite)
« La Tunisie » sur le site de l’ARCRE, trois articles qui montrent l’importance que peut avoir ce pays aujourd’hui (lire la suite)
« Islam, violence, féminisme, disparition chrétiens » trois autres articles pris sur le site de l’ARCRE (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Justice et paix » :
« Au Niger, les dirigeants d’un hebdomadaire devant la justice », une situation qui pose la question de la liberté de la presse (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Vu au sud, vu du sud » :
– « Relais Maghreb n°27 », la dernière édition de ce bulletin très enrichissant. (lire la suite)
– « Art africain : statuaire lobi » quelques photos et réflexions sur l’art africain en Afrique de l’Ouest. (lire la suite)
– « Où en est le Burkina ? » il y a relativement peu de temps que le pouvoir a été remis aux mains des politiques « légalement ». Qu’en est-il aujourd’hui ? (lire la suite)
– « Lettre de Laghouat Ghardaia », la dernière édition de la lettre de Mgr Claude Rault, évêque de ce diocèse (lire la suite)
On 8th May 2016 the parishioners of New Kaloko bid farewell to their shepherd. Our confrere Reinhold Bloching who for the last twenty years prayed with them and worked for them, went for his well-deserved home leave and left the parish for good. He is remembered not only for creating the parish and building the church, but also for constructing about 50 houses in the compound for the poorest of the poor. He also created a school called Bupe Mulenga Youth Training Centre in which young boys and girls from poor families can learn some skills needed in life, namely carpentry, brick laying, metal work, tailoring etc. For all of these and for many more things not mentioned here, the parishioners said a big THANK YOU. On the above mentioned day we gathered for the Eucharist to pray for Reinhold. Among the concelebrants there was also our Sector Delegate Fr. Venerato Babaine, who delivered the sermon, and Fr. Romaric. It was a very moving ceremony in which the parish movements expressed their gratitude and presented to Reinhold some gifts. But that was not the end of the farewell. The second part took place after the Mass, outside the church in a well prepared place. There were dances and groups offering gifts, among them delegates from other Churches, and of course a meal prepared by the Parish Council. The whole event was finished in late afternoon. We came home happy to see how our Zambian brothers and sisters are grateful for the good work done by Reinhold. Reinhold, I would like to let you know that you are being remembered, because every time I come to New Kaloko I am greeted with a question: “how is Father Bloching”. Well done, Reinhold and God bless you. Franciszek Szczurek, M.Afr
By Emmanuel Mambwe Chishala, M.Afr.
We were twenty-three people to attend the course in Jerusalem which ended last week; nine sisters, one lay woman, one brother and twelve priests from Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Singapore, Ireland, Portugal, Philippines, Poland and India.
I was graced with the following four most important wonderful experiences. Firstly, the fruitful break from the busy parish work. Secondly, the well time spent in visiting the holy places, especially the week we spent in Galilee. Thirdly, a relaxed Bible course both in the Old and New Testaments with special attention to Genesis, Job, the Gospels and the letters of St. Paul. Finally, the thirty days retreat which gives you time to evaluate your personal prayer and commitment to Gods’ calling.
I had time to pray, reflect and renew my body, spirit and soul. I’m so thankful to God and my Society to have given me this opportunity to be in Israel. I do appreciate my confreres doing this service to many people. The community of St. Anne made it possible for us to seriously re-energise my calling and commitment to the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
My highest point of my stay was the passion walk at night from St. Anne, the Gethsemane garden, the palace of Pilate, the Golgotha and finally the tomb of Jesus. Yes! It happened and now I’m so encouraged believing and wish to share more of my wonderful experience with others. May God bless Africa and our missionary Society.
By Leonard Katulushi
The third year students in philosophy at the Inter-congregational Institute of Philosophy, Human Sciences and Religious Studies in Balaka graduated on the 3rd June 2016. The graduation was presided by the chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi, Most Rev. Bishop Msusa. We indeed finished our first phase of formation in Lechaptios Formation House with this splendid graduation. The 6 students who graduated were Titus Chinkondenji (Malawian), Leonard Katulushi (Zambian), John Zulu (Zambian), Allan Kawenda (Malawian), Lawrence Moyo (Malawian) and Saviour Chanda (Zambian).
Click on the picture and see a short video clip from today’s audience with Pope Francis when he joked with us about losing a Superior General. A wonderful short video. Enjoy. Fraternally, Raymond McQuarrie, M.Afr
CHAPITRE, mercredi 08 juin 2016 (extrait de la lettre du père Gilles Barette)
« Ce matin, nous avons eu l’Eucharistie à 7 heures. Car dès 9 heures, tous les capitulants avaient rendez-vous au Vatican, près du bâtiment du Saint-Office, devenu Congrégation pour la Doctrine de la Foi. Conduits par Monseigneur Richard Baawobr, habillé en évêque, nous sommes passés par les détecteurs de métaux (nos ceintures, nos montres, notre monnaie) et la machine qui détecte si nous portons encore quelque chose qui pourrait être suspect. On nous a alors indiqué où aller pour prendre nos places réservées sur la place St-Pierre, entre la basilique et la grande place. Nous avons attendu en plein soleil pendant plus d’une heure avant que la papamobile conduisant le Pape ne surgisse derrière nous et fasse le tour de la place St-Pierre, s’arrêtant ici et là pour saluer des enfants, des handicapés, etc. Finalement, il est descendu de sa voiture, est monté sous le chapiteau au centre devant la porte sainte de la basilique. Pendant ce temps, des haut-parleurs transmettaient des informations en plusieurs langues: les différents groupes présents sur la place, et le déroulement de l’audience. (…)
Le Pape s’est alors déplacé pour aller prendre des photos avec certains groupes: des migrants d’un diocèse du sud de l’Italie, des sauveteurs en montagne accompagnés de leurs chiens, des personnes en chaise roulante ou souffrant d’une malformation physique, des aveugles, etc. Pendant ce temps, “il capitolo generale dei Padri Bianchi” a été appelé pour que nous allions prendre place au lieu où allaient être prises les photos.
Quand le Pape est arrivé à nous, il a souri et a posé une question: « Savez-vous ce qu’il faut faire pour se débarrasser d’un Supérieur Général? » Nous ne savions pas. Alors il a dit: « Farlo un vescovo: en faire un évêque ». Après avoir salué Richard Baawobr et notre nouveau Supérieur Général Stan Lubungo, le Pape a dit sur un ton sérieux maintenant. « Vous, Missionnaires d’Afrique, faites un très bon travail dans les jeunes Églises. Votre témoignage est magnifique, plein de la radicalité de l’Évangile, continuez avec courage ». Et photos, puis photos. Nous nous sommes alors retirés et sommes rentrés à la maison de la Via Aurelia. »
Title: : Let’s praise You.
Songs: 1. You who serve the Lord. 2. The body of Jesus. 3. Confession. 4. Praises. 5. Father, I have overcome the world. 6. He is blessed. 7. My child. 8. You, our God, care for us. 9. Let’s praise You. 10. I send you. 11. He is born. 12. You God, come! Note: all the songs are in Chibemba.
The CD is a thanksgiving for 53 years of presence of the Missionaries of Africa in Serenje, Zambia. Currently in Serenje are Father Saju Jose Akkara, Indian, Deacon Douglas Ogato, Kenyan, and Innocent Majune Iranzi, Congolese.
