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Letter to the confreres in situations of violence and war
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Some African nations are prey to violence and war, especially South Sudan and Central Africa. Our confreres who live in those nations have decided to stay with the people and share their life. A choice of courage that helps us to remember that St. Daniel Comboni continues to love and to make common cause with the poorest and most abandoned in Africa today through these confreres. The following is a letter of appreciation, encouragement and deep affection coming from the General Direction and the circumscriptions’ superiors to our confreres so that they may, in turn, console the people with whom they share their lives.
Comboni Missionaries
Via Luigi Lilio, 80
Roma
February 22th, 2014
“Console my people, console them, says your God.”
(Isaiah 40:1)
Dearest Confreres, Sisters and Lay Missionaries
in South Sudan and the Central African Republic,
Heartfelt greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest.
During these two weeks of Meetings, prayer and reflection that Provincial and Delegation Superiors have shared with the General Direction of our Institute, we have followed with the greatest of concern the situation of wanton violence afflicting the countries in which you live.
We cannot remain indifferent to your plight and so wish to address these words of communion and fraternity to you.
Pain and death continue to indelibly mark out the way of the Mission. The telling witness of your remaining on and sharing the lot of the people you are called to serve in the midst of such mindless violence serves to remind us that St. Daniel Comboni continues to love, and make common cause with, the poorest and most abandoned in Africa today. Your wonderful witness in such tragic circumstances makes the presence of Comboni very much alive and active.
We are also aware of the political and economic interests that have brought about such a profound crisis in your societies: placing the many ethnic and religious elements present in trenchant opposition to one another, and rendering evermore precarious the peaceful co-existence that has prevailed between such groups over many years. The humanitarian crisis that this has provoked is without precedent. We know that the doors of many of our Parishes and Houses of Formation have remained open to welcome, accompany and console thousands of those displaced by the fighting and often fleeing for their very lives. This is without doubt an integral part of our ministry of ‘consolation’ among peoples that earnestly seek peace. We wish to share the risks and the dangers that you are living, your solidarity and something of your wonderful courage.
We can but recall the words our Father and Founder wrote a week before he died: “Everything that God wishes comes about. God never abandons the one who trusts in Him. He is the protector of innocence and the vindicator of righteousness. I am happy in the Cross which, when borne willingly out of love for God, gives birth to victory and eternal life” (Writings, No. 7246), and the words he spoke on his death-bed, “Courage for the present, but above all, courage for the future”.
We earnestly pray for a complete cessation to all violence and to the violation of human rights, that justice, peace and reconciliation may break through the boundaries of what is humanly-speaking ‘impossible’ and find a home in the hearts of all men and women of goodwill in your countries.
We embrace you all with tenderness and affection; you are very much present in our thoughts and prayers. May St. Daniel Comboni protect each one of you and every one entrusted to your care.
The Superior-General and His Council,
Provincial and Delegation Superiors,
and the General Direction of the
Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus