Pawel Hulecki is elected assistant

Pawel Hulecki is elected assistant

Today, Friday, 3rd June 2022, Father Pawel HULECKI was elected Assistant General of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by the General Chapter here in Rome.

Our fraternal congratulations and our best wishes to Pawel for his new service of the Society and of confreres.   

Rome, 3rd June 2022.
André-L. SIMONART,
Secretary General.

Chapter Communication – 2nd June 2022

Chapter Communication - 2 June 2022

The day was devoted almost entirely to plenary sessions with some main topics:

    • Mission outside Africa;
    • Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation;
    • Inter-religious dialogue, ecumenism, Islam, African traditional religions, new religious movements

I share with you some of the highlights.

MISSION OUTSIDE AFRICA

In the case of the Missionaries from Africa, we are talking about America, Asia and Europe. The capitulants feel the need to clarify the term “mission outside Africa” and “mission in the African world and where our charism is needed”. We note that Africans are migrating more and more, especially to Europe and America. Among them are animists, Christians and Muslims.

The capitulants made other points: the length of a confrere’s appointment to a mission outside Africa. They also expressed the need for a good preparation of the confrere, to ensure the quality of his ministry and presence. Even if the confrere knows the language well, he does not necessarily know the culture nor the mentality. Interculturality was discussed both in terms of the composition of the community of the Missionaries of Africa itself and in terms of the population of the parish where we serve. These projects are evaluated regularly.

It was noted that it is not easy to implement the missions outside Africa due to lack of personnel.

JUSTICE AND PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION

Everyone understands the difficulty of a relevant engagement in Justice and Peace. We feel a certain fear about the consequences and our security. However, it is possible to launch some Justice and Peace initiatives in collaboration with the local Church and the population.

While the commitment to justice is very sensitive, the commitment to peace and the integrity of creation is received much better by the authorities and the people. It offers us an entry point. Indeed, the population is very interested in seeing the social situation improve, in seeing a development project taking shape, in seeing their fields being better cultivated. This form of commitment creates bridges for encounter, exchange and collaboration.

We should not think that a lot of monetary investment is required for this ministry. The capitulants shared some examples of initiatives that are accomplished without great expense, without publicity, and yet are very effective, not only in terms of development but also in creating more links between the people. 

ENCOUNTER – DIALOGUE – ECUMENISM
TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIONS
NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

A fundamental principle of this ministry is to go out and meet the other. It is not necessary to have many material resources or even to be an expert. It is a matter of showing interest and friendship for the other, for their language and culture, which takes time. Thus, it is necessary to form stable communities so that trust grows and bonds are strengthened. Perseverance is required.

It is essential to initiate properly the confrere who is appointed to the ministry of dialogue.

As a missionary society, we are called to revive our interest in traditional African religions in order to understand them better. One of the difficulties of dialogue and encounter lies in the multiplicity of churches, sects, Muslim factions, new religious movements, state religions and secularisation.

The Catholic Church is increasingly promoting dialogue. Indeed, the latest edition of the Catechism contains a chapter on this subject. The Missionaries of Africa are working on this through preaching, catechumenate, sessions and also through catechesis.

 ELECTION OF THE THIRD ASSISTANT GENERAL
IN THE PERSON OF
FATHER ANSELME TARPAGA

During the afternoon, the capitulants elected the third Assistant General. He is Father Anselme Tarpaga, originally from Burkina Faso. He was in his second term as provincial in the Maghreb. We assure him of our friendship and of our prayers. May the Lord accompany him and guide him in his new responsibility as Assistant General.

Hans Peters, R.I.P.

Society of the Missionaries of Africa

Le Père Jozef de Bekker, Provincial Delegate of the sector of the Netherlands,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Hans Peters

on Thursday 2nd June 2022 in the hospital of Weert (Netherlands)
at the age of 92 years, of which 64 years of missionary life
in Tanzania and the Netherlands.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

(more…)

Anselme Tarpaga is elected assistant

Anselme Tarpaga is elected assistant

Today, Thursday, 2nd June 2022, Father Anselme K.A. TARPAGA was elected Assistant General of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by the General Chapter here in Rome.

Our fraternal congratulations and our best wishes to Anselme for his new service of the Society and of confreres.   

Rome, 2nd June 2022.
André-L. SIMONART,
Secretary General.

Chapter Communication – 1st June 2022

Chapter Communication - 1 June 2022

It is not easy to describe everything about the life of the capitulants. There are, of course, the meal times, the common prayer exercises and the various meetings planned for the Chapter. Let us not forget the outings to the restaurant which are also part of the Chapter. Each capitulant continues with his own routine, getting up, going to bed, internet, physical exercises, walking and of course moments of personal prayer. 

The liturgy is prepared by the teams and the language alternates daily between French and English. Lauds and Vespers are prayed either in the chapel or in the chapter auditorium. A member of the General Council decorates an area around the altar in the chapel with pictures and images related to the themes of the day. That initiative serves to keep the focus on the topics of the day and to think about them in the presence of the Lord. Is this not one of the habits of the missionary vocation?  

There is a good understanding between the capitulants. The exchanges during the plenary sessions are good, frank, open and respectful. The questions reveal the quality of the listening and the desire of understanding better the realities being discussed. The ambiance is cordial and fraternal. The elections proceed normally at set times.

The morning plenary was dedicated to the charism with its various aspects. The charism shapes our identity, who we are and the mission entrusted to us. The participants looked at what elements of our charism could be reaffirmed in order to consolidate our commitment, such as our link with God through faith and prayer. They also examine the internal difficulties that may be dangerous for us.

The afternoon was dedicated to primary evangelisation. The awareness that Africa still has many unevangelised places provides us with a good motivation to get off the beaten track and out of our well-established parishes and go to those places where the Gospel has not yet penetrated. Communication and the media occupied the second part of the plenary. We are called to put Jesus in our communications and to improve our use of them. Someone pointed out that some recommendations heard in the afternoon session are already in the last chapter documents of 2016.

MARIA JOSEPH LEO L.
ASSISTANT GENERAL

I am happy to announce the election of a second Assistant General that took place this afternoon. His name is Maria Joseph Leo. He was born in India and came from South Africa to participate in the Chapter. His election to the General Council is a page of history for our society, as he is the first member from India to be elected as Assistant General. We congratulate him and assure him of our prayers and support. May the Holy Spirit guide him in his ministry as Assistant General of the Society of Missionaries of Africa.

Leo Laurence Maria Joseph elected assistant

Leo Laurence Maria Joseph elected assistant

Today, Wednesday, 1st June 2022, Father Leo Laurence MARIA JOSEPH was elected Assistant General of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by the General Chapter here in Rome.

Our fraternal congratulations and our best wishes to Leo for his new service of the Mission, the Society and of his confreres.   

Rome, 1st June 2022.
André-L. SIMONART,
Secretary general.

Chapter Communication – 31st May 2022

Chapter Communication - 31 May 2022

The first activity of the day was a lecture on the Initial Proclamation by Fr Albert Maravilla (SDB). Fr. Maravilla began by stating that the Church has a desire to foster Christian faith within herself and among the nations. The Christian life is a way of life that encompasses all our lives and activities. He also showed how Jesus himself practiced the initial proclamation, with Nicodemus in need of a greater openness, the Samaritan woman at the well from a human need. The apostles followed Jesus’ example and Fr Maravilla mentioned St Paul who spoke of universal values in Corinth. He also referred to papal documents.

The initial proclamation consists in arousing in the hearts and minds of those around us the desire to hear about Jesus, an interest, a curiosity to know Him more. This interest will lead to an encounter with the Lord who will himself lead to faith through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The initial proclamation is addressed not only to non-Christians, but also to Christians, Catholics, who have abandoned the faith or are living it out of habit, without being fully aware of it. The initial proclamation is lived out at various levels, for example in the family, where the children receive the initial proclamation. It does not replace catechesis or other teachings to nourish the Christian faith in the hearts of people.

The initial proclamation is carried out through everyday encounters and is not concerned with conversion. It is carried out through our activities done with love for Jesus Christ, no matter what kind of activities they are. It wants to bring about a spiritual experience of an encounter with God. Fr Maravilla used the image of the spark that lights a flame. 

A time for questions followed.

The capitulants then entered into the plenary session where they discussed the themes already worked on in the teams, such as the charism, the prophetic mission, the evangelical counsels and collaboration with the laity. This work will continue tomorrow and will be submitted to the drafting committee.

Finally, the election of an Assistant General, Father Francis Bomansaan, took place. Father Bomansaan was born in Ghana. He was working in Kenya. We congratulate him and wish him a fruitful ministry in his new responsibilities. We also assure him of our prayers and support.

While we are on the subject of praying for the Chapter, let us not forget that the election of the Assistants General will continue over the next few days. May the Holy Spirit inspire the members of the Chapter in their choices. A prayer to this effect will certainly be a leaven of unity for our whole missionary Society.

Fr. Alfred Maravilla is a Salesian Missionary, a member of the General Council in charge of the Missions. You can listen to the conference – in English – that he gave to the Capitulants on this Tuesday 31st May 2022. 

Francis Bomansaan elected assistant

Francis Bomansaan elected assistant

Today, Tuesday, 31st May 2022, Father Francis BOMANSAAN was elected Assistant General of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by the General Chapter here in Rome.

Our heartfelt congratulations and our best wishes to Francis for his new service of the Mission, the Society and of his confreres.   

Rome, le 31 mai 2022.
André-L. SIMONART,
Secrétaire général.

Chapter Communication – 30th May 2022

Chapter Communication - 30 May 2022

The third week of the Chapter brings us into the second phase, which is that of discernment. The moderators provided practical guidelines for quality work and discernment. For a good discernment, we need to take into account the ecclesial context and our own missionary history, to have good criteria, to remain open to today’s reality and to be clear and precise in our sharing. Prayer is essential to receive the light of the Spirit.

They reminded the Chapter members that they had been selected several topics and gathered them under broader themes, such as mission, charisma, formation, governance. Today the charism is the first to be addressed. Our Superior General stressed that mission is a prophetic witness in which interculturality plays a great prophetic role.

Father Dave Sullivan introduced the theme by talking about mission as prophetic witness, using the meaning of the two words, witness and prophet. To be witness requires that our lives reveal something of the Gospel. He strongly emphasised that a prophet is one who lives what he says and says what he lives. This attitude makes him an authentic prophetic witness. It is crucial that the prophet be able to transmit a message that is relevant to the people who hear him. In concluding, he invited the capitulants to find concrete ways to remain faithful to our mission and charism. We do not become prophetic witnesses with beautiful ideas, but rather by living the components of our missionary oath in a way that is relevant to today’s world.

Among the practical indications, the moderators explained that the chapter will move forward with alternating team and plenary work.  There will also be a drafting committee that will write documents to be presented in plenaries for discussion and improvement. At this point, there is no decision being taken.

During this period, orientation voting will be held to elect future members of the General Council.

The moderators left two questions to start today’s team reflection:

    • What are the hindrances – obstacles – shadows that prevent us from living our mission as prophetic witnesses?
    • What do we need to reaffirm in our charism for our witness to be prophetic?

Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M.Afr., Bishop of Wa (Ghana), created Cardinal

Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr created Cardinal

Pope Francis announced today, Sunday, 29th May, feast of the Ascension, that he will create 21 new Cardinals at a special Consistory on Saturday, 27th August 2022. Among the 21 new Cardinals is our confrere, Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, Bishop of Wa (Ghana). Pope Francis added: “Let us pray that they will help me in my mission as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s people”.

Together with our prayer, the Superior General, Father Stanley Lubungo and his Council, the 40 capitulants gathered here and all the confreres at the Generalate send Bishop Richard Baawobr our fraternal congratulations and best wishes.

Rome, 29th May 2022
Fr. André-L. Simonart, M.Afr.
Secretary General.