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Chapter Communication – 6th June 2022

Posted on by Jean Lamonde

Chapter Communication - 6th June 2022

The work of the Chapter resumes today, Monday, after a visit to Assisi and to Pompeii on Saturday. Yesterday, Sunday, was a holiday and there was a celebration with religious communities close to our Generalate for the day of Pentecost. We heard a short meditation on each of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The first task of the capitulants was to appoint the first assistant.

FRANCIS BOMANSAAN WAS ELECTED
FIRST ASSISTANT
JUNE 6, 2022

We congratulate and thank him for accepting this important position. We assure him of our support in the exercise of his responsibilities and apostolate.

The General Council is now complete at the beginning of the fourth week of the Chapter, the day after Pentecost, when Pope Francis proclaimed an important reform of the Roman Curia, one of the aims of which is to give a more central place to the mission of the Church.

The afternoon is dedicated to the plenary session.

INITIAL AND SPECIALISED TRAINING

The members of the Chapter considered formation from missionary vocational animation to specialised formation. The effort of the Society for formation is immense and the work of the Formation Secretariat contributes to the quality of our formation.

In all its phases, our formation is made up of several components, spirituality, community life, mission, studies, etc. We want it to be holistic, human and integral. In order to achieve this goal, special care must be taken to the quality of the formators and the selection of candidates. Several points were discussed: the balance between rights and duties in our formation houses, the study of two official languages of the society, interculturality, memorandum of understanding, relation formators-candidates, and many others. The consortia in which we collaborate show the evolution of formation, quite different from the time when we had our own scholasticates.

For some time now, formation houses have been asked to start small self-financing projects. These are not limited to the economic aspect, as they are part of formation, encouraging confreres to do the same after ordination or oath.

Specialised formation is becoming more and more necessary due to the development of Africa and its teaching institutions. In the appointment to specialised formation, it is important to consider the needs of society and the mission, without forgetting the interests, gifts and charisms of the confreres who are appointed to it.

FORMATION AND IDENTITY OF THE BROTHERS

All the members of the society are happy to have the brothers among us, proud of their work and apostolate over the years. We form a society of brothers and priests according to the will and efforts of our founder. The witness of the brothers and their work in education, construction, printing, agriculture, development has shaped the history of our society, its mission and is part of its heritage. This fact confirms that we share a common missionary vocation and that this vocation is lived out in two different ways. The brothers need courage, because their vocation is often misrepresented, misunderstood and underestimated.

We must recognise that the formation programmes for the brothers lack clarity and precision. A common formative core for brothers and fathers at the beginning of formation is good. The brothers are happy to have received a good basic philosophical and theological formation. Like the fathers, they need a deep and well integrated spirituality. The choice of professional formation needs to take into account the needs of the society and the mission as well as the gifts and charisms of the brothers.

It is essential to pay attention to the new emerging profile of the missionary brother.

Francis Bomansaan elected First Assistant

Posted on by Philippe Docq

Francis Bomansaan elected First Assistant

Today, Monday, 6th June 2022, Father Francis BOMANSAAN was elected First Assistant of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by the General Chapter here in Rome.

Our fraternal congratulations and our best wishes to Francis.    

Rome, 6th June 2022.
André-L. SIMONART,
Secretary General.

Chapter Communication – 3rd June 2022

Posted on by Jean Lamonde

Chapter Communication - 3 June 2022

On Uganda Martyrs’ Day, the chapter continued its work and this morning in plenary discussed two aspects of mission: listening to the local Church and integrity of ministry.

LISTENING TO THE LOCAL CHURCH

We have had the joy of founding and participating in the growth of many African local churches. They have changed and grown since their foundation and we are no longer the immediate leaders. They have evolved and so have we. We want to continue to be part of the local Churches and to serve them with humility, even if a certain tension between diocesan authorities and the living out of our charism persists. Putting our charism at the service of the local Church remains fundamental. The local Church is the place where we live our missionary charism. We benefit from their experience of Christian and pastoral life and they benefit from our charism, especially when we engage in diocesan priorities and in difficult places. We are known for being initiators and for our lifestyle.

In order to insert ourselves well into the local Church, it is necessary to stabilise our communities further, allowing their members to learn better the local language and the culture of the people we serve. We do not forget the vital contribution of our international and intercultural communities in living our charism and witness.

We conclude by quoting our confrere bishop Jan de Groef: “Missionaries should be part and parcel of the diocese, not apart from it”.

INTEGRITY OF MINISTRY

If there is one subject that is much talked about these days, it is the integrity of ministry. There is a growing awareness of the importance of insisting on transparency and authenticity in our finances, fidelity to our charism and in our relationships and friendships with those around us and with whom we collaborate. Living our missionary oath with all its components remains a deep motivation for us. An intense prayer life is always a source of inner strength. A healthy community life remains a good support. Transparency and authenticity make our witness and mission credible. Prevention is a priority in this area, as well as the welcoming of victims.

Our missionary society committed to achieving integrity in ministry. Confreres DPE (delegates for the protection of children and vulnerable persons) have been trained and have taken initiatives for awareness and prevention in their respective environments. Codes of conduct were put in place.

A large part of this ministry consists of assisting confreres in difficulty. The mission is sometimes very demanding (areas of insecurity and violence) and can cause burnouts and other difficulties. The society reaffirms its commitment to the care and health of its members.

Integrity of ministry is an integral part of our missionary charism.

TODAY, 3 JUNE 2022
FATHER PAWEL HULECKI
WAS ELECTED ASSISTANT GENERAL
OF THE SOCIETY OF MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA

Father Pawel Hulecki is from Poland and he came to participate in the Chapter in Rome as a representative of West Africa Province. He was in the parish of Korhogo in Ivory Coast. We congratulate him on his election to the General Council. We assure him of our prayers and friendship. May the Lord accompany him in his new responsibilities as he serves the same Lord and the same mission in another way.

Pawel Hulecki is elected assistant

Posted on by Philippe Docq

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

Posted on by Jean Lamonde

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.

Posted on by Philippe Docq
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.

Download here the announcement of Father Hans Peters’ death

(more…)

Anselme Tarpaga is elected assistant

Posted on by Philippe Docq

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

Posted on by Jean Lamonde

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

Posted on by Philippe Docq

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

Posted on by Jean Lamonde

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.