Familia Comboniana 736 - December 2015

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

NOTES FROM THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSULTA

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2015

1. The General Council decided that the first Consulta of this administration is to be held in two parts: the first from 9 to 20 November and the second from 9 to 11 December. The first part was preceded by a few days’ retreat (5-7 November) at Limone, directed by the outgoing Father General, Fr. Enrique Sánchez G. This was followed by a visit to the elderly confreres at Castel d’Azzano.

2. From 9 to14 November, the outgoing General Council performed the handover to the new General Council with the exception of the office of the Vicar General which was postponed to mid-December. The new VG could not be elected due to the absence of Fr. Rogelio Bustos Juarez who is waiting in Mexico for a visa to come to Italy.

3. The new GC met, in turn, the Secretaries, those in charge of the offices and all the other confreres who make up the community of the Curia.

4. From 16 to 20 November, the new GC concentrated on the urgent needs of the Institute and planned the visits of Fr General and his Assistants during the next two months:

Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie

     22 – 24 November: Pesaro – Italian Provincial Assembly

     25 – 27 November: Roma – USG Assembly

  4 – 6 December: Brescia and Milan to visit elderly and sick confreres

     18 – 25 December: absent from Rome

P. Pietro Ciuciulla

     27 November – 4 December: Central African Republic

     23 December – 8 January 2016: on holiday

Fr. Jeremias dos Santos Martins

     24 November – 7 December: absent from Rome

     14 December – 8 January 2016: on holiday in Portugal

Bro. Alberto Lamana Cónsola

     22 – 26 November: Pesaro – Italian Provincial Assembly

     26 November – 7 December: Spain (university)

     12 – 23 December: Spain (university)

5. New official addresses have been created for the General Assistants:   the Assistant in charge of Anglophone Africa:

- agapdesam@comboni.org

          - the Assistant in charge of Francophone Africa:

agafra@comboni.org

6. Dates of 2016 Consultas

18 – 29 January

01 – 23 March

31 May – 25 June

04 – 28 October

05 – 16 December

7. The Provincial of Portugal, Fr. José da Silva Vieira, has been elected President of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Portugal (CIRP). Congratulations.

Specialisations

Bro. Mwamba Kabaya Jean Marie (DCR) has defended his philosophical thesis entitled: An Analysis of Soren Kierkegaard's Concept of Freedom. Congratulations!

Ordination to the priesthood

Fr. Bernard Eliwo Ngonge (DCR)     Kinshasa (DCR)        15.11.2015

Holy Redeemer Guild

December               01 – 15 PE                  16 – 31 U

January                   01 – 15 A                    16 – 31 BR

Prayer intentions

December – That, as they welcome with joy the gift of salvation, the peoples among whom we live may find consolation, justice and peace. Lord, hear us.

January – For all migrants who are forced by war and hunger to leave their own countries, that they may find in us Christians a welcome and solidarity. Lord hear us.

Publications

AA.VV. Como permanecer jovem (How to stay young), by Fr. Enzo Santangelo, 2015. This is a small booklet in three sections – spiritual, psychological and medical – which, by means of questions and answers, aims to help face the problems of old age.

ASIA

Catholic Mass Media Award 2015

The 37th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) was held on 4 November, 2015, at the Star City Theatre. The theme was “Communicating the Family: A Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love” based on the message of Pope Francis for World Communications Day last January 24.

Founded by the late Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, in 1978, the CMMA Foundation received, this year, a total number of 803 entries in 60 mass media categories in the broad fields of print, radio, television, advertising, music, and internet.

World Mission magazine was awarded in four categories: Best Short Story, “Rising from the Pit” written by Ken Leslie; Best Investigative Report, “Missionaries in China: Reinventing the Mission”, by Fr. Manuel A. Ferreira; Best Website, www.worldmissionmagazine.com by Design For Tomorrow and WM staff; and a Special Citation as a Family-Oriented Magazine.

His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, DD, the current Honorary Chairman of CMMA, graced the occasion with his presence and an inspirational talk inviting the media to portray the family as good news in the world today.

BRASIL

Mission promotion and Vocations Promotion meeting

From 9 to11 November, the members of the Comboni Family met to evaluate their work of Mission promotion and Vocations Promotion and to plan for 2016.

Starting from the theme of the general Chapter, “Comboni Missionary disciples called to live the joy of the Gospel in the world of today”, they reflected upon how to create an instrument for more effective vocations ministry and to answer the question: why are there so few vocations? The result was a plan of work for all the communities, firstly to become aware of the need for this work which is part of the Comboni charism and then to follow this up by working within the organisations for MA and VP of the Local Church.

COLOMBIA

Meeting on the topic of Amazonia priorities

From 12 to 20 November, there took place in Bogota the meetings of the two networks: Iglesias y Minería and Red Ecclesial Panamazonica, which are concerned with the problems afflicting the people of the Amazonia region and carry on pastoral activities for the promotion and protection of social and environmental life. Fr. Dario Bossi, who works in Brazil and Fr. Rafael González Ponce, Provincial of Ecuador, attended the meetings.

The Combonis are one of the founder members of the Iglesias y Miniera network and follow its activities, especially in Peru and Brazil through Vivat International, in the USA; they also collaborate with the Pan-amazonia Network ever since its foundation in 2014, mostly through the presence and activities of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) at Manaus and Piquiá de Baixo, in Brazil, and, more recently, also in Ecuador.

CONGO

Ordination to the priesthood

The Comboni deacon Rev. Bernard Eliwo Ngonge was ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, 15 November, by Mgr. Donatien Bafuidinsoni, Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa, who was himself consecrated on 8 June of this year. The celebration took place at the parish of the Sacred Heart in Binza (Kinshasa), one of the most beautiful and modern churches of the capital. During the same ceremony, a priest and five deacons of other religious institutes were ordained.

The Eucharistic celebration, lasting more than five and a half hours, was a true celebration from beginning to end, with a special choir organised for the occasion by hundreds of young people. An important moment of the celebration was that which preceded the presentation of the candidates to the bishop: in accordance with African tradition, each candidate received the blessing of his parents. In their own language, the mothers and fathers offered their son to God and prayed audibly for their perseverance until death.

In his homily, Mgr. Donatien drew the attention of the candidates to the seriousness of the commitment they were publicly assuming that day and exhorted them not to look back in times of trouble and when the “applause of today becomes criticism and even betrayal”.

Fr. Bernard Eliwo was appointed to the mission of Chad where he already carried out his missionary service.

CURIA

Retreat in Limone for the new General Council

From 5 to 7 November, the recently elected new General Council went to Limone for a three-day retreat led by Fr. Enrique Sánchez G., as he concluded his service as Superior General of the Institute. The native house of the Founder is a place with a special meaning for Comboni missionaries and is, therefore, a suitable place to begin a new term of service that demands faithfulness to the charism.

Fr. Enrique invited the members of the Council to allow themselves to be moulded by Christ in an attitude of humility, aware that the mission is not ours but His and that we are but instruments in his hands. They were to pay special attention to three words. The Word of God which touches the heart and transforms it so as to place ourselves at the service of His people. The word of Comboni which we are called to hear in order to make his charism come alive in the present situation. Lastly there is the human word that expresses itself in many different forms and to which we must listen because it makes us perceive the signs of the times.

On their way back to Rome, the Council stopped at Castel D’Azzano to celebrate the Eucharist with the elderly confreres. This was followed by a sharing in the experience of the Chapter.

“The Voice” of the Writings of Comboni is now silent

On 17 November last, in a clinic at Nepi, not far from Rome, Nando Gazzolo, the well-known personality of Italian theatre and cinema, passed away. His voice was well known and dear to the Comboni public since he volunteered to read a selection from the “Writings” for a series of audio tapes created in 1995 by Fatmo in Verona, entitled Daniele Comboni. Gli Scritti.

The ten tape recordings, totalling thirteen hours, revisit the life of the Founder through his writings. The result was a sort of autobiography that was very close to the account by the author and made all the more precious by one of the best and most talented voices of the Italian artistic scene of the second half of the last century.

During the recording – they were made in 1996 and took two weeks – Nando Gazzolo came to know the human and spiritual figure of St. Daniel Comboni and developed an interest in the missionary work of the Comboni Missionaries which he continued by correspondence during the following years. The voice of Nando Gazzolo, with its lively and passionate interpretation, will continue to accompany for many years those who decide to approach the “Prophet of Africa” by listening to these recordings of his writings. At such times, prayers for the happy repose of his soul will be much appreciated.

DSP

Various news items

Starting on 1 January, 2016, the Comboni Missionaries and the Salvadorians (SDS) will collaborate in preparing and accompanying the Lay Missionaries (MaZ). The decision was approved by the Provincial Councils of both Institutes. This is in accordance with what was proposed by the recent Chapter which motivated this collaboration both within the Comboni Family and with other Institutes.

On 31 December, 2015, the Pontifical Mission Societies of Steiermark will leave our house in Messendorf where they had been based for fifteen years. We regret this decision since it was a valid cooperation and their presence was a great enrichment for us, but the new administration decided to move to a place closer to the bishop, because of the nature of their Foundation. Consequently, we must consider what to do with the house. (For further information visit our DSP website).

ECUADOR

Initiation of the cause of beatification of Fr. Alberto Ferri

With a solemn Mass celebrated on 24 October, 2015, at the parish of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, in the Archdiocese of Portoviejo (Manabi), the diocesan phase of the beatification of Fr. Alberto Ferri was initiated.

After the homily, Mgr. Lorenzo Voltolini read the official biography of Fr Ferri presented to the Holy See. Deacon Jose Ureta read the letter by which, responding to the request of Mgr. Voltolini, made on 30 November, 2014, the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints stated that there was no obstacle to the Cause of Beatification and Canonisation.

Another question posed by Mgr. Voltolini asked whether the research into his life and virtues, the reputation for the holiness and the signs of Fr. Ferri could be made in the Archdiocese of Portoviejo, even though Fr. Ferri had died in the diocese of Bergamo (Italy). In this regard, the congregation replied that, taking into account the reasons set out in the request and seeing that the Bishop of Bergamo Mgr. Francesco Beschi, was in agreement, grants the request but asks that, respecting article 26 of the norms to be observed by Bishops in their research for the Causes of the Saints, that the diocesan Rogatoria on the life and virtues, as well as the reputation for holiness and the signs of the Servant of God be also carried out by the Curia of Bergamo. Fr. Miguel Angel Vera was appointed Postulator, Fr. Edwin Delgado Cedeno as Vice-Postulator. Fr Geovanny Pico was nominated Promoter of Justice and Fr. Manuel Cedeno as notary.

The ceremony was presided over by Mgr. Voltolini, accompanied by Mgr. Eduardo Castillo, Auxiliary Bishop, by priests from Manabi and the faithful from Viche (Esmeraldas), La Manga del Cura, La Bramadora, El Carmen, Honorato Vásquez (Manabi), places where Fr. Ferri carried out his missionary service. The civil authorities were represented by the Prefect of Manabi, Mariano Zambrano, the Vice-Prefect and the Mayor of Santa Ana.

Fr. Alberto Ferri died in Bergamo on 16 October, 2009. His remains are interred at the feet of the statue of Our Lady of Los Angeles, in the parish church of Honorato Vasquez. After the Mass, the Fr. Ferri Museum was blessed and inaugurated.

ITALIA

Bro. Alfredo Fiorini Centre

The October 2015 issue of the newsletter “Raccontiamoci. La missione continua”, continues to be published by the community of the “Bro. Alfredo Fiorini Centre” of Castel D’Azzano. Addressing friends new and old, on the front page, the confreres affirm: “We are grateful because this house is the result of the desire of the Institute to take ever better care of us”.

And then they continue: “We are a new and numerous community: some know each other well as they spent years together in mission or formation while others do not yet know one another. Many years spent in different parts of the world, so many experiences to be shared, together with the will to feel at home in a new community. What is the first step? To know each other better! To feel part of this new family in which I see in the other person a brother, a friend with whom to share views, one with whom I sit down at table, with whom I pray, one to share a joke with or a chat. The need expressed by the confreres therefore gives rise to this small project: ‘Let us get to know each other’. We organised some meetings in which the confreres, in groups based on their mission, introduce themselves and share their missionary story with the others. Up to now we have heard groups from Mozambique and Ecuador, the latter with a very special witness: the Provincial of Ecuador himself!”

MEXICO

IV American Youth Mission Congress

With great enthusiasm, the American Comboni Missionary Youth Group (70 young people) gathered at Sahuayo Michoacan (16-18 October 2015) for their IV Congress. They came from the Comboni communities of Comalapa Veracruz, Temixco Morelos, Metlatónoc Guerrero, San Fco del Rincon Guanajuato and Sahuayo Michoacan. The theme of the Congress was: “I am the Body of Christ”.

During the meeting, experiences were shared of the need to be witnesses of Christ among the youth of today following the example of Blessed José Sánchez del Rio (Joselito), a martyr from Sahuayo, whose process of canonisation is under way. The assembly became aware of, and reflected on the martyrdom of the indigenous people, daily martyrdom of so many people today simply because they follow Christ and of the many Comboni martyrs, both men and women. The Congress concluded with a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Christ the King where Joselito, the martyr, is venerated, and a Eucharistic celebration led by Fr. Moises García González.

PORTUGAL

Fr. José Vieira elected president of CRIP

The representatives of the religious Institutes in Portugal have elected Fr. José da Silva Vieira, Provincial, as President of the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal (CRIP), during the XXI General Assembly which took place on 16 and 17 November, at the house of Our Lady of Dores, Fatima. Fr. Vieira, elected for the triennium 2015-2017, takes the place of Fr. Artur Teixeira, a Claretian Missionary.

The CRIP was set up by the major superiors of the 138 Institutes of religious and Apostolic Life in Portugal and is a non-profit organisation of Pontifical Right with canonical and juridical personality. It was established on 16 April, 2015 and has the approval of the Holy See. It came about through the fusion of National Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Institutes (NCRI) and the National Federation of the Major Superiors of Religious Institutes (NFRI), fifty years after the creation of the two organisations. Today, CRIP includes 796 religious communities as well as more than six thousand members and around 400 persons in formation.

RCA

Portuguese Comboni Lay Missionary sent to Mongoumba

The Comboni Lay Missionary Maria Augusta Pacheco Pires left on 9 November for the Central African Republic where she will stay for a period of two years on mission among the Aka pygmies. Maria Augusta has already had twelve years missionary service experience and is returning to Mongoumba, where she already worked from 2008 to 2010. Mgr. Virgílio do Nascimento Antunes, Bishop of Coimbra, presided at the sending ceremony on 25 October at the parish of Janeiro de Baixo.

At Mongoumba, the CLM work especially with the emarginated population of pygmies, concentrating on education, evangelisation and public health, as an integral part of the local Comboni mission.

The parish of Notre Dame de Fatima, in Bangui, acts as a refugee camp for Christians. At the end of October, it suffered an attack by a group of young Moslems, despite the protection of the international forces. Fr. Moses Otii Alir, a Ugandan Comboni from the parish, edited a detailed report on the dramatic situation in the Christian quarter, before the arrival of Pope Francis. The Holy Father visited Bangui on 29 and 30 November during his first apostolic journey which also brought him to Kenya and Uganda. On 29, he opened the Holy Door of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the cathedral of Bangui.

SOUTH SUDAN

Comboni Missionaries promote a peace pilgrimage

The Comboni missionaries Fr. Fernando Galarza and Sr. Lorena Morales organised a Peace Caravan and made a pilgrimage for peace in the mission of Leer.

The Catholic parish of St. Joseph the Worker is a large mission territory in Unity State that falls under the Diocese of Malakal and has been entrusted to the pastoral care of the Comboni Missionaries. This mission consists of the four counties in southern Unity State, three of which have been badly affected by the current conflicts. The Peace Pilgrimage took place in Panyijiar County, the less affected area.

The two missionaries were accompanied by a few helpers, among them the local senior catechist, Michael Makuey. The Caravan covered on foot about 120 km to bring a message of peace to war-affected people. They visited 13 Christian communities and held prayers in each of them. Often they had to wade through in knee-deep water and mud, since it was the rainy and flooding season. They had to cross over rivers and face a lot of hardships, but they managed to deliver the message of peace to the four corners of that county, which hosts a huge number of war-displaced people who had fled the conflicts in the neighbouring counties.

The youth were massively present with their traditional marches and songs of praise. Crowds of thousands gathered at each of the 13 prayer services. Schools in the area cancelled their classes to allow students and teachers to join the peace pilgrimage and attend prayers, supported also by the local authorities.

Let us pray for our beloved dead

THE FATHER: Pasquale, of Fr. Corrado De Robertis (A).

THE BROTHERS: Riccardo, of Fr. Corrado Masini (ET); Josef, of Bro. Anton Kühner (DSP).

THE SISTERS: Fausta, of Fr. Gino Melato (I); Renata, of Fr. Roberto Pegorari (U).

THE COMBONI MISSIONARY SISTERS: Sr. Iselda Rossi; Sr. Anna Franca Rivetti; Sr. Giulianna Carnicelli.