News archive

To the Missionnaries of Algiers (1884) (Mini-lien nr. 476)

Below is the famous preface that Cardinal Lavigerie wrote in March 1884 for the publication of a collection of his pastoral writings. Beyond the style dated by the time and some historical reflections that we know today were obsolete, this text retains an apostolic inspiration and breath that still touches us today. And we will be able to recognize some phrases that remain famous in the living memory of the Society of Missionaries of Africa.

Continue reading “To the Missionnaries of Algiers (1884) (Mini-lien nr. 476)”

Being a civilian prisoner at the Garaison camp (Mini-lien nr. 476)

During the First World War, France considered the Germans, the Austro-Hungarians, the Ottomans, the Bulgarians present on its soil as enemies: they were concentrated in camps, including that of Garaison (Hautes-Pyrénées), installed in the former convent and school establishment of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception.

Continue reading “Being a civilian prisoner at the Garaison camp (Mini-lien nr. 476)”

Herman Bastijns, Profile (provisional)

Herman has been very much involved in the formation and in spirituality. As a consequence, many people knew him and were quite shocked when they learnt of his passing. That is why I took upon me to translate provisionally the profile that was sent from Belgium in the Dutch language before it is translated officially for the Petit Echo. Continue reading “Herman Bastijns, Profile (provisional)”

Creation Time 2018, week 1

The celebration of creation time has its origin in the Orthodox tradition. It was taken up by the World Council of Churches and recommended to the Catholic Church by Pope Francis. From September 1st until the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th, Christians thank for the gift of creation and reflect on how they can protect it and pass it on to future generations.

Please find here the Biblical and Liturgical text put together by Wolfgang Schonecke  (Netzwerk Afrika Deutschland)

Kungoni Cultural Centre Open Day

Here are a few photos, courtesy of Bro. Vitus Abobo M.Afr, of the 2018 Kungoni Cultural Centre Open Day.

If you would like to view all the photos, follow this link

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYS5XmoT3U4xwyQb9

Otherwise here are a few samples :

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”28″ gal_title=”Kungoni Cultural Centre – Open Day 2018″]

Please note that all the photos are copyrighted 

© Missionaries of Africa 2018

Fr. Jos Kuppens’ Jubilee

On August 11th, Father Jos Kuppens, M.Afr. was celebrated for his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood at Maula Cathedral, in Lilongwe. Together were two diocesan priests celebrated for their own jubilees. Here are some photo samples, but you can view all of them following this link. All the photos, courtesy of Brother Vitus Abobo, M.Afr.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYS5XmoT3U4xwyQb9

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”27″ gal_title=”Fr. Jos Kuppens Jubilee”]

Please note that all the photos are copyrighted 

© Missionaries of Africa 2018

Reflecting on formation

In the wake of the latest splashes from the United States, Stéphane Joulain has posted on Facebook some of his thoughts on the training of priests for the 21st century. As many of us are not Facebook enthusiasts, I reproduce this post here.

The formation of future priests is certainly one of the important places of the reform that Pope Francis could undertake. But first of all, we must agree in the Church on which face of the Church do we want and which ministries for this Church. The priests will have to find their right place there. Continue reading “Reflecting on formation”

But who can be a “saint” ?

Here is a reflection by Georges Paquet, formerly a Missionary of Africa in Tanzania, living now in Pau-Billière, on Holiness.

“To be holy, it is not necessary to be a bishop or religious. (Francis, in “Gaudete et exsultate”, quoted by “La Croix” of 19.07.18, who points out that our pope says not to forget young people like that young Neapolitan who will be “saint” on 14.10 with, finally, Oscar Romero, because the martyrs do not need to “perform a miracle”!)

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Elections in AMS

PROVINCIAL DELEGATES AND FIRST CONCILLOR IN EACH SECTOR

SectorProvincial DelegateFirst councillor
BRAZILRaphaël MutebaLuciano Fuchs
CANADAArmand GalaySerge St-Arneault
MEXICOCyriaque MounkoroDieudonné Rizindé
U.S.A.Barthélémy BazemoJean-Claude Robitaille

We thank each one of those who was elected as Provincial Delegate or First Councillor of his Sector.

The four Provincial Delegates are ipso facto members of the Provincial Council of AMS.

Réal Doucet
Provincial of the AMS
mafrprov@mafr.net

Clericalism is a component of the crisis

White Father, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of sexual abuse, Father Stéphane Joulain provides training in education and prevention. He deciphers this clericalism, denounced by the Pope, which has led the dioceses of Pennsylvania to hide crimes committed by priests for years.

Continue reading “Clericalism is a component of the crisis”