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Newsletter
December 2006
Monthly newsletter of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus
MERRY CHRISTMAS
BLESSED NEW YEAR
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL NOTES (Consulta of October-November 2006)
Intercapitular
The General Council (GC) has made an evaluation of the Intercapitular Assembly, underlining both its positive aspects and its limits. The GC thanks all the participants for the work done, for the atmosphere of Comboni-like commitment, dialogue, openness and communion on the part of all.
Heartfelt thanks go to the Province of Mexico for welcoming and accommodating us with fraternal care and for their effort to offer us the assistance needed to smooth the progress of our work.
Minutes of the Intercapitular Assembly (IA)
The dossier with the minutes of the Intercapitular Assembly (IA) and the various appendixes is on the way. A printed copy has been sent to provincials and delegates and a CD with the text and photos will be sent to all the participants: the photos can be shared with the confreres.
The letter following the Intercapitular Assembly
The GC has prepared a letter listing and summarising the important issues discussed during the IA and presenting the goals set during this Consulta. The GC wishes that by means of this letter we further reflect on the issues discussed during the IA, so that we all start working to prepare the General Chapter 2009.
Continental meetings
The GC accepts the proposal of the IA to meet with provincials and delegates, at the earliest and at continental level, in order to discuss together important matters. By such meetings the GC wishes to begin together the journey towards the General Chapter 2009. Appreciating the fact that all provincials and delegates have agreed to have these meetings, the GC has set the dates and decided on the venues:
15 - 19 January 2007, Rome (Italy), French-speaking Africa;
29 January - 3 February 2007, Nairobi (Kenya), English-speaking Africa;
12 - 16 February 2007, Rome (Italy), Europe;
22 - 28 February 2007, São Paulo (Brazil), America and Asia.
The letter of the GC concerning these meetings, with suggestions for the topics to be dealt with and the methodology to be used, is on the way. We all hope that by carrying on the work together, the next General Chapter may give a new inspired drive to the Institute and to the Comboni Mission.
Appointments
Bro. Umberto Martinuzzo. In the Consulta of 31 October 2006, Bro. Umberto Martinuzzo, by secret vote, was elected Assistant General as from 1 January 2007. We congratulate him and thank him for having once again accepted this service. Heartfelt thanks go to Bro. Hernán Romero Arias who has reached his desired mission in Congo.
Fr. Josef Altenburger. The GC, confirming the results of the elections held in the province, on 8 November 2006 has appointed Fr. Josef Altenburger as Provincial Superior of the DSP. Fr. Josef will remain in office until 31 December 2007. While we congratulate Fr. Josef, we thank once again Fr. Anton Schneider for the service he has done in the last two years as Provincial of the DSP and pray that he may get well.
Fr. Renzo Piazza. In the session of the Consulta of 25 October 2006, the GC has approved the election of Fr. Renzo Piazza as Vice Provincial of Chad, which took place on 10 October 2006. Fr. Renzo, who will remain in office until 31 December 2007, takes the place of Fr. Navarrete Arceo Miguel who left Chad for a sabbatical year in Mexico.
Secretaries of the General Secretariats and those in charge of the offices of the Curia
Thanking sincerely all the confreres who are ending their service and those who have accepted to serve in the Curia of the Generalate, the GC has made the following appointments:
Fr. Umberto Pescantini (C) has been appointed Secretary General from 1 June 2007. He will take the place of Fr. Giuseppe Sandri whom we thank sincerely for his untiring work and generosity during the past years.
Fr. Aurelio Boscaini (T) is appointed ad interim Secretary of the General Secretariat for Mission Promotion and in charge of Comboni Press from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Umberto Pescantini and resumes those activities of Comboni Press that were suspended with the departure of Fr. Giovanni Battista Antonini.
Fr. Enrique Javier Rosich Vargas (C) has been appointed Secretary of the General Secretariat for Evangelisation from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Fernando Zolli. We thank Fr. Zolli for the great work he has done especially with regard to the Ratio Missionis.
Fr. Girolamo Miante (C) will carry on his service as Secretary of the General Secretariat for Vocation Promotion and Formation until 1 July 2007. The confrere who will take his place is in pectore and will be appointed soon.
Fr. Piergiorgio Prandina (C) has been appointed Archivist General from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Pietro Ravasio. We thank Fr. Ravasio for his great generosity and hidden work over many years.
Fr. Pietro Ravasio (C) has been appointed Librarian of the Generalate Library as from 1 March 2007. Fr. Ravasio has been given the mandate to bring the library back to its original purpose of being a Comboni and missionary library.
Fr. Fausto Beretta has been appointed Superior of the Community of Priests/Brothers Students at the Generalate from 1 December 2006.
N.B. It was our intention to further “internationalise” the community of the Curia, but it has now become something of a miraculous achievement to manage to find and assign confreres to certain tasks.
Code of Conduct
The GC thanks the commission ad hoc for the document “Holy and capable: orientations for the ministry and fraternal care of persons in special situations”. Having received the unanimous approval of the IA, the GC has decided to go ahead with the preparation and approval of the final text of the document.
After a last revision and further language refinement of the Italian text, the GC will have the document translated into the other two official languages of the Institute (English and Spanish), trusting that it will eventually be translated also into the other spoken languages of the Institute. The GC has decided to include in the document a declaration, to be signed by each confrere, by which he accepts the contents and the goals of the document. Each circumscription will have to adapt the document according to its own ecclesial and civil requirements.
Ratio Missionis
The process of the Ratio Missionis (RM) must continue and must accompany us towards the ordinary and special General Chapter 2009. In the meeting in Madrid (27 November - 3 December 2006) the ad hoc commission, namely the core and enlarged commissions, will revise the document on the RM presented at the IA, taking into account the observations and suggestions voiced during the same Assembly and enriching it with the comments and contributions that came from each continent. They will also plan on how to implement the next phase of this process in view of the General Chapter 2009.
Finances
Common Fund
The IA has confirmed the necessity of implementing the Total Common Fund, to strengthen solidarity among the circumscriptions and to promote the idea that “mission is also sharing of goods”.
Inalienable Assets
In the context of the planning discussed during the IA, the GC, by letter, will ask the circumscriptions to select those immovable goods (real estate properties) that are to be recognized as Inalienable Assets and will also suggest guidelines for making such a selection.
Visits and travels of the members of the General Council
Fr. Teresino Serra has had to cancel his planned visits to the Province of Central Africa and the Province of Chad for health reasons.
Fr. Fabio Carlo Baldan in December 2006 will visit Juba and possibly other communities of Southern Sudan.
Fr. Odelir José Magri from 2 December 2006 to 8 January 2007 will be in Brazil for his home leave.
Fr. Tesfamariam Ghebrecristos Woldeghebriel in December and January will be in Rome.
General Secretariat
Thanks and good wishes
The Secretary General, Fr. Giuseppe Sandri, his assistant, Fr. Enrico Redaelli, and their secretary, Mrs. Giannina Di Paolo, wish all the confreres a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. They wholeheartedly thank all the confreres for their collaboration, especially the provincials and delegates, the provincial and delegation secretaries and all those who have so generously assisted the general secretariat with their help and translations.
Prayer intentions of the Comboni Family 2007
All provincials, delegates and some communities should have already received the copies of the Prayer Intentions of the Comboni Family 2007 for the confreres of their province, delegation or community.
The provincials or delegates who have not yet received them by 15 December 2006, are kindly requested to notify the Secretary General, who will at least send them a copy of the prayers by e-mail.
In Pace Christi 2007
During the months of January and February, the General Council will meet with all the provincials and delegates. We thought it better not to send the booklet In Pace Christi 2007 (our deceased confreres) by post, but to give it directly to them on the occasion of such meetings.
Anyone who prefers to receive the booklet by post, should inform the Secretary General straight away.
Perpetual professions
Sc. Güemez Hernández Adán (M) Lima (PE) 28.10.2006
Sc. Makokha Titus Henry (KE) Lima (PE) 28.10.2006
Sc. Mboka Ngere Faustin (CN) Pietermaritzburg (RSA) 26.11.2006
Priestly ordinations
Fr. Chanda Isaac Chabu (MZ) Kabwe (Z) 11.11.2006
Holy Redeemer Guild
December 01 – 15 U 15 – 31 CN
January 01 – 07 A 08 – 15 C 16 – 31 BNE
Prayer Intentions
December - For the Comboni Missionary Sisters, that following the example of Our Lady, their consecration may confirm them in motherly love for the regeneration of the weakest and most afflicted. Let us pray.
January - That the Inter-assembly of the Secular Comboni Missionaries may be experienced as a time of grace to renew the aims proposed by the General Assembly and to strengthen the process of reorganising the Institute. Let us pray.
ASIA
Comboni presence in the south of the Philippines
As foreseen in the delegation’s Six Year Plan, the past year has seen some important, even if modest, steps towards establishing a presence of the Comboni Missionaries in the southern part of the Philippines.
After various exploratory visits to consider the possible location of this presence, which has as its primary focus the consolidation of the ministry of mission and vocation promotion that characterizes the Institute’s presence in the Philippines, two confreres (Fr. Miguel Angel Llamazares González and Fr. Gerardo Antonio Díaz Jiménez) in late 2005 began to study Cebuano at the language centre run by the Maryknoll Missionaries in the city of Davao. The early months of 2006, then, saw them practicing the language in two large parishes in Cebu itself, an experience which led to the decision that they should return to Cebu last July to begin their work proper.
Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, extended a warm welcome to the two confreres, sending a letter to all his parish priests in which he himself introduced them by saying that the two missionaries “have been sent by their Institute here in the Archdiocese of Cebu to do the works of mission and vocation promotion... Please be informed that they will be going around in the different parishes here in Cebu to discuss the nature of their mission. While I am thanking you in advance for your collaboration, I wish to entrust them to your hospitality and warm welcome” (Letter of July 24, 2006).
Although our presence is still in its infancy, there are various positive developments, such as the willingness of the parish priests to welcome the confreres to their communities each Sunday to promote mission awareness and to present our “World Mission” Magazine, the beginnings of a small group of collaborators who help the confreres in these activities, the placing of the magazine and other mission awareness material in the Catholic bookshops of the city and the involvement of other communities of religious in promoting “World Mission” both in Cebu and further a field.
An initiative, much appreciated by the local clergy, is the weekly outline for a mission-orientated homily based on the Sunday readings. The outline is prepared by our confreres and made available on the website: www.cebuanohomilya.blogspot.com
CENTRAFRIQUE
Forty years of Comboni presence
In order to mark the fortieth anniversary of the arrival of the Comboni Missionaries in Central Africa in 1966, we availed ourselves of the feast of 10 October to solemnly celebrate the 125th anniversary of the birth of our Father and Founder St. Daniel Comboni.
In the morning, the MCCJ and the CMS present in Bangui came together at Maison Comboni to reflect upon a meditation by Fr. Benedetto Giupponi. The moment of prayer was concluded with a holy hour in the chapel dedicated to St. Daniel Comboni.
At midday everyone, including ten MCCJ and three CMS postulants, shared a special meal.
At 5:30 p.m., a meeting was held at the Comboni parish of Notre Dame de Fatima, Bangui, with the presentation of a DVD on the works of St. Daniel Comboni. At 6:00 p.m., the solemn celebration of the Eucharist took place, presided by the parish priest, Fr. Gabriele Perobelli MCCJ. The hymns were sung by the choir of the parish with the participation of a group of women dancers and numerous faithful.
We hope that this anniversary leaves both ourselves and the people with happy memories, especially at this time when we hear of many negative reports regarding the political and economic situation in Central Africa.
CONGO
What is happening
The most important recent event have certainly been the presidential, parliamentary and local elections. It is widely felt that the history of the Congo is at a crossroads.
People showed deep awareness of their dignity, a deep longing for freedom and the desire to put an end to the recurring changes of government that have done nothing but prolong social instability and corruption. During the election campaign there has been little possibilities for the political parties to present their manifestos. The emphasis has been on the presidential election, relegating the election of national and provincial representatives to second place.
Generally speaking, the elections went well, in spite of some irregularities.
Given the situation, changes do not come easy in the Congo, as the country is very large and on account of the wrong attitude that has taken root among the people. The latter will be for us an area of first evangelisation.
The most pressing challenges are the acceptance by all of the electoral results, governing a destabilised country, controlling the soldiers so that they do not cause widespread insecurity, paying a just wage to civil servants, teachers and the soldiers as a first step towards ending corruption, reconciling and restoring peace at all levels, both in the hearts of those people wounded by violence and among the many regional and ethnic groups.
We believe that this service of the truth is a true missionary challenge that requires commitment by all to find ways and means leading to reconciliation and unity, even within the Church, whose members have been divided up to now and even in conflict with one another.
Meeting of vocations promoters and formators
During October, after the perpetual vows and ordination to the diaconate of two scholastics, one from Peru and the other from Costarica, there was a meeting of all those involved in vocations ministry and basic formation in the province.
The aim of the meeting was to share experiences, promote unity of action and grow to know better the rapidly changing situation of the youth, which is not always easy to understand.
This sharing has helped us to deal in a better way with the needs of the youth and to suggest for them a better focused formation.
Meeting of local superiors
After the formators’ meeting, also the meeting of the local superiors of our communities and of the members of the provincial council, the first after many years, was held in Kinshasa.
Sixteen confreres took part and dealt with the service of authority: the joys and difficulties of this service, the aim, the spirituality and some of the methods to implement it. The meeting was also an opportunity to review the different aspects of the life of the province.
CURIA
Fr. Giuseppe Frigerio returns to Uganda
Fr. Giuseppe Frigerio came to the Curia in 1996 as private secretary to the Superior General, a task which he carried out well until 2003, even though he suffered serious health problems in the latter years. Once he recovered, he lovingly assisted his only sister who died in December 2004.
Fr. Giuseppe continued to work in the Curia helping the secretary general, being in taking charge of printing and skilfully looking after the building and the equipment of the Generalate. He has now been assigned to Uganda, where he is due to arrive on 10 January 2007 after a holiday at home.
Besides being an excellent secretary, a thorough proof-reader and a great priest and missionary, Fr. Giuseppe is very skilled in carpentry and different maintenance jobs. His presence in the community has always been a sign of communion, brotherhood, availability and commitment. All the confreres of the community of the Curia wish to thank him sincerely and pray that God may bless him with many years of fruitful service in the new task that awaits him in Kampala.
DSP
Fr. Josef Altenburger elected new Provincial Superior
Fr. Josef Altenburger is the new provincial of the DSP. After his predecessor, Fr. Anton Schneider, had to withdraw from office because of illness, the elections required by the Rule of Life were held. Fr. Altenburger obtained the required majority after the straw ballot and two rounds of balloting. On 8 November 2006 the General Council appointed him to the office which will last till the end of 2007. Before being appointed provincial, Fr. Altenburger was in charge of the Innsbruck scholasticate.
Reopening of the historical house at Brixen-Milland
After 18 months of work and many unexpected construction problems, the house in Brixen-Milland was finally re-opened and blessed on 4 November 2006. It has really been transformed into a beautiful building which, if it could speak, would tell a lot about our history. Fr. Fabio Carlo Baldan, Fr. Odelir José Magri, Fr. Tesfamariam Ghebrecristos Woldeghebriel and Fr. Giuseppe Sandri of the General Administration, a number of confreres from Verona, the scholastics from Innsbruck and the new provincial, Fr. Josef Altenburger, came together to celebrate the event with the community of Milland and contributed to the joyful occasion with their music and songs. Among the invited guests were a number of dignitaries such as the local bishop Mons. Wilhelm Egger, his vicar general and the artist Adolf Bachler, responsible for the artwork in the new chapel. Among the guests were also the head of the provincial government of the Autonomous Province of Bozen and the mayor of Brixen, as well as representatives of the companies who had been involved in the renovation
In their addresses, the architect, the head of the provincial government, the mayor and the provincial of the DSP underlined the missionary importance of this house and of the Comboni community in South Tyrol.
Bought in 1895 and used since then, the house in Milland was the first Comboni house of the DSP, for which province, and for the whole Institute, it corresponds to what the Mother House in Verona represents for the Italian province. As a matter of fact, it has always been a bridge between the two cultures (German and Italian) and the two MCCJ provinces. The speakers also pointed out that the oldest part of the restructured building, now a section of the wall that is the remnant of a thousand-year-old Romanic fortification, has been part of the cultural heritage of the city.
The provincial took the opportunity to thank the architect Dr. Christian Mahlknecht, Heinrich Ferretti, the manager of the reconstruction work, Bro. Bernhard Hengl (provincial treasurer) who nearly every weekend travelled from Ellwangen to Brixen, Bro. Konrad Tremmel, always present at the site, and the superior of the community, Fr. Silvester Engl, who had initiated the process of restoration when he was the provincial. Now Milland is a truly welcoming place for confreres coming back from the mission and who wish to spend there some time to rest. There is even the possibility to rent rooms for other people as well.
The wish of the confreres of Milland is to continue to proclaim the missionary message to the people of South Tyrol.
General Assembly of the Comboni Lay Missionaries
From 6 to 12 November 2006 representatives of the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) worldwide held their 4th General Assembly at Ellwangen-Josefstal. In attendance were 18 CLM, 18 MCCJ and 2 CMS. Reports from the various CLM stressed that, having being founded in different mccj provinces, they have been influenced by various national, social, cultural and ecclesial backgrounds.
These differences are a great challenge for the integration of the CLM groups. Former meetings already yielded a definition of the CLM: they must be Comboni-like, they are to live and act as Christian laypeople and to be missionaries as well. Other issues, such as their identity, formation and finances, have already been discussed during past assemblies.
In this Assembly, issues of identity, belonging, formation and financial autonomy were further clarified. Reciprocal knowledge between the various CLM groups as well as between the CLM and the rest of the Comboni Family was seen as something very important, calling for networking and structures of information.
During the discussion it became clear that, rather than to assimilate the various CLM groups, it was advisable to accept and accommodate their national differences. It was also agreed that missionary commitment could take place either in one’s own country of origin (whichever this happened to be: Congo, Uganda, Brazil...) or abroad.
At the end of an enriching "multicultural week", a new central committee was elected. Its four members are: Fr. Umberto Pescantini, Mr. Alberto de la Portilla (CLM Spain), Mrs. Gloria Moráles Hernández (CLM México) and Fr. Günther Hofmann (the confrere responsible of the CLM in the DSP).
ECUADOR
Afro pastoral in Guayaquil
On 8 October, in the parish of “San Daniele Comboni”, Guayaquil, the Archbishop of the city, Mgr. Antonio Arregui, celebrated a Mass during which he officially approved the Statute of the “Confraternity of the Comboni Lay Missionary in Ecuador, men and women”. Very importantly, this gave due recognition to the Afro pastoral work in Guayaquil and all of Ecuador.
The Afro Missionaries are lay-people who feel called to commit themselves to the evangelisation of the Afro people, starting from their spirituality, feelings and culture. As they themselves say: “We are men and women called by God to be the presence of the Black Lord Jesus in society and in the Church. We are the response of God to our forsaken black people and the fulfilment of the dream of Daniel Comboni to save blacks through the blacks themselves”.
The Afro Missionaries announce the Gospel to the Afro people and to the whole of society in those places and situations in which they find themselves. In their Statute they give priority to “giving value to the experience which the black people have of God and promote inculturated spirituality, respecting the religiosity and specific culture of the Afro people.”
In his letter of approval of the Statute of this confraternity, Mgr. Arregui writes: “Bearing in mind that the spirituality of the Statute is based upon the apostolic and missionary spirit of St. Daniel Comboni, totally dedicated to the evangelisation of the black people by means of the same black people, and that this confraternity has the help of the Comboni Missionaries in Ecuador, I approve the Statute by which the members of that confraternity govern themselves and appeal to them to faithfully abide by the Statute in the accomplishment of their holy and noble purpose to the benefit of the beloved Afro people of Ecuador”.
All the Afro missionaries of Guayaquil and two missionaries from Chota were present at the Mass.
We place this Statute in the hands of Our Lord so that He may help the CLM to open up new horizons of inculturated evangelisation among the Afro people of Ecuador.
EGYPT
Workshop of ACUHIAM
From 8 to 10 November, Fr. John Richard Kyankaaga Ssendawula attended a Workshop of the Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM) in Nairobi, organized by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa which is currently holding the presidency. The association brings together all Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes in Africa and Madagascar which are under the Congregation of the Holy See for Catholic Education.
The general theme of the workshop was “Academic links within ACUHIAM”. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive framework for academic collaboration among the institutions’ members of the organisation.
The workshop discussed and suggested different ways of collaboration in research, academic links and high standards. At the end of the workshop, a plan of action and a framework on how to implement it were decided upon.
Participants came from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Madagascar.
KENYA
Comboni Day at Nakwamekwi
The tenth of October is the liturgical feast of St. Daniel Comboni. It is not just a feast for the Comboni Missionaries, but for all of us in Central and Eastern Africa, because even Turkana was part of his Vicariate. Comboni was, then, the first Bishop of Turkana.
It is now a tradition to celebrate this feast solemnly in The Risen Christ Parish at Nakwamekwi, with a concelebration presided by the bishop himself.
Every year we prepare something special, a kind of gift to offer to Comboni, something to show that we are continuing the work he started.
Last year we blessed the new “Multi-purpose Comboni Parish Hall” and celebrated eight marriages. This year we blessed the new “Comboni Girls Primary Boarding School” and celebrated 27 marriages. They were supposed to be 35, but eight couples dropped out in the last two weeks for various reasons. Surely 27 marriages, and all in one day, is something very exceptional, especially here in Turkana.
How did we manage? First of all we had a full year campaign. In our Parish Pastoral Plan it was decided to make the sacrament of marriage the top priority for the year 2006, involving the Jumuiyas (communities) and the outstations. The catechists were fully involved in this work.
We organised seminars and workshops on the sacrament of marriage. Many of our Christian couples are not receiving the sacraments of reconciliation and of Holy Communion, because they are living together without being properly married in the Church. Without Holy Communion it is impossible to be good Christians.
We also intend to build the local Church on solid foundations, that is “on the rock”. This rock is neither the parish church, nor the outstations, nor the Jumuiyas, but it is the “domestic Church”, the “Christian family”.
At first we met with a lot of scepticism and objections: Polygamy is still very common in Turkana; traditional dowry has to be paid for the stability of marriage; marriage in church is very expensive and people cannot afford it, etc.
The first thing we stressed was that in Nakwamekwi there would not be any “mardadi” (pompous) marriages. All that is required is the consent expressed by the couple in front of the priest in the presence of two witnesses. All the rest is not necessary and a waste of money, leaving the newly married couple with a lot of debts.
By following this policy, marriage became easier than we imagined.
Things are now changing even in Turkana: The dowry is no longer a ‘must’, as long as there is mutual agreement between the two clans involved; in the past it was the woman (wife) who pretended a high dowry, because the original family was more important than the acquired one; it was also discovered that there were more monogamous families than we thought.
The catechesis stressed that the sacrament of marriage was not an imposition from God or from the Church, but a special help that God wanted to give to the Christian couples, so that they would be able to overcome the difficulties that are encountered in family life, that every sacrament was a sign of Jesus Himself who came to us and accompanied us in our journey.
Now we have also men coming for Holy Communion and participating fully in all the activities of the Jumuiyas. (Fr. Raphael Cefalo)
PERU-CHILE
Meeting with the friends of the Comboni Missionaries
On 27 October, in preparation of the mission month and of the remembrance day of our deceased, the relatives, friends and benefactors of the community of Santiago de Chile were invited to a celebration in honour of St. Daniel Comboni. The Mass, which was celebrated at the church of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, situated in front of our house in “Calle Compañía”, was attended by about 90 people who, in this way, showed the affection and friendship they have for us.
Afterwards, those present viewed a display presenting our work and shared a light refreshment prepared for the occasion.
Celebration for Deceased Missionaries
On 2 November, as in previous years, the members of the community of Lima met at the chapel of the British Cemetery, where lie the mortal remains of nine of our deceased confreres, to celebrate a Mass in their memory.
There are already 29 confreres of the province, including the recently deceased Bro. Nino Mores, who now see the face of the Father. Fr. Rogelio Bustos Juárez, who presided, encouraged us to live the occasion both as an event we desired and for which we came together, like the women at the sepulchre, and also as an occasion to go out to proclaim that Jesus Christ is no longer in the tomb, but is to be found living and present on the paths of this world and in the hearts of our neighbour. As we remember our dead, we do so with gratitude for the years of service which they gave to us.
We thank our students, the Sisters and the Lay Comboni Missionaries for being with us.
UGANDA
Episcopal consecration of Mgr. Sabino Ocan Odoki
On 22 October 2006 in the presence of almost all the bishops of Uganda and a large crowd of faithful, the archbishop of Gulu, Mgr. John Baptist Odama, ordained Mgr. Sabino Ocan Odoki, auxiliary bishop of Gulu.
Present at the celebration was Fr. Vittorio Albertini who had baptised Sabino and followed him while in the minor seminary. His ordination testifies to the great work done by many Comboni Missionaries who gave their life for the Church of Gulu.
On the same day president Yoveri Museveni, to foster the peace process in Juba, meet with the leaders of the LRA. Mgr. Odama linked the ordination of Mgr. Sabino to the peace process, which had been so much desired and promoted by the religious leaders of the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader.
15th anniversary of Fr. William Nyadru’s death
The anniversary of Fr. William Nyadru’s death was solemnly celebrated in the parish of Morulem on 25 October 2006, the place where he was serving when he was killed. The celebration was organised by the people themselves and it was attended by a huge crowd, in spite of the fact that the anniversary fell on a working day. His memory is still alive and a source of inspiration for many.
50th anniversary of the “Leadership” magazine
With a reception at Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala Hall, Christ the King Church in Kampala, on 28 October 2006 a selected gathering of ministers, journalists, priests and friends attended the celebration for the 50th anniversary of “Leadership” magazine.
The guest of honour was the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pierre Christophe, who praised “Leadership” and the Catholic media for their role in being faithful servants of information and communication, but above all for spreading the news that is Good News and is embodied into the life of the people and of society. He praised Fr. José Carlos Rodríguez Soto who, as a journalist, had made known to the world the tragic situation of the people in the refugees camps of Northern Uganda.
The provincial, Fr. Giuseppe Filippi, gave a brief account of the history of “Leadership” from the beginning, when Fr. Tarcisio Agostoni started it as an instrument for the formation of Christian leaders in the social and political field and to prepare for the independence of Uganda. He then went on to speak of the importance of the magazine in keeping alive the right of freedom of speech during the dark years of Idi Amin’s dictatorship. The magazine reached its highest number of printed copies, nearly 40.000, during the period of great instability (1979-1986), when independent newspapers ceased to be published in Uganda. The provincial praised and thanked the various editors who worked in the magazine, the Comboni Sisters, the Daughters of St Paul and all those who have contributed to its 50 years of success.
Fr. Carlos, the present editor, shared his experience as a journalist and as a priest: the two professions go well together, as they can both serve the Good News and the people. Best wishes to “Leadership”!
IN PACE CHRISTI
Fr. Francesco Cioffi (15.01.1935 – 02.11.2006)
Fr. Paolo Ottolini (29.06.1932 – 09.11.2006)
Bro. Nino Mores (18.06.1936 – 10.11.2006)
Let us pray for our beloved dead
THE FATHER: Bernardino, of Fr. Ivo Martins do Vale (ET) and Fr. José Augusto do Vale (†); Guido, of Fr. Mario Andrighetto (I).
THE BROTHER: Manuel Nina, of Fr. José Carlos Mendes da Costa (MO); Antonio, of Fr. Francesco Chemello (SS).
THE SISTER: Argentina, of Fr. Aristide Guerra (ER).
THE COMBONI MISSIONARY SISTERS: Sr. M. Verina Bellei; Sr. Massimilla Canzi; Sr. Rosa Maria Sometti.
Website: Visit our website at: http://comboni.org
BLESSED NEW YEAR
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL NOTES (Consulta of October-November 2006)
Intercapitular
The General Council (GC) has made an evaluation of the Intercapitular Assembly, underlining both its positive aspects and its limits. The GC thanks all the participants for the work done, for the atmosphere of Comboni-like commitment, dialogue, openness and communion on the part of all.
Heartfelt thanks go to the Province of Mexico for welcoming and accommodating us with fraternal care and for their effort to offer us the assistance needed to smooth the progress of our work.
Minutes of the Intercapitular Assembly (IA)
The dossier with the minutes of the Intercapitular Assembly (IA) and the various appendixes is on the way. A printed copy has been sent to provincials and delegates and a CD with the text and photos will be sent to all the participants: the photos can be shared with the confreres.
The letter following the Intercapitular Assembly
The GC has prepared a letter listing and summarising the important issues discussed during the IA and presenting the goals set during this Consulta. The GC wishes that by means of this letter we further reflect on the issues discussed during the IA, so that we all start working to prepare the General Chapter 2009.
Continental meetings
The GC accepts the proposal of the IA to meet with provincials and delegates, at the earliest and at continental level, in order to discuss together important matters. By such meetings the GC wishes to begin together the journey towards the General Chapter 2009. Appreciating the fact that all provincials and delegates have agreed to have these meetings, the GC has set the dates and decided on the venues:
15 - 19 January 2007, Rome (Italy), French-speaking Africa;
29 January - 3 February 2007, Nairobi (Kenya), English-speaking Africa;
12 - 16 February 2007, Rome (Italy), Europe;
22 - 28 February 2007, São Paulo (Brazil), America and Asia.
The letter of the GC concerning these meetings, with suggestions for the topics to be dealt with and the methodology to be used, is on the way. We all hope that by carrying on the work together, the next General Chapter may give a new inspired drive to the Institute and to the Comboni Mission.
Appointments
Bro. Umberto Martinuzzo. In the Consulta of 31 October 2006, Bro. Umberto Martinuzzo, by secret vote, was elected Assistant General as from 1 January 2007. We congratulate him and thank him for having once again accepted this service. Heartfelt thanks go to Bro. Hernán Romero Arias who has reached his desired mission in Congo.
Fr. Josef Altenburger. The GC, confirming the results of the elections held in the province, on 8 November 2006 has appointed Fr. Josef Altenburger as Provincial Superior of the DSP. Fr. Josef will remain in office until 31 December 2007. While we congratulate Fr. Josef, we thank once again Fr. Anton Schneider for the service he has done in the last two years as Provincial of the DSP and pray that he may get well.
Fr. Renzo Piazza. In the session of the Consulta of 25 October 2006, the GC has approved the election of Fr. Renzo Piazza as Vice Provincial of Chad, which took place on 10 October 2006. Fr. Renzo, who will remain in office until 31 December 2007, takes the place of Fr. Navarrete Arceo Miguel who left Chad for a sabbatical year in Mexico.
Secretaries of the General Secretariats and those in charge of the offices of the Curia
Thanking sincerely all the confreres who are ending their service and those who have accepted to serve in the Curia of the Generalate, the GC has made the following appointments:
Fr. Umberto Pescantini (C) has been appointed Secretary General from 1 June 2007. He will take the place of Fr. Giuseppe Sandri whom we thank sincerely for his untiring work and generosity during the past years.
Fr. Aurelio Boscaini (T) is appointed ad interim Secretary of the General Secretariat for Mission Promotion and in charge of Comboni Press from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Umberto Pescantini and resumes those activities of Comboni Press that were suspended with the departure of Fr. Giovanni Battista Antonini.
Fr. Enrique Javier Rosich Vargas (C) has been appointed Secretary of the General Secretariat for Evangelisation from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Fernando Zolli. We thank Fr. Zolli for the great work he has done especially with regard to the Ratio Missionis.
Fr. Girolamo Miante (C) will carry on his service as Secretary of the General Secretariat for Vocation Promotion and Formation until 1 July 2007. The confrere who will take his place is in pectore and will be appointed soon.
Fr. Piergiorgio Prandina (C) has been appointed Archivist General from 1 March 2007. He takes the place of Fr. Pietro Ravasio. We thank Fr. Ravasio for his great generosity and hidden work over many years.
Fr. Pietro Ravasio (C) has been appointed Librarian of the Generalate Library as from 1 March 2007. Fr. Ravasio has been given the mandate to bring the library back to its original purpose of being a Comboni and missionary library.
Fr. Fausto Beretta has been appointed Superior of the Community of Priests/Brothers Students at the Generalate from 1 December 2006.
N.B. It was our intention to further “internationalise” the community of the Curia, but it has now become something of a miraculous achievement to manage to find and assign confreres to certain tasks.
Code of Conduct
The GC thanks the commission ad hoc for the document “Holy and capable: orientations for the ministry and fraternal care of persons in special situations”. Having received the unanimous approval of the IA, the GC has decided to go ahead with the preparation and approval of the final text of the document.
After a last revision and further language refinement of the Italian text, the GC will have the document translated into the other two official languages of the Institute (English and Spanish), trusting that it will eventually be translated also into the other spoken languages of the Institute. The GC has decided to include in the document a declaration, to be signed by each confrere, by which he accepts the contents and the goals of the document. Each circumscription will have to adapt the document according to its own ecclesial and civil requirements.
Ratio Missionis
The process of the Ratio Missionis (RM) must continue and must accompany us towards the ordinary and special General Chapter 2009. In the meeting in Madrid (27 November - 3 December 2006) the ad hoc commission, namely the core and enlarged commissions, will revise the document on the RM presented at the IA, taking into account the observations and suggestions voiced during the same Assembly and enriching it with the comments and contributions that came from each continent. They will also plan on how to implement the next phase of this process in view of the General Chapter 2009.
Finances
Common Fund
The IA has confirmed the necessity of implementing the Total Common Fund, to strengthen solidarity among the circumscriptions and to promote the idea that “mission is also sharing of goods”.
Inalienable Assets
In the context of the planning discussed during the IA, the GC, by letter, will ask the circumscriptions to select those immovable goods (real estate properties) that are to be recognized as Inalienable Assets and will also suggest guidelines for making such a selection.
Visits and travels of the members of the General Council
Fr. Teresino Serra has had to cancel his planned visits to the Province of Central Africa and the Province of Chad for health reasons.
Fr. Fabio Carlo Baldan in December 2006 will visit Juba and possibly other communities of Southern Sudan.
Fr. Odelir José Magri from 2 December 2006 to 8 January 2007 will be in Brazil for his home leave.
Fr. Tesfamariam Ghebrecristos Woldeghebriel in December and January will be in Rome.
General Secretariat
Thanks and good wishes
The Secretary General, Fr. Giuseppe Sandri, his assistant, Fr. Enrico Redaelli, and their secretary, Mrs. Giannina Di Paolo, wish all the confreres a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. They wholeheartedly thank all the confreres for their collaboration, especially the provincials and delegates, the provincial and delegation secretaries and all those who have so generously assisted the general secretariat with their help and translations.
Prayer intentions of the Comboni Family 2007
All provincials, delegates and some communities should have already received the copies of the Prayer Intentions of the Comboni Family 2007 for the confreres of their province, delegation or community.
The provincials or delegates who have not yet received them by 15 December 2006, are kindly requested to notify the Secretary General, who will at least send them a copy of the prayers by e-mail.
In Pace Christi 2007
During the months of January and February, the General Council will meet with all the provincials and delegates. We thought it better not to send the booklet In Pace Christi 2007 (our deceased confreres) by post, but to give it directly to them on the occasion of such meetings.
Anyone who prefers to receive the booklet by post, should inform the Secretary General straight away.
Perpetual professions
Sc. Güemez Hernández Adán (M) Lima (PE) 28.10.2006
Sc. Makokha Titus Henry (KE) Lima (PE) 28.10.2006
Sc. Mboka Ngere Faustin (CN) Pietermaritzburg (RSA) 26.11.2006
Priestly ordinations
Fr. Chanda Isaac Chabu (MZ) Kabwe (Z) 11.11.2006
Holy Redeemer Guild
December 01 – 15 U 15 – 31 CN
January 01 – 07 A 08 – 15 C 16 – 31 BNE
Prayer Intentions
December - For the Comboni Missionary Sisters, that following the example of Our Lady, their consecration may confirm them in motherly love for the regeneration of the weakest and most afflicted. Let us pray.
January - That the Inter-assembly of the Secular Comboni Missionaries may be experienced as a time of grace to renew the aims proposed by the General Assembly and to strengthen the process of reorganising the Institute. Let us pray.
ASIA
Comboni presence in the south of the Philippines
As foreseen in the delegation’s Six Year Plan, the past year has seen some important, even if modest, steps towards establishing a presence of the Comboni Missionaries in the southern part of the Philippines.
After various exploratory visits to consider the possible location of this presence, which has as its primary focus the consolidation of the ministry of mission and vocation promotion that characterizes the Institute’s presence in the Philippines, two confreres (Fr. Miguel Angel Llamazares González and Fr. Gerardo Antonio Díaz Jiménez) in late 2005 began to study Cebuano at the language centre run by the Maryknoll Missionaries in the city of Davao. The early months of 2006, then, saw them practicing the language in two large parishes in Cebu itself, an experience which led to the decision that they should return to Cebu last July to begin their work proper.
Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, extended a warm welcome to the two confreres, sending a letter to all his parish priests in which he himself introduced them by saying that the two missionaries “have been sent by their Institute here in the Archdiocese of Cebu to do the works of mission and vocation promotion... Please be informed that they will be going around in the different parishes here in Cebu to discuss the nature of their mission. While I am thanking you in advance for your collaboration, I wish to entrust them to your hospitality and warm welcome” (Letter of July 24, 2006).
Although our presence is still in its infancy, there are various positive developments, such as the willingness of the parish priests to welcome the confreres to their communities each Sunday to promote mission awareness and to present our “World Mission” Magazine, the beginnings of a small group of collaborators who help the confreres in these activities, the placing of the magazine and other mission awareness material in the Catholic bookshops of the city and the involvement of other communities of religious in promoting “World Mission” both in Cebu and further a field.
An initiative, much appreciated by the local clergy, is the weekly outline for a mission-orientated homily based on the Sunday readings. The outline is prepared by our confreres and made available on the website: www.cebuanohomilya.blogspot.com
CENTRAFRIQUE
Forty years of Comboni presence
In order to mark the fortieth anniversary of the arrival of the Comboni Missionaries in Central Africa in 1966, we availed ourselves of the feast of 10 October to solemnly celebrate the 125th anniversary of the birth of our Father and Founder St. Daniel Comboni.
In the morning, the MCCJ and the CMS present in Bangui came together at Maison Comboni to reflect upon a meditation by Fr. Benedetto Giupponi. The moment of prayer was concluded with a holy hour in the chapel dedicated to St. Daniel Comboni.
At midday everyone, including ten MCCJ and three CMS postulants, shared a special meal.
At 5:30 p.m., a meeting was held at the Comboni parish of Notre Dame de Fatima, Bangui, with the presentation of a DVD on the works of St. Daniel Comboni. At 6:00 p.m., the solemn celebration of the Eucharist took place, presided by the parish priest, Fr. Gabriele Perobelli MCCJ. The hymns were sung by the choir of the parish with the participation of a group of women dancers and numerous faithful.
We hope that this anniversary leaves both ourselves and the people with happy memories, especially at this time when we hear of many negative reports regarding the political and economic situation in Central Africa.
CONGO
What is happening
The most important recent event have certainly been the presidential, parliamentary and local elections. It is widely felt that the history of the Congo is at a crossroads.
People showed deep awareness of their dignity, a deep longing for freedom and the desire to put an end to the recurring changes of government that have done nothing but prolong social instability and corruption. During the election campaign there has been little possibilities for the political parties to present their manifestos. The emphasis has been on the presidential election, relegating the election of national and provincial representatives to second place.
Generally speaking, the elections went well, in spite of some irregularities.
Given the situation, changes do not come easy in the Congo, as the country is very large and on account of the wrong attitude that has taken root among the people. The latter will be for us an area of first evangelisation.
The most pressing challenges are the acceptance by all of the electoral results, governing a destabilised country, controlling the soldiers so that they do not cause widespread insecurity, paying a just wage to civil servants, teachers and the soldiers as a first step towards ending corruption, reconciling and restoring peace at all levels, both in the hearts of those people wounded by violence and among the many regional and ethnic groups.
We believe that this service of the truth is a true missionary challenge that requires commitment by all to find ways and means leading to reconciliation and unity, even within the Church, whose members have been divided up to now and even in conflict with one another.
Meeting of vocations promoters and formators
During October, after the perpetual vows and ordination to the diaconate of two scholastics, one from Peru and the other from Costarica, there was a meeting of all those involved in vocations ministry and basic formation in the province.
The aim of the meeting was to share experiences, promote unity of action and grow to know better the rapidly changing situation of the youth, which is not always easy to understand.
This sharing has helped us to deal in a better way with the needs of the youth and to suggest for them a better focused formation.
Meeting of local superiors
After the formators’ meeting, also the meeting of the local superiors of our communities and of the members of the provincial council, the first after many years, was held in Kinshasa.
Sixteen confreres took part and dealt with the service of authority: the joys and difficulties of this service, the aim, the spirituality and some of the methods to implement it. The meeting was also an opportunity to review the different aspects of the life of the province.
CURIA
Fr. Giuseppe Frigerio returns to Uganda
Fr. Giuseppe Frigerio came to the Curia in 1996 as private secretary to the Superior General, a task which he carried out well until 2003, even though he suffered serious health problems in the latter years. Once he recovered, he lovingly assisted his only sister who died in December 2004.
Fr. Giuseppe continued to work in the Curia helping the secretary general, being in taking charge of printing and skilfully looking after the building and the equipment of the Generalate. He has now been assigned to Uganda, where he is due to arrive on 10 January 2007 after a holiday at home.
Besides being an excellent secretary, a thorough proof-reader and a great priest and missionary, Fr. Giuseppe is very skilled in carpentry and different maintenance jobs. His presence in the community has always been a sign of communion, brotherhood, availability and commitment. All the confreres of the community of the Curia wish to thank him sincerely and pray that God may bless him with many years of fruitful service in the new task that awaits him in Kampala.
DSP
Fr. Josef Altenburger elected new Provincial Superior
Fr. Josef Altenburger is the new provincial of the DSP. After his predecessor, Fr. Anton Schneider, had to withdraw from office because of illness, the elections required by the Rule of Life were held. Fr. Altenburger obtained the required majority after the straw ballot and two rounds of balloting. On 8 November 2006 the General Council appointed him to the office which will last till the end of 2007. Before being appointed provincial, Fr. Altenburger was in charge of the Innsbruck scholasticate.
Reopening of the historical house at Brixen-Milland
After 18 months of work and many unexpected construction problems, the house in Brixen-Milland was finally re-opened and blessed on 4 November 2006. It has really been transformed into a beautiful building which, if it could speak, would tell a lot about our history. Fr. Fabio Carlo Baldan, Fr. Odelir José Magri, Fr. Tesfamariam Ghebrecristos Woldeghebriel and Fr. Giuseppe Sandri of the General Administration, a number of confreres from Verona, the scholastics from Innsbruck and the new provincial, Fr. Josef Altenburger, came together to celebrate the event with the community of Milland and contributed to the joyful occasion with their music and songs. Among the invited guests were a number of dignitaries such as the local bishop Mons. Wilhelm Egger, his vicar general and the artist Adolf Bachler, responsible for the artwork in the new chapel. Among the guests were also the head of the provincial government of the Autonomous Province of Bozen and the mayor of Brixen, as well as representatives of the companies who had been involved in the renovation
In their addresses, the architect, the head of the provincial government, the mayor and the provincial of the DSP underlined the missionary importance of this house and of the Comboni community in South Tyrol.
Bought in 1895 and used since then, the house in Milland was the first Comboni house of the DSP, for which province, and for the whole Institute, it corresponds to what the Mother House in Verona represents for the Italian province. As a matter of fact, it has always been a bridge between the two cultures (German and Italian) and the two MCCJ provinces. The speakers also pointed out that the oldest part of the restructured building, now a section of the wall that is the remnant of a thousand-year-old Romanic fortification, has been part of the cultural heritage of the city.
The provincial took the opportunity to thank the architect Dr. Christian Mahlknecht, Heinrich Ferretti, the manager of the reconstruction work, Bro. Bernhard Hengl (provincial treasurer) who nearly every weekend travelled from Ellwangen to Brixen, Bro. Konrad Tremmel, always present at the site, and the superior of the community, Fr. Silvester Engl, who had initiated the process of restoration when he was the provincial. Now Milland is a truly welcoming place for confreres coming back from the mission and who wish to spend there some time to rest. There is even the possibility to rent rooms for other people as well.
The wish of the confreres of Milland is to continue to proclaim the missionary message to the people of South Tyrol.
General Assembly of the Comboni Lay Missionaries
From 6 to 12 November 2006 representatives of the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) worldwide held their 4th General Assembly at Ellwangen-Josefstal. In attendance were 18 CLM, 18 MCCJ and 2 CMS. Reports from the various CLM stressed that, having being founded in different mccj provinces, they have been influenced by various national, social, cultural and ecclesial backgrounds.
These differences are a great challenge for the integration of the CLM groups. Former meetings already yielded a definition of the CLM: they must be Comboni-like, they are to live and act as Christian laypeople and to be missionaries as well. Other issues, such as their identity, formation and finances, have already been discussed during past assemblies.
In this Assembly, issues of identity, belonging, formation and financial autonomy were further clarified. Reciprocal knowledge between the various CLM groups as well as between the CLM and the rest of the Comboni Family was seen as something very important, calling for networking and structures of information.
During the discussion it became clear that, rather than to assimilate the various CLM groups, it was advisable to accept and accommodate their national differences. It was also agreed that missionary commitment could take place either in one’s own country of origin (whichever this happened to be: Congo, Uganda, Brazil...) or abroad.
At the end of an enriching "multicultural week", a new central committee was elected. Its four members are: Fr. Umberto Pescantini, Mr. Alberto de la Portilla (CLM Spain), Mrs. Gloria Moráles Hernández (CLM México) and Fr. Günther Hofmann (the confrere responsible of the CLM in the DSP).
ECUADOR
Afro pastoral in Guayaquil
On 8 October, in the parish of “San Daniele Comboni”, Guayaquil, the Archbishop of the city, Mgr. Antonio Arregui, celebrated a Mass during which he officially approved the Statute of the “Confraternity of the Comboni Lay Missionary in Ecuador, men and women”. Very importantly, this gave due recognition to the Afro pastoral work in Guayaquil and all of Ecuador.
The Afro Missionaries are lay-people who feel called to commit themselves to the evangelisation of the Afro people, starting from their spirituality, feelings and culture. As they themselves say: “We are men and women called by God to be the presence of the Black Lord Jesus in society and in the Church. We are the response of God to our forsaken black people and the fulfilment of the dream of Daniel Comboni to save blacks through the blacks themselves”.
The Afro Missionaries announce the Gospel to the Afro people and to the whole of society in those places and situations in which they find themselves. In their Statute they give priority to “giving value to the experience which the black people have of God and promote inculturated spirituality, respecting the religiosity and specific culture of the Afro people.”
In his letter of approval of the Statute of this confraternity, Mgr. Arregui writes: “Bearing in mind that the spirituality of the Statute is based upon the apostolic and missionary spirit of St. Daniel Comboni, totally dedicated to the evangelisation of the black people by means of the same black people, and that this confraternity has the help of the Comboni Missionaries in Ecuador, I approve the Statute by which the members of that confraternity govern themselves and appeal to them to faithfully abide by the Statute in the accomplishment of their holy and noble purpose to the benefit of the beloved Afro people of Ecuador”.
All the Afro missionaries of Guayaquil and two missionaries from Chota were present at the Mass.
We place this Statute in the hands of Our Lord so that He may help the CLM to open up new horizons of inculturated evangelisation among the Afro people of Ecuador.
EGYPT
Workshop of ACUHIAM
From 8 to 10 November, Fr. John Richard Kyankaaga Ssendawula attended a Workshop of the Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM) in Nairobi, organized by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa which is currently holding the presidency. The association brings together all Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes in Africa and Madagascar which are under the Congregation of the Holy See for Catholic Education.
The general theme of the workshop was “Academic links within ACUHIAM”. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive framework for academic collaboration among the institutions’ members of the organisation.
The workshop discussed and suggested different ways of collaboration in research, academic links and high standards. At the end of the workshop, a plan of action and a framework on how to implement it were decided upon.
Participants came from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Madagascar.
KENYA
Comboni Day at Nakwamekwi
The tenth of October is the liturgical feast of St. Daniel Comboni. It is not just a feast for the Comboni Missionaries, but for all of us in Central and Eastern Africa, because even Turkana was part of his Vicariate. Comboni was, then, the first Bishop of Turkana.
It is now a tradition to celebrate this feast solemnly in The Risen Christ Parish at Nakwamekwi, with a concelebration presided by the bishop himself.
Every year we prepare something special, a kind of gift to offer to Comboni, something to show that we are continuing the work he started.
Last year we blessed the new “Multi-purpose Comboni Parish Hall” and celebrated eight marriages. This year we blessed the new “Comboni Girls Primary Boarding School” and celebrated 27 marriages. They were supposed to be 35, but eight couples dropped out in the last two weeks for various reasons. Surely 27 marriages, and all in one day, is something very exceptional, especially here in Turkana.
How did we manage? First of all we had a full year campaign. In our Parish Pastoral Plan it was decided to make the sacrament of marriage the top priority for the year 2006, involving the Jumuiyas (communities) and the outstations. The catechists were fully involved in this work.
We organised seminars and workshops on the sacrament of marriage. Many of our Christian couples are not receiving the sacraments of reconciliation and of Holy Communion, because they are living together without being properly married in the Church. Without Holy Communion it is impossible to be good Christians.
We also intend to build the local Church on solid foundations, that is “on the rock”. This rock is neither the parish church, nor the outstations, nor the Jumuiyas, but it is the “domestic Church”, the “Christian family”.
At first we met with a lot of scepticism and objections: Polygamy is still very common in Turkana; traditional dowry has to be paid for the stability of marriage; marriage in church is very expensive and people cannot afford it, etc.
The first thing we stressed was that in Nakwamekwi there would not be any “mardadi” (pompous) marriages. All that is required is the consent expressed by the couple in front of the priest in the presence of two witnesses. All the rest is not necessary and a waste of money, leaving the newly married couple with a lot of debts.
By following this policy, marriage became easier than we imagined.
Things are now changing even in Turkana: The dowry is no longer a ‘must’, as long as there is mutual agreement between the two clans involved; in the past it was the woman (wife) who pretended a high dowry, because the original family was more important than the acquired one; it was also discovered that there were more monogamous families than we thought.
The catechesis stressed that the sacrament of marriage was not an imposition from God or from the Church, but a special help that God wanted to give to the Christian couples, so that they would be able to overcome the difficulties that are encountered in family life, that every sacrament was a sign of Jesus Himself who came to us and accompanied us in our journey.
Now we have also men coming for Holy Communion and participating fully in all the activities of the Jumuiyas. (Fr. Raphael Cefalo)
PERU-CHILE
Meeting with the friends of the Comboni Missionaries
On 27 October, in preparation of the mission month and of the remembrance day of our deceased, the relatives, friends and benefactors of the community of Santiago de Chile were invited to a celebration in honour of St. Daniel Comboni. The Mass, which was celebrated at the church of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, situated in front of our house in “Calle Compañía”, was attended by about 90 people who, in this way, showed the affection and friendship they have for us.
Afterwards, those present viewed a display presenting our work and shared a light refreshment prepared for the occasion.
Celebration for Deceased Missionaries
On 2 November, as in previous years, the members of the community of Lima met at the chapel of the British Cemetery, where lie the mortal remains of nine of our deceased confreres, to celebrate a Mass in their memory.
There are already 29 confreres of the province, including the recently deceased Bro. Nino Mores, who now see the face of the Father. Fr. Rogelio Bustos Juárez, who presided, encouraged us to live the occasion both as an event we desired and for which we came together, like the women at the sepulchre, and also as an occasion to go out to proclaim that Jesus Christ is no longer in the tomb, but is to be found living and present on the paths of this world and in the hearts of our neighbour. As we remember our dead, we do so with gratitude for the years of service which they gave to us.
We thank our students, the Sisters and the Lay Comboni Missionaries for being with us.
UGANDA
Episcopal consecration of Mgr. Sabino Ocan Odoki
On 22 October 2006 in the presence of almost all the bishops of Uganda and a large crowd of faithful, the archbishop of Gulu, Mgr. John Baptist Odama, ordained Mgr. Sabino Ocan Odoki, auxiliary bishop of Gulu.
Present at the celebration was Fr. Vittorio Albertini who had baptised Sabino and followed him while in the minor seminary. His ordination testifies to the great work done by many Comboni Missionaries who gave their life for the Church of Gulu.
On the same day president Yoveri Museveni, to foster the peace process in Juba, meet with the leaders of the LRA. Mgr. Odama linked the ordination of Mgr. Sabino to the peace process, which had been so much desired and promoted by the religious leaders of the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader.
15th anniversary of Fr. William Nyadru’s death
The anniversary of Fr. William Nyadru’s death was solemnly celebrated in the parish of Morulem on 25 October 2006, the place where he was serving when he was killed. The celebration was organised by the people themselves and it was attended by a huge crowd, in spite of the fact that the anniversary fell on a working day. His memory is still alive and a source of inspiration for many.
50th anniversary of the “Leadership” magazine
With a reception at Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala Hall, Christ the King Church in Kampala, on 28 October 2006 a selected gathering of ministers, journalists, priests and friends attended the celebration for the 50th anniversary of “Leadership” magazine.
The guest of honour was the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pierre Christophe, who praised “Leadership” and the Catholic media for their role in being faithful servants of information and communication, but above all for spreading the news that is Good News and is embodied into the life of the people and of society. He praised Fr. José Carlos Rodríguez Soto who, as a journalist, had made known to the world the tragic situation of the people in the refugees camps of Northern Uganda.
The provincial, Fr. Giuseppe Filippi, gave a brief account of the history of “Leadership” from the beginning, when Fr. Tarcisio Agostoni started it as an instrument for the formation of Christian leaders in the social and political field and to prepare for the independence of Uganda. He then went on to speak of the importance of the magazine in keeping alive the right of freedom of speech during the dark years of Idi Amin’s dictatorship. The magazine reached its highest number of printed copies, nearly 40.000, during the period of great instability (1979-1986), when independent newspapers ceased to be published in Uganda. The provincial praised and thanked the various editors who worked in the magazine, the Comboni Sisters, the Daughters of St Paul and all those who have contributed to its 50 years of success.
Fr. Carlos, the present editor, shared his experience as a journalist and as a priest: the two professions go well together, as they can both serve the Good News and the people. Best wishes to “Leadership”!
IN PACE CHRISTI
Fr. Francesco Cioffi (15.01.1935 – 02.11.2006)
Fr. Paolo Ottolini (29.06.1932 – 09.11.2006)
Bro. Nino Mores (18.06.1936 – 10.11.2006)
Let us pray for our beloved dead
THE FATHER: Bernardino, of Fr. Ivo Martins do Vale (ET) and Fr. José Augusto do Vale (†); Guido, of Fr. Mario Andrighetto (I).
THE BROTHER: Manuel Nina, of Fr. José Carlos Mendes da Costa (MO); Antonio, of Fr. Francesco Chemello (SS).
THE SISTER: Argentina, of Fr. Aristide Guerra (ER).
THE COMBONI MISSIONARY SISTERS: Sr. M. Verina Bellei; Sr. Massimilla Canzi; Sr. Rosa Maria Sometti.
Website: Visit our website at: http://comboni.org