Ordination of John MacWilliam as Bishop of Laghouat (PE nr. 1081)

Homily of Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald

Worth Abbey, England, 20th May 2017

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”
“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

Just as Simon did, you, John, have answered “yes”. That day the Nuncio called you, you did not have much time to reflect before answering yes to the invitation of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to accept responsibility for the diocese of Laghouat. As proof of your consent we have the mandate that has just been read out.

Continue reading “Ordination of John MacWilliam as Bishop of Laghouat (PE nr. 1081)”

Interview with John MacWilliam, Bishop of Laghouat in Algeria (PE nr. 1081)

Bishop John MacWilliam, you were officially appointed as Bishop of Laghouat on the 16th March last; what were your feelings before you accepted?

My first thought, when the Apostolic Nuncio informed me of this decision of the Holy Father, was for my predecessor, Bishop Claude Rault, M.Afr who had waited for such a long time to be replaced as Bishop of Laghouat for reasons of age and health. As the Provincial of the White Fathers in the Maghreb, I was concerned for his well-being. I said to myself, “al hamdu lillah!” However, when the Nuncio told me I was his replacement, I was shocked because I never really thought about such a possibility. Continue reading “Interview with John MacWilliam, Bishop of Laghouat in Algeria (PE nr. 1081)”

“Africa Fundacion Sur” and the Impact of its Activities (PE nr. 1081)

Since 1979, “Africa Fundacion Sur” (AFS), which is based in Madrid, has worked in the area of information, education, documentation, promotion of JPIC, dialogue and integral development. In fact, in all that concerns the African continent.

The basic objectives remain the same: a better understanding of African cultures, the reality, potential and challenges of the African peoples, seeking to promote more just relationships and integral development.

Continue reading ““Africa Fundacion Sur” and the Impact of its Activities (PE nr. 1081)”

Andreas Edele, R.I.P.

Father Rudi Pint, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Germany,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Andreas Edele

on 22nd July 2017 at Krankenhaus – Balingen (Germany)
at the age of 83 years, of which 58 years of missionary life
in Malawi, Zambia and Germany.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Continue reading “Andreas Edele, R.I.P.”

Sister Margarete Maria Zilt (Emiliana), R.I.P.

The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
invite you to share their hope and to pray for

Sister Margarete Maria Zilt (Emiliana)

from the Diocese of de Essen (Germany)
and from the community of the Seniorenzentrum der Barmherzigen Brüder.
She entered into Eternal Life at Trier on the 18th July 2017
at the age of 91 years,
of which 68 years of Missionary Religious Life
in Algeria, in Spain, in Burkina Faso and in Germany.

MSOLA : New General Council

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Heartfelt thanks for your prayer and support before and during our General Chapter (1st to 23rd July 2017). The new leaders of our Congregation have been elected for the six coming years (2017 to 2023).

They are:

  • Superior General: Sr. Carmela Sammut, from Malta, (reelected)

and the General Assistants:

  • Sr. Maria del Carmen Ocón Moreno, from Spain, reelected,
  • Sr. Juliana Karomba, from Tanzania,
  • Sr. Mapendo Masirika Annonciata, from D.R. Congo.

As they take up the leadership of our Congregation, they still count on your friendship, prayer and collaboration, so that, together, we implement the theme of our Chapter:

“Bearers of hope, listening to the voice of the Spirit,
moving forward together towards the peripheries.”

Our deep gratitude to our former leadership team of 2011 to 2017 for their loving and dedicated service.

Sr. Madeleine Bédard, General Chapter Secretary
On behalf of the new leadership team

Charles Sarti, R.I.P.

Father Patrick Bataille, Provincial Delegate of the sector of France,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Charles Sarti


on the 18th of July 2017 at Bry-sur-Marne (France)
at the age of 85 years, of which 59 years of missionary life
in Burkina Faso and in France.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Continue reading “Charles Sarti, R.I.P.”

René Konings, R.I.P.

Father Luc Putzeys, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Belgium,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

René Konings

on the 17th of July 2017 at Onze Lieve Vrouw van Antwerpen
at the age of 88 years, of which 63 years of missionary life
in Burundi and in Belgium.

Let us pray for him, for his brother Herman, M.Afr., and for his loved ones.

Continue reading “René Konings, R.I.P.”

Sister Connie Gemme, R.I.P.

The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
invite you to share in their hope and to pray for

Sr. Constance Gemme (Connie – Sr. Colomban)

Born in the Diocese of Worcester in the USA,
she belonged to the Community of Holyoke.
She entered into Eternal Life around noontime,
today the 15th of July 2017
at the hospital of Baystate, MA, USA.

She was 85 years of which 62 years of Missionary Religious life
in Ghana and in the United States of America.

Sister Thérèse HANNESSE, R.I.P.

The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
invite you to share in their hope and to pray for

Sister Thérèse HANNESSE (Véronique Juliani)

She entered into Eternal Life at Chevilly Larue
on the 7th July 2017 at the age of 98 yrs
of which 76 yrs of Missionary Life
In Tunisia, Algeria and France

Missionaries of Africa
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