Happy feast to the MSOLA Posted on 09/09/201909/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Bonne fête à nos sœursAlthough they have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of their foundation with the Missionaries of Africa since last December 8, the White Sisters intensified their celebration yesterday, the 8th of September, considered to be “THE” anniversary of their foundation. We therefore wish them a very happy anniversary celebration.
In memoriam Rev. Jan Lenssen Posted on 09/09/201909/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo In memoriam P. Jan Lenssen The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity has given, on their website, the following testimony of our confrere Jan Lenssen, who passed away a few weeks ago. Jan has indeed spent a lot of energy on Ecumenism. “It is with sadness that the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has learned of the death of Reverend Father Jan Lessen, M.Afr., who for many years represented the Council at the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches. Throughout his fruitful missionary ministry, Father Lenssen was an untiring worker in the field of Christian unity.Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Dicastery, sent a letter of condolences to Reverend Father Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa.”
A testimony of Apostolic Life Posted on 07/09/201907/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Testimony of Apostolic Life in AlgeriaAs part of the Jubilee Year, the Roman Committee organised, more or less monthly, conferences on relevant themes. Our confrere Claude Rault, Bishop Emeritus of Ghardaia, came to Rome for a few days and gave us his life testimony during a talk at the Generalate. About twenty participants were present, including the General Council. Click here to listen to Bishop Claude Rault’s talk (in French)
Jean-Guy Richard, R.I.P. Posted on 05/09/201905/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Society of the Missionaries of AfricaFather Réal Doucet, Provincial of the Americas,informs you of the return to the Lord of FatherJean-Guy Richard on Tuesday the 3rd of September 2019 at Sherbrooke (Canada)at the age of 86 years, of which 58 years of missionary life in Zambia, Malawi and Canada.Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.Download here the announcement of Father Jean-Guy Richard’s death (more…)
Workshop in Rome on Interculturality Posted on 02/09/201902/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Workshop on Interculturality The workshop on the theme “Living in an intercultural community as an apostolic witness today” will take place at the Generalate from 1 to 8 September 2019. Confreres from all provinces and sections participate in order to become resource persons available to their respective province.Why this training workshop? We want to follow up on the 28th General Chapter which ‘’invites us to fully commit ourselves to building communities which are truly intercultural’’.Andreas GöpfertText of the Opening Address of Francis Barnes (First Assistant i.c. of on-going Formation)
A word of thanks from Mgr Michael Fitzgerald Posted on 02/09/201902/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo We have received this Word of thanks for the many who congratulated Mgr. Michael Fitzgerald after the announcement of his inclusion in the College of Cardinals. Thank you for your congratulations on my inclusion in the College of Cardinals, and I would ask you to join me in thanking Pope Francis for this honour. I would like to include in this expression of gratitude all those Catholics and other Christians and people of all different religions who have helped me to serve in the field of interreligious relations. I would ask you to pray for me so that I may continue to give this service generously and joyfully.+ Michael Fitzgerald
Mgr Fitzgerald Cardinal Posted on 01/09/201901/09/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Pope announces 13 new Cardinals for the missionary ChurchAt the Angelus Pope Francis reads the names of those prelates who will receive the red hat on October 5th, the vigil of the Amazon Synod.After reciting the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis announced a consistory to be held on 5 October for the nomination of 10 new Cardinals. He said that the places where these new Cardinals come from express the missionary vocation of the Church as she continues to announce the merciful love of God to every person on earth.[The names of the ten new Cardinals are proclaimed… Then, comes the big piece of news]Along with these new Cardinals, the Pope is adding two Archbishops and a Bishop who have served the Church in a distinguished way:Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald – Archbishop Emeritus of NepteArchbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius, sj – Archbishop Emeritus of KaunasBishop Eugenio Dal Corso, psdp – Bishop Emeritus of BenguelaLet us pray for the new Cardinals so that, confirming their adhesion to Christ, they might help in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all the faithful Holy People of God.From all of us, in Rome and elsewhere, heartfelt congratulations to you, Michael.
Protect the Oceans – Pope’s video for september Posted on 31/08/201931/08/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Let's protect the oceansThe Pope's video - September 2019One way to explain the importance of taking care of the oceans is to use a couple of simple but effective examples: one out of every two people lives off of the ocean, and of every two breaths we take, one is thanks to the oceans. Let us take care of them. Their death is the death of all life on earth, including us.“Oceans contain the bulk of our planet’s water supply, and also most of the immense variety of living creatures, many of which are threatened for various reasons.Our solidarity with the ‘common home’ is born from our faith. Creation is a project of love given by God to humanity.Let us pray this month that politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.”
Season of Creation 2019 Posted on 31/08/201931/08/2019 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Season of Creation 2019 Every Christian community around the world is invited to celebrate “The Season of Creation” in its own way. It is a privileged moment to pray, reflect and take concrete measures to preserve creation and to integrate our concerns for the “Common House” into our daily attitudes and behaviours.September 1st, World Day of Prayer for Creation, opens the season every year.October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis and the last day of the season of creation.This year the theme of the Season of Creation, chosen by its international steering committee, is “The Web of Life: Biodiversity as God’s Blessing”, a theme that resonates with the important and popular message of Pope Francis that everything is connected.There are educational materials available. Attached to this mail, you will find already some proposals for prayer. In the coming weeks, you will receive further information on possible activities. If you already want to know more, please consult the following page: https://seasonofcreation.org/guide/Fraternally wishesAndreas Göpfert, Coordination JPIC-EDManuel for the Season of Creation 2019Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email
Interview of Stéphane Joulain Posted on 30/08/201930/08/2019 by Vitus Danaa AboboLast January, Stéphane Joulain conducted a training course on the fight against child sexual abuse for the ecclesial staff of the diocese of Bordeaux in France. On this occasion, he gave an excellent interview, in French!As a reminder, Stéphane Joulain is a psychotherapist and a member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). He has been working on this issue for over fifteen years, accompanying victims and participating in the treatment of sexual assault offenders in Canada. He teaches in Rome and Africa on the prevention of sexual abuse.