Posted on

Lavigerie Day

JOIN THE MEETING ZOOM HERE

It is 130 years since Cardinal Lavigerie died, leaving behind two young Missionary Institutes (the White Fathers and the White Sisters) that he founded in 1868 and 1869 respectively. Today, these missionaries work in more than 40 countries around the world.

Cardinal Lavigerie had an extraordinary passion for Africa. As soon as he arrived in Algeria, he envisaged the evangelization of the entire continent. The secret memoirs submitted to the Holy See a few years later reveal a man determined to transform the African continent, not only by faith but also through social development. He urged his missionaries to be apostles, making themselves “all things to all people”, like St Paul, and to win hearts in ” a gentle and charitable way”. They were to avoid any form of religious constraint. Lavigerie wanted the missionaries to respect and understand the local culture wherever they went. His cultural and religious sensitivity is an opening to inter-religious dialogue.

For Lavigerie, mission also means liberation and justice for the oppressed. That was why he embarked on the anti-slavery campaign. He was a man capable of expressing his deepest convictions about human values. The missionaries would continue this struggle by promoting the integral development of people and social cohesion.

Of course, there are many writings about Cardinal Lavigerie today. It is not the intention of the organisers of this day of exchange to exhibit  what has been written, but rather to remember this man who left a rich legacy, not only to his missionaries but also to Africa and beyond its borders. What did we inherit from Cardinal Lavigerie? What new look should we have on this legacy and how can we sustain it? Our discussions will focus on the following areas:

      1. Why is Lavigerie important today?
      2. Lavigerie’s inspiration for the anti-slavery struggle. What message for today?
      3. Lavigerie and the promotion of women
      4. Cardinal Lavigerie as seen by a Tunisian historian
      5. How can Lavigerie’s spirituality inspire us today?
      6. How can Lavigerie’s figure inspire young people today: the example of Lavigerie’s Secondary School in Ouagadougou
      7. The laity in Nairobi: how to live the charism of Lavigerie today

We hope that evoking the memory of Cardinal Lavigerie will contribute to «picking up the inspiring spark”, the ideals and the values that moved him so that we can continue in his footsteps with fresh energy. 

Program:

Time in Rome

Activity

Speaker

09:00 – 09:10

Welcome remarks

Jean-Marie AMALEBONDRA
(Algeria)
and Stan LUBUNGO
(Rome)

09:10 – 09:20

Presentation of speakers and topics

Peter MATESO
(Lyon)

09:20 – 09:40

Topic 1: Why is Lavigerie important today?

Serge TRAORÉ
(London)

09:45 – 10:05

Topic 2: How can Lavigerie’s spirituality inspire us today?  

Frank NOLAN
(London)

10:05 – 10:35

Discussion/Questions

Peter MATESO
(Lyon)

10:30 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 11:20

Topic 3 : Lavigerie and the promotion of women 

Sr Chantal VANKALCK
(Algiers)

11:20 – 11:40

Topic 4 : Cardinal Lavigerie as seen by a Tunisian historian

Dr Samia NABLI
(Tunis)

11:40 – 12:10

Discussion/Questions

Peter MATESO
(Lyon)

12:00 – 14:00

BREAK

14:00 – 14:05

Introducing the afternoon session

Serge TRAORE
(London)

14:05 – 14:25

Topic 5 : How can Lavigerie’s figure inspire young people today: the example of Lavigerie Secondary School in Ouagadougou

Sr Rosalie SOMBORO
(Ouagadougou)

14:30 – 14:50

Topic 6 : The laity in Nairobi: how to live the charism of Lavigerie today

Frank et Mary
(Nairobi)

14:55 – 15:15

Topic 7 : Lavigerie’s inspiration in fighting against slavery. What message for today?

Patient BAHATI
(Rome)

15:15 – 15:45

Discussion/Questions

Serge TRAORE
(London)

15:45 – 16:00

Closing remarks  

Sr Carmen SAMMUT
(Rome)

Posted on

5th Islamic-Christian Marian Day (OLA Algiers)

5th Islamic-Christian Marian Day

Saturday, March 28, 2020 

5th Marian Christian-Muslim Day
MARY: Words of women; bearers of values

9:30 am: Welcome at the Basilica and craft market.
10:00 am: ROUND TABLE:

Mrs. Anna Medeossi and Mrs. Amel Oudine:
Presentation of the Sanctuary of Santa Cruz, Oran.

Mrs. Karima Berger:
My experience in writing the book “You, my foreign sister”.

Mrs. Fayrouz Bibi:
Towards the promotion of a culture of dialogue and tolerance in Algeria.

Mrs. Michel Chachatti and Mr. Naguib Shallal:
Kiara Lubeck and “Mary’s Work” in Algeria.

Mrs. Asma Nouira (Tunisia) :
Mary, figure of encounter, in the popular Muslim faith.

Mrs. Cissé Zeinab Keita (Mali) :
The values of a virtuous woman according to Islamic-Christian marital qualities.

1:00 pm: Marian CUSCOUS
4:00 pm: CONCERT of organ, piano and singing
with Mr Christian Bacheley
and the students of the 3rd Master class.

Information and access cards: www.notre-dame-afrique.org/events

Posted on

World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees (6)

World's Day of Migrants and Refugees (6)

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS… The 29th of September is World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees. An opportunity to change our hearts, our ways of thinking… and to enter into the logic of God. NOT JUST ABOUT THE MIGRANTS… IT’S ABOUT THE WHOLE PERSON AND ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.

“The humanism that Catholic educational institutions are called to build is that which advocates a vision of society centred on the human person and his or her inalienable rights, on the values of justice and peace, on a correct relationship between individuals, society and the State, in the logic of solidarity and subsidiarity. It is a humanism capable of giving a soul to economic progress itself, so that it may be directed to the promotion of each individual and of the whole person.

Rebuilding humanism also means orienting educational work toward the peripheries, the social peripheries and the existential peripheries. Through service, meeting and welcoming, opportunities are offered to the weakest and most vulnerable. In this way we grow together and we mature, understanding the needs of others.”

Pope Francis

The Church has been celebrating World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees ever since 1914. It is always an opportunity for her to express concern for the most vulnerable people, who have to move for one reason or another; it is also an opportunity to pray for the challenges of migration and to raise awareness of the opportunities it offers.

For 2019, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not only about migrants” to help remove our blinders and to ensure that no one is excluded from society, whether they are long-term residents or newcomers.

Download here the full kit for Pastoral use.

Official website

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS

Posted on

World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees (3)

World's Day of Migrants and Refugees (3)

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS… The 29th of September is World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees. An opportunity to change our hearts, our ways of thinking… and to enter into the logic of God. NOT JUST ABOUT THE MIGRANTS… IT’S ALSO ABOUT OUR HUMANITY.

“Slavery is not something from other times. This practice has deep roots and it continues today in many forms: they include human trafficking, debt bondage, exploitation of children, sexual exploitation and forced domestic work. No one can wash their hands of these tragic realities without being, in some way, an accomplice in this crime against humanity.

The first thing we must do is to create greater awareness of the subject, to break through the veil of indifference that hangs over this segment of humanity who suffer, who continue to suffer.

The second great task is to act on behalf of those who have been turned into slaves.

All of us Christians are called to work together, in ever greater collaboration, to overcome all forms of inequality, every type of discrimination.”

Pope Francis

The Church has been celebrating World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees ever since 1914. It is always an opportunity for her to express concern for the most vulnerable people, who have to move for one reason or another; it is also an opportunity to pray for the challenges of migration and to raise awareness of the opportunities it offers.

For 2019, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not only about migrants” to help remove our blinders and to ensure that no one is excluded from society, whether they are long-term residents or newcomers.

Download here the full kit for Pastoral use.

Official website

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS

Posted on

World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees (2)

World's Day of Migrants and Refugees (2)

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS… The 29th of September is World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees. An opportunity to change our hearts, our ways of thinking… and to enter into the logic of God. NOT JUST ABOUT THE MIGRANTS… IT’S ALSO ABOUT CHARITY.

“Charity cannot be neutral, antiseptic, indifferent, lukewarm or impartial! Charity is infectious, it excites, it risks and it engages! For true charity is always unmerited, unconditional and gratuitous! It is also about the face we want to give to our society and about the value of each human life. Many positive steps have been taken in different areas, especially in the developed countries, yet we cannot forget that the progress of our peoples cannot be measured by technological or economic advances alone. It depends above all on our openness to being touched and moved by those who knock at our door. Their faces debunk and shatter all those false idols that can take over and enslave our lives, idols blind to the lives and sufferings of others, idols that promise an illusory and fleeting happiness. How arid and inhospitable a city becomes, once it loses the capacity for compassion! A heartless society… a barren mother. You are not the marginalized; you are at the centre of the heart of the Church.”

Pope Francis

The Church has been celebrating World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees ever since 1914. It is always an opportunity for her to express concern for the most vulnerable people, who have to move for one reason or another; it is also an opportunity to pray for the challenges of migration and to raise awareness of the opportunities it offers.

For 2019, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not only about migrants” to help remove our blinders and to ensure that no one is excluded from society, whether they are long-term residents or newcomers.

Download here the full kit for Pastoral use.

Official website

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS

Posted on

World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees (1)

World's Day of Migrants and Refugees (1)

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS… The 29th of September is World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees. An opportunity to change our hearts, our ways of thinking… and to enter into the logic of God. NOT JUST ABOUT THE MIGRANTS… IT’S ALSO ABOUT OUR FEARS.

Credit Photos : A Gichigi

“The ugly cruelty of our time tempts us to abandon any dream of freedom. And so we close in on ourselves, within our fragile certainty and security, inside the circle of people we like, in our safe routine.

Withdrawing into ourselves is a sign of defeat, and it increases our fear of “others”, strangers, outsiders, foreigners especially today, when migrants and refugees arrive to knock at our door in search of protection, security, and a better future.

It is not easy to enter into someone else’s culture, to put on the shoes of people who are so different from us and understand their thoughts and experiences. And so we often refuse to encounter others and raise barriers to protect ourselves. Instead of this, we are called to overcome fear and open up to encounter.” 

Pope Francis

The Church has been celebrating World’s Day of Migrants and Refugees ever since 1914. It is always an opportunity for her to express concern for the most vulnerable people, who have to move for one reason or another; it is also an opportunity to pray for the challenges of migration and to raise awareness of the opportunities it offers.

For 2019, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not only about migrants” to help remove our blinders and to ensure that no one is excluded from society, whether they are long-term residents or newcomers.

Download here the full kit for Pastoral use.

Official website

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MIGRANTS

Posted on

EAP – Forthcoming ordinations in East Africa

2019 Ordinations in East Africa

The Provincial Superior of East Africa, Fr. Aloysius G. Ssekamatte, is pleased to announce the ordination to the priesthood of four confreres of the East Africa Province. Following on this page is a map with the four places where our confreres will be ordained. Then you will find, for each one, a short curriculum and a few pictures mainly taken from their Facebook accounts.

Recommendations to use this map : Click ONCE on each red circle to read the details. You will move the map by persistent left click and move in any direction. You will zoom in or out by clicking on + or – (bottom left) or by scrolling the mouse wheel. On selecting the top right square, you will see a full view and, zooming in, you will be able to see distinctively the churches where our confreres will be ordained. Enjoy.

Edwin Obare Oduor

Born in 1984 in Kenya, Edwin did his spiritual year in Kasama, his stage in DRC and is completing his theological studies in Nairobi where he pronounced his missionary oath on 23rd November 2018. He will be ordained at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Karen, Nairobi (Kenya) on 29th June 2019 by Bishop David Kamau.

Alex Akankwasa

Born in 1986 in Uganda, Alex did his spiritual year in Kasama, his stage in DRC and is completing his theological studies in Abidjan where he took his missionary oath on 8th December 2018. He will be ordained at Kiabi Parish, in the Archdiocese of Mbarara (Uganda) on 29th June 2019 by Archbishop Paul Bakyenga.

William Thomas Budotela

Born in 1984 in Tanzania, William did his spiritual year in Kasama, his stage in Ghana and is completing his theological studies in Nairobi where he took his missionary oath on 23rd November 2018. He will be ordained at Ilemela Parish, in the Archdiocese of Mwanza (Tanzania) on 2Oth July 2019 by Archbishop Renatus Nkwande.

Joshua Masive Musyoki

Born in 1987 in Kenya, Joshua did his spiritual year in Bobo-Dioulasso, his stage in DRC and is completing his theological studies in Kinshasa where he took his missionary oath on 9th December 2018. He will be ordained at Machakos (Kenya) on 31st August 2019 by Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua. 

Posted on

Jérusalem – Semaine de l’Unité des Chrétiens

Regard œcuménique sur l’année 2018 avant la semaine de prière pour l’Unité

JERUSALEM – Le mercredi 16 janvier 2019, l’Ecole Biblique et Archéologique de Jérusalem a accueilli la traditionnelle conférence que donne le Père Frans Bouwen, M.Afr., avant la Semaine de prière pour l’Unité. Le père blanc, spécialiste des Églises orientales et du dialogue avec les Églises chrétiennes d’Orient a présenté l’actualité œcuménique de l’année 2018 aux fidèles et religieux de Jérusalem qui se retrouveront à partir de samedi pour vivre un temps de communion à travers des célébrations quotidiennes.

La semaine de l’unité est un événement de grande importance à Jérusalem, la présence des différentes Eglises chrétiennes a encouragé celles-ci à s’accueillir les unes les autres chaque jour pour partager un temps de prière. Ces célébrations attirent de nombreux fidèles et certains d’entre eux sont même des pèlerins qui viennent tout spécialement dans la Ville Sainte pour participer à cette Semaine si particulière.

Chaque année, à cette occasion, la commission pour le dialogue œcuménique propose une conférence sur l’actualité œcuménique des derniers mois, une façon d’inviter les fidèles à prier en ayant connaissance du chemin parcouru et à parcourir pour vivre l’Unité. C’est le président de cette commission épiscopale, le père Frans Bouwen qui se charge de donner les dernières nouvelles de ces chemins de rencontre entre les différentes Eglises. Le Missionnaire d’Afrique, membre de la Commission mixte du dialogue théologique entre l’Eglise catholique et l’Eglise orthodoxe a une très grande connaissance des Eglises orientales. Cependant, le Père Frans en début de conférence n’a pas manqué de préciser que sa présentation était, par la force des choses, portée par un regard subjectif, celui d’un théologien catholique installé à Jérusalem.

Lisez l’article complet de Cécile Klos sur le site du Patriarcat Latin de Jérusalem.