Writings

[6487]

I order Rev. Fr Giulianelli to make sure to send the above-mentioned articles and also to obtain from the Jesuit Fathers the teach-yourself books on writing Arabic in 12 small fascicles: get 10 copies of each of the twelve fascicles (that is 120 in all) and send them to Khartoum.
Furthermore, I hope you have paid for the Arabic books I bought from the Jesuits, as I ordered you before I left. I also hope that you have sent to Verona the ones I left in my room in Cairo, together with 10 copies of each of the 12 fascicles for writing which I mentioned (that is, 120 fascicles). If you have not already sent them, please do so as soon as possible.
Today (15th February), Fr Bortolo and Fr Rosignoli have a temperature from having caught cold. I hope that they will have recovered in a week.

+ Daniel,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic

[6488]

Fr Bortolo and Fr Rosignoli are in bed with fever through having caught cold although yesterday it was 31 degrees in the shade. I have no time to write. Mgr Lavigerie’s mission in Nyanza is going badly and at breakneck speed, although they are printing marvels in Lyons; we are praying for them. But as for ours… it is more firmly established and far better organised than all the missions in Equatorial Africa. I am told that the governor of the Equatorial Province said that the smallest Mission Station, Mgr Comboni’s, is worth far more than all those of the French missions on the Equator. Glory be to God, who wants the work: and he wants it because he sends the Cross: yesterday Sister Grigolini wrote to me that in Kordofan they are now asking 15 francs a day for water. St Joseph our dear grandad will see to it. I bless everyone. And this week we had 2 Catholic weddings.
Many respects to the Cardinal

+ Bishop Daniel

Please write to my father that I am very well and am soon going to Kordofan.

[6489]

Having received by yesterday’s post Dr A. Petermann’s Mittheilungen di Gotha (one of the best journals in the world for African news and discoveries which the late Mgr Nardi always used to receive in Rome and which, given African developments, is useful reading for those who care about Africa), in which can be read in German what I permitted myself to write to Your Eminence in my last letter of the 8th of this month, no 2 on Uganda and its despot M’tesa, I wasted no time in translating a passage of it into Italian, from which it is clear that our worthy and courageous missionaries of Algiers are in a very critical position. I believe it my duty to inform Your Eminence of the concerns of these interesting lands since I am in a position to know something about them. This does not mean that one should not hope for the success of that holy undertaking. The Church is used to these matters, to contradictions, to the opposition of despots, to martyrdom. These are the conditions sine qua non of works of God. I enclose here on a separate sheet a small extract I have translated from the Mittheilungen etc.

[6490]

Although the climate of Khartoum is considerably improved, yet I have two new missionaries who came with me from Cairo smitten with a raging fever.
Since in the kingdom of Kordofan water is beginning to be scarce, and this will certainly last until the first rains in June, preparations are already under way to move in that direction. The day after tomorrow the first caravan will leave with provisions and 6 individuals; I will then follow in 15 days with the Sisters. This is because the cost of water for drinking and cooking in my two establishments in El Obeid is soaring to 15 and even 16 francs a day, just for water.

[6491]

I am fairly satisfied with the mission in Khartoum, especially with the institutes in the interior where prayer, fervour and activity prevail, and numerous catechumens have been instructed or are under instruction who want to become Christians, including three Muslims. But I am going gently, because this is the way to go in Africa: one must walk slowly but surely. I will later give Your Eminence an exact and carefully thought-out report, after my visit to Kordofan and to Jebel Nuba. Among my missionaries and Sisters the spirit of self-denial and sacrifice holds sway. We are all prepared to die for the redemption of Africa. I kiss, etc. imploring…
Your most devoted and unworthy son,

+ Daniel Comboni

[6492]

Extract from a letter of Dr Emin Bey
published in the Annals of Petermann, Mittheilungen of Gotha Fasc. 26 (December) 1880, p. 472
on the Mission of Victoria Nyanza

“ At your request, I shall do a study on Uganda. Stanley, for whom I have great esteem, wrote a lot of false things about Uganda. Indeed it is right that things should eventually be described as they are. It happens by chance that I receive mail from Uganda, and I see among the other reports that on 23rd December 1897 King M’tesa and his chiefs, gathered at a great and solemn assembly, concluded by forbidding English and French missionaries to teach, and punishing with death natives who go to them for instruction. A decree simultaneously says that both the white men’s religion and that of the Mohammedans is forbidden, and there is an injunction that the above-mentioned natives should preserve the faith and customs of their ancestors. This decision was received with great applause by the chiefs, while the king commanded the soldiers in their posts to honour this event by firing a salute.

[6493]

The Assembly was of the opinion that religious teaching is not necessary in Uganda but that guns, gunpowder and bullets are, and as many as there are blades of grass. The most recent letter received from Rubaga dated 1st June which claims that there is no hope for the missions (sic) corresponds with this. M’tesa, says the letter, is not behaving well towards us, and I believe we will be forced to leave the mission. The four French missionaries as well as the English (1), are of the opinion that they cannot succeed here. The king is fiercer than ever; he sacrificed more than two hundred of the poor, on his ancestors’ tomb and no longer pays any attention to what we say, etc. (2)”

Dr Emin Bey, Governor

[6494]

(1) I am assured that there are still two Anglican missionaries in Uganda.
(2) King M’tesa, in accordance with the ancient laws of Uganda, considers as his guests all foreigners who arrive in his empire; he therefore feels obliged to offer them hospitality, and to provide them with all they need as long as they remain in his lands. By virtue of this, not only are his guests forbidden to buy what they need from others, but Ugandans are also forbidden to sell anything to foreigners. M’tesa receives foreigners fairly well on principle, in view of the gifts they bring; but when there are no more to accept, he is like all African chiefs and kings in general, and abandons or persecutes them. Trained by such an experience, I never took any presents either to Nuba nor to Kic, nor anywhere else, other than a few shirts, cigars, tobacco and medicines, and few or no weapons. I went to Nuba with only two guns in 1875, and I will now go there with only two guns to defend ourselves from the hyenas, etc. and to hunt game for food.

[6495]

Stanley also told me that M’tesa is a gentleman: “He is a gentleman” [written in English] And he could easily have been telling the truth, because Stanley spent only a short time with King M’tesa.
But, as I have often written to Propaganda and also told Mgr Lavigerie, in Vienna and elsewhere, it is one thing to travel or to explore in Africa and quite another to found there a stable and lasting work such as a Catholic mission. For travellers or explorers it is an easy task because they shoot through these places like meteors, and then go home: but a mission is more difficult; and it is therefore necessary to proceed slowly, to write less, and only to speak after much time and long experience and to say little about the situation until it is all certain.

[6496]

However, I believe and am convinced that with time, patience and faith in God, who is after all also master of King M’tesa, the missionaries of Algiers will be taught by experience and will learn the best way to establish their work and gradually to make it more stable. This will happen when, among other things, they have learned the language (which is a very difficult business for anyone who is not a linguist and does not already know some languages). So let us pray for them. For my part, I will send a letter to the Superior of Nyanza Victoria by the steamboat that leaves here on the 20th, encouraging him, giving him good and practical advice, and reminding him that the Heart of Jesus also beat for the peoples of Equatorial Africa.

[6497]

By the next post I will send Your Eminence the copy of a new letter from my friend the governor Emin Bey himself (who since he is also a doctor has excellent relations with M’tesa and his generals (???!), and says that he will try to do as much good as possible for those Catholic missionaries) who on 28th August 1880 wrote from here to Cavaliere Hansal, the Imperial Royal Consul of Austria, giving him more or less the same information as I wrote to Your Eminence in my last letter n. 2.

[6498]

Emin Bey likewise communicates to the Imperial Royal Consul here a letter from the English Anglican missionary, Pearson, who is in Uganda and says that because of King M’tesa’s decrees, he and his companion are being forced to withdraw from Uganda to Mpwapwa, where some of his confreres are. May he have a good journey!
However, since the Catholic Mission in Uganda is the work of God, he will find a way to get round the devil’s plans and, once the first difficulties that are always present in the works of God have passed, the Catholic mission of Uganda will remain. Let us pray for that.

+ Daniel Comboni,
Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa

[6499]

For many years already the “Catholic Missions” have taken a keen interest in my difficult mission of Central Africa, and the continual donations to support this difficult undertaking are a clear proof of the interest of Catholic Germany. I am most grateful to the esteemed editorial board, as also to the distinguished benefactors, and each day I will pray for them, along with my little sheep.
To inform the esteemed editors who do so much for the holy work of evangelisation and the many readers about how the mission is going, I will endeavour to send news every now and then, so as to have a more regular correspondence. Should I be unable to do so myself, I will entrust my missionary, Fr J. Dichtl, with the task.

[6500]

To give you some news at once, I inform you, Sir, that on the 28th I arrived in Khartoum, the principal seat of my mission, after a pleasant journey, begun in Cairo, of just 29 days. My caravan consisted of 15 persons: the priest Fr Bartolomeo Rolleri from the diocese of Piacenza (belonging to the Institutes of Africans in Egypt since 1869, and their Superior since 1872), Johann Dichtl, diocese of Seckau, Joseph Ohrwalder, diocese of Trent and Fr Paolo Rosignoli, diocese of Frascati (who studied at the “Mastai” College in Rome), with six Sisters of my Verona Institute and six lay people (also belonging to my Verona Institute).

[6501]

Before my departure I was received in a very friendly manner by His Royal Highness Tawfik Pasha, and the Viceroy’s government granted me some privileges for the journey. On 29th December we left Cairo for Suez, where we arrived at 8 p.m. on the same day, and left again in the afternoon of the 31st on the Egyptian ship Nagila. We reached Suakin in the afternoon of 5th January. The voyage was quite calm, except for a short period when the sea was rough, and we all got seasick. We stayed until the 10th in Suakin, then continued with 48 camels towards Hila in the west across the Bisharan Desert, and arrived at Berber on 22nd January, very tired but in the best of health. On the 24th we continued our journey for Khartoum on the steamer “El Fasher”. After the toils of the desert, the journey on the Nile was a real pleasure-trip. In Khartoum they were expecting us for the 31st, so our unexpected arrival was a very pleasant surprise for the mission.

[6502]

I am very pleased with the progress of the mission of Khartoum since the beginning of 1879, both healthwise and as regards the results of our efforts. But we still feel the consequences of 1878, and a number of gaps have not yet been filled.
In a few days I will leave with my new forces for Kordofan, to visit the missions of El Obeid and Malbes. The news from there causes some concern, because the wells are starting to dry up, and the mission is forced to buy water from a long way off, at the cost of 14–15 francs. From Kordofan I will leave for the Nuba mission which is very promising; I am thinking of extending it towards Bahr-el-Ghazal.
Your servant

+ Daniel Comboni
Bishop of Claudiopolis i.p.i.
Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa.


Translated from German.

[6503]

I received your dear letter of 20th January today. It is because the post travels by steamer and railway and on the Nile from Limone to Korosko in Nubia, and then enters the desert.
I am in perfect health, much better than in Italy; but I have spent two nights and two days in Purgatory over the dangerous illness of Fr Rolleri (who has understood everything so far, and has been like a meek lamb from Cairo until today, because he found everything much better than he had believed, and understands quite well that he was misinformed, even as regards Fr Luigi Bonomi, who is a real pillar of the Mission; and that I am the only one who can run the whole Work in its vastness and difficulty) who was at death’s door, and of the Roman priest Fr Paolo Rosignoli, who had typhus. But thank God the two tremendous sicknesses broke last night, and now both are out of danger.

[6504]

Domenico, my valet, terrified by these illnesses (he’s always sighing for Rome) now drinks only half a glass of wine at lunch and half at supper. Don Bortolo and everyone were amazed at the work done by Fr Bonomi (who heartily returns your greetings). Don Bort. Rolleri makes his confession to me, and I confess to him every Monday. Early on (between you and me) he would have it every week that I had committed such and such sins; and although I repeatedly told him I hadn’t, and that I had not even dreamed of them, he was so convinced in his head that I had committed them, despite my saying that I had not, that he gave me a penance as though I was guilty (a penance, however, that I carried out). But in the past month he has changed manner, and seems convinced that he was mistaken; certainly, he is obedient, exemplary, devout, calm, mild, peaceful, and really loves and is zealous for the Mission. I have already sent off 15 camels yesterday with provisions for Kordofan, and I have ready the camels for a caravan of over 25 people between missionaries, Sisters, white and black personnel, to take with me: but I put it off (it was supposed to leave in three days) because of the two serious illnesses mentioned above.

[6505]

The two Germans I ordained priests in Cairo, Fr Johann and Fr Josef are both first-class priests. Tomorrow I will confer Minor Orders on Francesco Pimazzoni from Verona, who will certainly become the most perfect and holy missionary of Central Africa. He is the one who has written the enclosed letter to you on behalf of my servant Domenico. All the missionaries and Sisters of Central Africa pray for you, always. Those of Khartoum sent their greetings and wish to be remembered. Isidoro is doing well, and made us laugh all through the journey. He says he owes his good fortune of being in Africa to You, because he was on the verge of being dismissed from Verona because of Grieff.
Greetings to all relatives and friends.
Yr. son

+ Daniel Bishop

[6506]

The Rev. Francesco Pimazzoni, (on whom I will confer the Tonsure and all four Minor Orders on the feast of St. Matthew, as decided with everyone’s agreement) has prepared a Report for his friends of the Catholic Circle of Verona. From what I read in the first pages and a bit here and there, I think it would also do for the next issue of our Annals, N.24. I spoke to Francesco about it, and he answered that he is happy for us to do as we wish. I hope that Fr Dichtl will send you a Report: but in case he does not send it, or sends one that is half German, you can publish what you think best. In any case, do whatever you want. Our two sick men are getting better; but Don Bortolo very slowly; he still cannot take more than a few spoonfuls of broth. It is an old gastric problem of more than a dozen years, and will get better. In short, we are completely out of danger.

[6507]

I am occupied with the underhand war waged on us by the Friars (only out of egotism and ignorance, and for many, without malice), and especially by the French and by Bishop Lavigerie. But the French lies and squabbles and the bragging, etc., have short legs. That ambitious Prelate (whom I have always treated well and openly, and whom I encouraged in his Work) wants to build his tower upon someone else’s ruins, and he managed to hoodwink both Propaganda (but only up to a point) and the Propagation of the Faith, to the detriment of Central Africa. But I am not bothered. The fact is that the Mission of Albert Nyanza does not exist, and none of his missionaries have ever been there, though he gets 70,000 francs a year from Lyons; and the one of Victoria Nyanza is going to pieces; and although he claims in the Annals of Lyons to have triumphed over the Protestants (it’s an empty boast, I would be entirely happy for him to triumph over all the pagans and convert them all, and I would give my life for it), yet those missionaries will be forced to leave. Now I will be careful to see how much those of Lyons and Paris will assign to the Vicariate next July: and if it is not much, I will step forward and let the truth be known, and prove with shining truth that they must not take away from us, who are in the field, to give to those who have never seen Albert Nyanza. Praised be Jesus.

[6508]

I am sending you this corn to have it sown at once either in the Sisters’ garden or in the Saval, or at the Stigmatine nuns, as you see fit. Then from Kordofan I will send you Dokhon (it is our food down there) and you will sow it.
Please greet Fr Luciano for me. I ought and I want to write to him, but the continuous tasks of all kinds have made me leave it half-written, all the way from Suakin.
I received Lotermann’s letter, but I will not waste time writing to him, as he has done nothing yet of all I told him to do.

[6509]

As regards the Pope’s tailor, Giomini, as he has a note of mine, pay him. I intended to let you know while still in Rome: but I did not have the time. Since I had little money there, I asked him to wait until the end of the year, and he kindly agreed. The same for Mr. Tanfani of Rome who is owed for two Bishop’s cushions that I forgot in Verona, or rather, are at the Sisters’, and I (who was not there when they pulled out my faldstool) did not know whether it was there. But in Rome I checked that Mr Tanfani had made it for me, and the two cushions cost 66 lire. So when he asks (I will write to him today) send him the 66 lire. How can I manage to attend to all these little matters only while travelling? Be patient, and God will reward you. As regards Marietti, it is true that I have a Canon since 1872, bought in Turin; but last year when I saw him in Turin he said not a word, and I forgot. I still have a missal. If he writes, reply that I went to Turin in November too, to see him and pay him; but he was not there and I left a visiting card. Give him my regards.
It’s time for the mail, and I will answer your letters the first chance I have.
I also received His Eminence’s letter, and I will reply. Vale et fave.

+ Daniel, Bp.

[6510]

Fr Bortolo has just started today to eat a little broth. It’s an old gastric complaint he’s had for about 20 years, and I think this bout will help clear up the old complaint properly.
I must answer many of your letters written to me and to Fr Losi: but I do not have the energy. I will only tell you that I am suffering greatly for lack of money, and for not having received any from you although you have received about 4,000 francs more from Vienna. Therefore, having commended myself to God I have decided to give you the following orders:

[6511]

1. Send me all the funds that reach you, after the 4,000 francs you have already received from Vienna, and for Cairo, make other arrangements until further notice from me.
2. Every month, send me in Kordofan (not to Khartoum) a report of the debit and credit accounts, gifts received, etc., administrative expenses in Cairo, General Accounts and construction costs. Please do this with your fine method on a sheet of paper.
3. I absolutely forbid the purchase of wine to the value of more than one thousand francs. What has already been ordered for 2,200 francs transeat, but that’s enough. From now on, no more than one thousand francs will be spent on wine.
4. I forbid Benediction to be given in our chapel more than once a week, that is, I forbid the lighting of more than two candles, except when Benediction is celebrated. Make more savings in producing candles. I do not believe a word in your claim that you save in making your own candles which burn too quickly. Have you sent the Arabic books to Verona?
I bless you all

+ Bishop Daniel

[6512]

Tell Faustina that she is a great blockhead, because she has never written to me, and I do wish she would write. Many greetings to Fr Pietro. By the grace of God the mission is going well, much better than I expected. Africa or Death!
Please give my best regards to those two dear Cornetto Institutes, to which I shall write as soon as I have time. The two Sisters from the Piedmont are loved by their Sisters here. But they will be leaving for Kordofan with me next week. Send me Civiltà Cattolica.

[6513]

Please purchase for me eight, or at least six, lengths of that white silk from Aleppo or Damascus of the kind you obtained and sent to Madame Brown a year ago, and send them to me at my address in Khartoum.
I am sending you a letter of credit for 3,000 francs; that is, I have renewed Monsieur Marquet’s letter of credit for 3,000 francs which you wisely refused to pay last year because it was not in order, but which I (having withdrawn the previous one) renewed for Monsieur A. Marquet or his representative to be paid by next 15th April. Please have the money ready therefore to pay this letter of credit by the 15th of April.

[6514]

Bear in mind that we have no more money, and that there are more than 800 thalers to be paid in Kordofan, which have just come to light. Apart from being without money, we must live, and for water alone in Kordofan we have to pay 15 francs a day. So send us money.
At the first opportunity, together with the things that have been ordered, send a decent quantity of almond oil for the Sisters. Be very thrifty, never buy retail (like castor oil) when you can buy wholesale. Fr Bortolo is a bit better. Fr Paolo is cured: he had incipient typhoid.

[6515]

Since Signor Eraldo Dabbene entrusted me with an affair which I have carried out to the letter, I have written him to this effect poste restante in Cairo. Please tell him (you will find him through the Italian Consulate) to go to the post-office where there is a letter of mine for him. He is well accepted in Darfur by Slatin Bey, where he can do much.
This morning I baptised 5 adults, one of whom was a young man of 18 who measures 185cm., an angel, and I married one couple after I had baptised them. Pray for me very much, for I am full of faults and iniquity, and I need it.
Your most affectionate

+ Bishop Daniel

My regards to the Superior of the Jesuits, etc.
Always write your reference number and the date at the beginning and not at the end.