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
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
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- 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)
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 « Témoignages »« Confrères ayant travaillé dans la P.A.O. », annonce d’un décès récent, et quelques nouvelles tirées de correspondances reçues d’anciens de la Province (lire la suite)
« Etre secrétaire de la PAO », le témoignage du Père Alain Fontaine, qui occupe ce poste depuis le mois de septembre 2011. (lire la suite) Dans la rubrique « Actualités » :
« Deux cardinaux pour notre province » quelques extraits du site « Zenit » et du site du journal « La Croix » au sujet des 19 cardinaux choisis par le Pape François, particulièrement l’archevêque de Ouagadougou et celui d’Abidjan. (lire la suite)
« Les statistiques M.Afr au 1er janvier 2014 » : une reprise des chiffres qui nous ont été fournis sur le site de notre société, www.mafrome.org, (lire la suite)
« Les M.Afr. Jubilaires en 2014 », la liste de tous les Missionnaires d’Afrique qui fêteront cette année 25 ans, 50 ans,… et jusqu’à 75 ans de leur engagement missionnaire par serment. (lire la suite) Dans la rubrique « Vu au sud, vu du sud » :
« Les vœux du SEDELAN pour 2014 » un article paru comme d’habitude sur le site «www.abcburkina.net ». et qui engage à miser sur l’agriculture familiale. (lire la suite) Dans la rubrique « Justice et Paix » :
« Dimanche de la migration », un texte reçu du frère Jan Heuft, qui travaille depuis de nombreuses années en Algérie afin d’aider les migrants (lire la suite) Dans la rubrique « Maghreb » (diverses nouvelles) :
« Anniversaire à Tizi Ouzou », un article écrit par notre confrère Guy Sawadogo, originaire du Burkina et travaillant en Algérie, et qui nous parle de l’anniversaire de l’assassinat de 4 pères le 27 décembre 1994.(lire la suite) Dans la rubrique « Dialogue interreligieux » :
« Manifestations en Mauritanie », un article paru dans le bulletin hebdomadaire de l’ARCRE (Action pour la Rencontre des Cultures et des Religions en Europe) (lire la suite)
To: Bishop Giuseppe Sandri, MCCJ,
Diocese of Witbank, South Africa
My Lord,
Greetings of peace for the New Year 2014!
I write on behalf of the General Council of the Missionaries of Africa, to thank you wholeheartedly for message of condolences and for the accompaniment you offered to our confrères in Lebombo as they mourned the sudden and tragic loss of our confrère, Fr. Sébastien Ndrustomi. Fr. Philippe Docq, the Delegate Superior, did keep us informed of the everything that was going on and we could see your pastoral care to them in these trying moments.
Thank you for the consoling and challenging homily you gave at the funeral of Fr Sébastien and for welcoming him to rest with his fellow pastoral workers in the diocesan cemetery. We do appreciate this final gesture that seals his belonging in a unique way.
May God continue to bless you in your ministry.
We keep you in our prayers and thank you in advance for yours for us.
Sincerely,
Fr. Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M.Afr
Superior General
Reply of the Bishop of Witbank
Dear Fr. Philippe,
I hope you have reached Merivale safely.
Once again my condolence to Fr. Christopher, to you and all Missionaries of Africa for the passing away of Fr. Sébastien Ndrutsomi.
Thank for your presence in our Diocese. Pass my condolences also to your Fr. General and his Council.
Please find attached my Homily of the Funeral Mass.
We remain in touch and pray for each other.
+ Giuseppe (Joe) Sandri MCCJ
SERMON FOR THE FUNERAL OF FR. SÉBASTIEN NDRUTSOMI
Maria Trost 11th January 2014-01-09
We are gathered here before the altar of Christ to entrust to his Father’s love and mercy our brother and fellow priest Fr. Sébastien Ndrutsomi, so suddenly and tragically taken from us.
Brothers and sisters I warmly welcome all of you to this sad, painful and yet hopeful celebration. I welcome in a special way Fr. Christopher Chileshe, Provincial of The Missionaries of Africa of Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa, Fr. Philippe Docq, the Delegate Superior of the Missionaries of Africa in South Africa, Fr. Crispin Vungwa and Fr. Jean Pierre Le Scour who lived together with Fr. Sébastien and all the Missionaries of Africa present and the Catholics of Lebombo Parish. You and all of us in the Diocese of Witbank share in the same shock, sadness and grief as we look at the body of Fr. Sébastien in front of us.
We come to this church from many parts of South Africa and beyond, because, in spite of such a painful experience of death, we believe in life and in the life of Jesus Christ. To him we offer Fr. Sébastien and ourselves. We ask the Lord to welcome Fr. Sébastien in his kingdom. We ask the Lord to console us and all the bereaved. FULL TEXT
A lot of emotion but dignified and well prepared ceremonies. Warm support from the Bishop and the Comboni. The whole presbyterium of the Diocese was present at Maria Trost and a sizable congolese community: there are four congolese priests in the diocese and three communities of sisters originating from Congo.Seba will have a nice resting place but what a gaping hole is left in the Sector!
Thanks for uniting and crying with us, let us pray and hope that there will be somebody to pick up his spear and continue the fight! Didier Lemaire
Karl Kälin in 1985 in a printing press,
Dedicated, patient, joking.
Karl nearly 30 years later,
As dedicated as before, patient, joking.
Thank you Brother Karl for who you are.
Your faithfulness is an example to follow.
Like so many of us,
You went through tough time.
Today, you have grey hair,
And your belly has ‘slightly’ increase,
But your spirit remains sharp.
Wishing you strength and happiness for years to come.
The Spirit of Creativity remains
By Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr from the Petit Écho, January 2014, No 1947.
I came to Zambia in January 2012, after spending about ten years in Malawi. In June of the same year, I took over the job of Provincial Secretary from Georges Lauzon. I have also lived for ten years in the Congo before going to Malawi but coming to the capital of Zambia has proved to be a joyful and beneficial change for me. I still think of my first missionary experience in the Congo as being my closest ever experience with people. This sort of encounter is not thinkable in an office like mine today. However, as much effort and dedication was needed in learning languages or customs and moving around visiting Christian communities in villages, I feel the same spirit of creativity at work today. FULL TEXT
L’esprit de créativité persiste
Par Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr, extrait du Petit Écho, Janvier 2014, No 1947.
Du Malawi, je suis arrivé en Zambie en 2012 et, au mois de juin, j’ai repris la tâche de secrétaire provincial assumée jusqu’alors par Georges Lauzon. Venir dans la capitale de la Zambie après dix années de mission au Congo, et autant d’années au Malawi, s’est révélé pour moi un changement heureux et bénéfique. Je me rappelle encore mes premières années missionnaires au Congo. Ce fut pour moi l’expérience de la plus grande proximité jamais vécue avec une population. Aujourd’hui, ce genre de rencontre n’est plus réalisable dans mon service. De même que l’étude de la langue, des coutumes et les visites dans les communautés chrétiennes villageoises demandaient alors un effort et un engagement, je sens que ce même esprit de créativité est à l’œuvre aussi maintenant. TEXTE COMPLET
Agnes, as usually known at Home of Hope, spent some months at the Centre but went back to Poland just after the New Year. She is sending touching words about her experience with the street children of Lusaka. We wish her to enjoy her new life back home hoping to see her again among us, here in her second home…of hope.
From Agnes:
Kitek is gazing suspiciously all the time, as if with disbelief – she’s back. He’s sniffing, observing, recognizing. He’s spending all his time sitting on a suitcase abandoned in the middle of the room, in case of another sudden departure into the unknown.
My Zambian life came to an end. One hundred and fifty days of incredible wandering – with people, with culture, with my own head – all of it over once I got on the board of a plane. It was my second encounter with Home of Hope. I went back there after a year out of longing and out of conviction that this is the way it is supposed to be. I roamed with them regardless of my mood. I roamed my new world with curiosity, fear, anger and fascination. I learnt a lot even though I’d gone to teach there.
It was a wise encounter. I didn’t live a sheltered life. I lived next to, close, within reach. This astonishment and irritation of mine. Meeting another culture, colour, and other people – always a challenge for them and for you… I didn’t hide under a blanket of romantic Africa-in-the-sunset illusions. I saw a lot, heard a lot, experienced a lot. I came up against my own wall along the way, right next to my head… It’s a price and gain at the same time. I found balance between something beautiful, ephemeral, good and something dirty, pissed-on and bad. I experienced openness, love, care and unconditional being.
Quotidian life, built of ordinary getting-ups and ordinary falling-asleeps. The stories of children, of the street… this wandering never seemed to end. All I had to do was wait, and sit; a man and man meet.
But everything times two. This adventure is like that – two-sided.
I experienced being the other one, the one from the West or the East? Never mind, a stranger. Being not at home, not in my right place, being only an unintelligible White. I experienced what it’s like when everyone wants a bit of you and you’re falling apart into small pieces, only making sure that the head is where it should be. You’re looking for legs and arms – check, shaking a bit but they are still there. You’re making sure once again – yep, they are there. I was looking for my own boundaries, whether they weren’t full of holes, whether, by chance, they didn’t need mending… where was this crack which fear and sadness were leaking through?
But you keep on wandering, as the inner compass points at your direction and goal. It makes sense, this wandering, this step-taking, this building……
What’s good and what’s bad always forms us, only if we want to give it a chance.
Agnieszka Liberacka
Final note from the author:
Those were good 150 days. I thank the people who took me in, my White Fathers for faith and the joy of shared lives. The boys for the fun of passing time together. I thank Jacek for being, for standing by and for constant help in unravelling the tangle of my own misunderstandings and questions. I thank the people who met me halfway through this little journey and struggle of mine.
