Evil and Meaningful Existence… by Bonaventure Gubazire Posted on 25/10/202125/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa AboboEvil and Meaningful Existence:A Humanistic Response through the Lens of Classical Theism.Bonaventure B. GubazireThis is an article written by our confrere, Bonaventure B. Gubazire, who is based at the Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Spiritan University of Ejisu in Ghana. This article is only available in English, but if you want to read it in another language, I recommend the very good online translation software DeepL (https://deepl.com)EVIL AND MEANINGFUL EXISTENCE
Mission Sunday Posted on 24/10/202124/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa AboboWorld Mission Sunday is the Holy Father’s annual appeal for spiritual and financial support so that the life-giving work of overseas mission and missionaries can continue. It always falls on the second last Sunday in October, meaning this year it will be celebrated on Sunday 24 October.This year’s theme ‘We Cannot Remain Silent – We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20)’ is twofold. It is a message of hope – Jesus Christ is risen and we cannot keep his love, compassion, and mercy to ourselves. It also challenges us to stand up and speak out on behalf of those who are weaker. All too often, the voices that need to be heard are not the loudest. For them, we cannot remain silent.Michael O’Sullivan, M.Afr. Chairperson of Missio Ireland, Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly SMA, Sister Kathleen McGarvey OLA and Fr Michael O'Sullivan, the national director for Missio Ireland. The Irish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies, formerly known as World Missions Ireland, is being rebranded today as Missio Ireland. The rebranding of the Pope's official charity for overseas mission takes place ahead of the annual collection on World Mission Sunday this weekend, which helps to fund the work of missionaries abroad.Catholic mission agencies appeal for help for the suffering
Synodality Posted on 18/10/202119/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa Abobo You said ... SYNODALITY ?It was in his mind for a long time, we read about it, talked about it, discussed about it… Now Pope Francis declared the process active. But are we clear about what is that Synod on Synodality ? Here is a selection of three videos, quite enlightening on the topic. The first one is proposed by the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar and AMECEA. Parts of it are in English, parts in French. The second one, dating back to 2018, is a documentary of the French Catholic channel KTO, which discusses very clearly the concept of Synodality. It is obviously in French. The third video is made by a famous British Catholic journalist and author, who presents also very clearly the mind of Pope Francis on the process of Synodality. And obviously, that video is in English. Pope Francis has inaugurated the path towards the Synod on #Synodality. “It is a process that involves the local Churches, in different phases and from the bottom up, in an exciting and engaging effort that can create a style of communion and participation directed to mission.” – Pope Francis To enrich our “journeying together” as the pilgrim and missionary People of God, the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) is partnering with the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) to provide resources that will enable the local churches, in the region and the entire Africa, to engage fruitfully and constructively in this synodal process. In this edition, we asked some African religious and youth what Synodality means for them.“La Foi prise au mot” proposes to evoke a theme that we would not have spoken of a few years ago and which is becoming more and more important in the Church: synodality. This is a traditional form of government in the Church, called for by the Second Vatican Council, and widely promoted by Pope Francis, with increasingly strong demands from the faithful, those who are sometimes called “grassroots Christians”. This is the theme that the Church’s theologians are currently discussing, while dioceses and their bishops are trying to put it into practice. So what is synodality? Why is it a topical issue? How does it correspond to the mission of the Church? To talk about this subject, Régis Burnet will welcome Arnaud Join-Lambert, theologian and professor at the Catholic University of Louvain, and Isabelle Morel, lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Paris and deputy director of the Institut supérieur de pastorale catéchétique. (“La Foi prise au Mot” of 18/11/2018.)Austen Ivereigh is a UK-based Roman Catholic journalist, author, commentator and biographer on Pope Francis. In this very good video, he explains and comments on Pope Francis’ vision for a synodal Church. (24 June 2021)
Celebration in Merrivale Posted on 15/10/202115/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa Abobo On the 2nd of October, Bishop Jan De Groef started his homily in our Chapel saying: ‘I guess this celebration was not intentionally planned to take place in October, month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in whose patronage we are placed’. Indeed, it was a blessing that our Formation House in Merivale, on that day, had an extraordinary celebration of the Missionary Oath and Diaconate Ordination of Peter Bwire, as well as the Ministry of Acolyte of Nine (09) of our brothers in the third year of theology.This ‘Acolytate’, which was supposed to have taken place earlier at the end of their 2nd year, was delayed because of the break out of the Corona pandemic since early 2020.‘Leaving their parents, friends, countries…, which should have repelled them, inspire them with fear, this is precisely what attracts them’: Mission in Africa and to the African World. It was a significant step, on this 2nd October, for our new acolytes in their journey to devoting themselves totally to this cause. As for Peter, he committed himself totally to serving God in the charism of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. Father Konrad, Sector Delegate of South Africa sector, received his Oath in the name of the General Council and of the Society at large.
Pre-cap PEP Posted on 15/10/202115/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Pre-cap PEPHere is a simplified report of the proceedings of the Province of Europe PreCapitular Assembly. PEP Pre-Cap Report E
Roger Labonté, R.I.P. Posted on 12/10/202112/10/2021 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 FatherRoger Labonté on Monday, 11th October 2021 in St. Petersburg (Florida – United States)at the age of 86 years, of which 60 years of missionary lifein Uganda, Great Britain, Jerusalem, Canada and the United States.Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.Download here the announcement of Father Roger Labonté (more…)
The Stakes of a General Chapter (PAO Baobab nr 38) Posted on 08/10/202108/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa Abobo The Stakes of a General ChapterBaobab nr 38 of september 2021 - EditorialSoon the pre-capitular assembly of our 29th General Chapter will meet in Bobo-Dioulasso. This is an important time in the life of our Society and in particular of our PAO Province. We will have to respond to the questionnaire sent by the General Council and which will be dealt with during this Assembly. Let us return to the importance of a General Chapter. (more…)
George Smith, R.I.P. Posted on 07/10/202108/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa Abobo Society of the Missionaries of AfricaFather Hugh Seenan, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Great Britain,informs you of the return to the Lord of FatherGeorge Smith on Monday 4th October, 2021 in Glasgow (Scotland – Great Britain)at the age of 82 years, of which 59 years of missionary lifein Tanzania, Canada, the Philippines and Great Britain.Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.Download here the announcement of Father George Smith’s death (more…)
News from some provinces Posted on 01/10/202101/10/2021 by Vitus Danaa AboboAs usual, it is the time chosen by some provinces to keep us aware of what’s going on in their mission. Province of EuropeFrench SectorBelgian Sector (in English)Province of East AfricaProvince of central Africa
Roger Bisson, R.I.P. Posted on 29/09/202129/09/2021 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 FatherRoger Bisson on Monday 27th September 2021 in St. Petersburg (Florida – USA)at the age of 94 years, of which 67 years of missionary lifein Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Togo-Dahomey, Madagascar and United States.Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.Download here the announcement of Father Roger Bisson’s death (more…)