Catéchèse du Pape (02/09/2015)/Pope’s catechesis (02/09/2015)/Catequese do Papa (02/09/2015)

Speaker : Frères et sœurs, la famille a reçu la mission de transmettre la foi autour d’elle. Le primat de l’amour pour le Seigneur ne diminue en rien l’importance des liens familiaux ; il ne nous demande pas d’y être insensibles. Mais, lorsque ces liens sont vécus dans l’obéissance de la foi et dans l’amour de Dieu, ils sont délivrés de l’égoïsme et prennent un sens plus large. La diffusion des sentiments familiaux dans les relations humaines est une bénédiction pour les peuples ; et lorsque les affections familiales se laissent convertir par l’Évangile, elles deviennent capables de choses impensables qui nous font toucher du doigt les œuvres que Dieu accomplit dans notre histoire. Rien ne peut remplacer le rôle capital des familles dans la société. La famille qui répond à l’appel du Seigneur, qui écoute la parole de Dieu et la met en pratique, transforme le monde selon l’alliance de l’homme avec Dieu, le regard tourné vers les générations à venir.

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Saint Père :  

Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini di lingua francese, in particolare i fedeli venuti dal Senegal, accompagnati da Mons. Paul Mamba, Vescovo di Ziguinchor, e i pellegrini dell’Arcidiocesi di  Libreville. Care famiglie, che lo Spirito Santo vi conceda di far brillare sempre il Vangelo intorno a voi. La società ha bisogno della vostra testimonianza di fede e della vostra generosità.

Che Dio vi protegga e vi benedica!

*

Speaker : Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, en particulier les personnes venues du Sénégal, accompagnées de Mgr Paul Mamba, Évêque de Ziguinchor, et les pèlerins de l’archidiocèse de Libreville.

Chères familles, que le Saint Esprit vous donne de rayonner toujours l’Évangile autour de vous. La société a besoin de votre témoignage de foi et de votre générosité.

Que Dieu vous garde et vous bénisse !

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Speaker: Dear Brothers and Sisters:  In our continuing catechesis on the family, today we reflect on the importance of families for spreading the faith, and in this way helping to build a more human society.  Jesus, while affirming the primacy of faith in God, describes his disciples as brothers, sisters and mothers to him.  In the Christian life, these family ties are transformed and enlarged; as spiritual fathers and mothers, as brothers and sisters to one another, and particularly to those in need, we bring the Father’s love to our world.  In this way, we become a blessing, a sign of hope for the renewal of all social relations.  Within families, faith becomes a powerful force for unity and love, and inspires a convincing witness to the Gospel.  How important is this witness in our societies, so often marked by impersonalism and spiritual aridity!  Let us pray for our families, and for all families, that, like the wine of the wedding feast of Cana, they may bring happiness, joy and the warmth of God’s love to our world.

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Holly Father:  

Saluto i pellegrini di lingua inglese presenti all’odierna Udienza, specialmente quelli provenienti da Svezia, Paesi Bassi, Nigeria, Giappone, Malesia e Stati Uniti d’America. Rivolgo un saluto particolare alla Catholic Extension Society statunitense.  Su tutti voi e sulle vostre famiglie, invoco la gioia e la pace nel Signore.  Dio vi benedica!

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Speaker: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from Sweden, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Japan, Malaysia and the United States of America.  My particular greeting goes to the Board of the Catholic Extension Society of the United States. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus.  God bless you all!

***

Speaker: A família possui um papel fundamental na comunicação da fé, transformando a Igreja e o mundo num lugar familiar para o encontro com Deus. Embora algumas passagens do Evangelho possam dar a impressão de que existe uma contraposição entre os laços familiares e o discipulado de Jesus, a verdade é que o Senhor, longe de querer cancelar as exigências do mandamento de honrar pai e mãe, pretende mostrar o lugar primordial da fé nas nossas vidas, usando como referência o amor familiar. Além disso, os laços familiares, quando são iluminados pela fé, ficam protegidos do egoísmo e tornam-se capazes de irem para além de si mesmos, criando uma paternidade e maternidade abertas ao acolhimento de pessoas que se encontram à margem dos laços familiares. Se a família, que escuta a Palavra de Deus e a põe em prática, tivesse o protagonismo do mundo e da história, como seria diversa a situação da economia, do trabalho e do cuidado da terra!

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Santo Padre:  

Rivolgo un cordiale saluto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua portoghese, in particolare agli scouts e fedeli del Portogallo e ai marinai brasiliani. Ricordate sempre che avete, insieme alle vostre famiglie, un ruolo essenziale nella missione evangelizzatrice della Chiesa: bisogna uscire dagli spazi di comodità e dare al mondo la testimonianza dell’amore cristiano che supera ogni barriera e pregiudizio. Dio vi benedica!

*

Speaker: Dirijo uma saudação cordial a todos os peregrinos de língua portuguesa, particularmente aos escuteiros e fiéis de Portugal e aos marinheiros brasileiros. Nunca esqueçais que tendes, junto com vossas famílias, um papel essencial na missão evangelizadora da Igreja: é preciso sair dos espaços de comodidade e dar ao mundo o testemunho do amor cristão que supera todas as barreiras e preconceitos. Que Deus vos abençoe.

Nos fréquences en KHz sur les Ondes courtes (Heure en Temps universel)/ Our frequencies in KHZ on Short Waves (Universal Time)/As nossas frequências e

Anglais-Afrique/ English-Africa/Inglês-África :

5 :00 : 9660 - 11625

7 :00 : 7360 – 13765

8 :30 : 11625 – 13765

19 :30 : 11625 – 13765 - 15570

22 :00 : 13765 – 15570

[Rome: FM: 103.80]

Français-Afrique/French-Africa/Francês-África :

4:30 :  7360 - 9660

6 :30 : 7360 – 13765

8 :00 : 11625 – 13765

19 :00 : 13765 - 15570

22 :30 : 13765 – 15570

[Rome: FM: 103.80]

Portugais-Afrique/ Portuguese-Africa/Português-África :

7 :30 : 7360 – 11625 – 13765

20 :00 : 11625 – 13765 - 15570

[Rome: FM: 103.80]

Kiswahili :

5 :30 : 7360 – 9660

9 :30 : 9660 - 11625

18 :00 : 13765 – 15570

[Rome: FM: 103.80]

NB:

Partout dans le monde, on peut suivre nos programmes à travers notre site internet www.radiovaticana.va.  De même, on peut suivre en direct les images des événements, des cérémonies du Pape sur notre Player video live dont le lien se trouve sur notre site internet.

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Please note that you can follow our programmes at all times, day and night the world over. Just go to www.radiovaticana.va. Also you can follow a live video coverage of Papal events by clicking on the video player on the website.

***

Em todo o mundo é possível seguir os nossos programas através do nosso sito internet www.radiovaticana.va Do mesmo modo, se podem também seguir in directo as imagens dos acontecimentos e cerimónias do Papa  no nosso Player vídeo ao vivo, cujo link também se encontra no nosso sito internet.

PROGRAMME FRANÇAIS-AFRIQUE : SUIVEZ-NOUS SUR FACEBOOK

En plus de notre site internet, vous pouvez aussi suivre de nos nouvelles sur Facebook à l’adresse : Radio Vatican Français-Afrique. Cliquez sur "j'aime" pour interagir.

Avis pour les radios catholiques africaines et les auditeurs de Radio Vatican/ Notice to Catholic Radio Stations in Africa and listeners of Vatican Ra

Radio Vatican avait produit en 2011 un album musical, Afrika tenda amani (fais la paix, Afrique), avec le concours de quelques artistes musiciens africains dont Papa Wemba de la République démocratique du Congo et Bonga d’Angola. Cet album qui accompagne l’exhortation post-synodale Africae munus, reflète les thèmes de la Deuxième assemblée spéciale pour l’Afrique du Synode des Évêques (réconciliation, justice et paix), a été expédié à toutes les radios catholiques africaines par le canal des Pères Evêques diocésains auxquels Radio Vatican a fait parvenir 3 copies.

Si jamais une radio n’a pas encore reçu une copie de cet album, elle peut nous écrire (africa@vatiradio.va) nous en demander. De même, nous disposons de quelques exemplaires pour nos auditeurs qui en feront la demande. Mais la quantité est fort limitée.

P. Jean-Pierre Bodjoko, SJ

Responsable du Bureau de Promotion de Radio Vatican pour la zone Afrique

E-mail : africa@vatiradio.va

***

In 2011, Vatican Radio produced a music album titled Afrika tenda amani (Make Peace, Africa), with the help of a few African musicians including Papa Wemba of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bonga from Angola. Three copies of the CD album, which accompanied the publication of the post-synodal exhortation Africae munus  and reflects on the themes of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (reconciliation, justice and peace) was sent to all  Catholic radio stations in Africa through the local bishops.

If your radio station has not yet received a copy of this album, please write to africa@vatiradio.va to request a copy. Also, we have a limited number of copies for our listeners who may also send their requests to the above email address.

Fr. Jean-Pierre Bodjoko, SJ

Head of the Promotions Office for Africa

Vatican Radio

***

A Rádio Vaticano tinha produzido em 2011 um álbum musical denominado Afrika Tenda Amani (faz a paz, África), com a participação de alguns artistas músicos africanos, dentre os quais Papa Wemba da República Democrática do Congo e Bonga de Angola. Este álbum, que acompanha a Exortação pós-sinodal Africae Munus reflecte os temas da Segunda Assembleia Especial para a África do Sínodo dos Bispos (reconciliação, justiça e paz), e foi enviado a todas as Rádios Católicas africanas através dos Senhores Bispos Diocesanos aos quais a Rádio Vaticano fez chegar três cópias.

Se por acaso alguma Rádio ainda não recebeu uma cópia deste álbum, podem nos escrever (africa@vatiradio.va) para solicitá-lo. Da mesma forma, também dispomos de alguns exemplares para os nossos ouvintes que o solicitem. Mas a quantidade é muito limitada.

P. Jean-Pierre Bodjoko, SJ

Responsável do Departamento de Promoção da Rádio Vaticano, para a região África

E-mail: africa@vatiradio.va

Adresses utiles pour Radio Vatican/Useful contacts of Vatican Radio/Endereço

P. Federico LOMBARDI, SJ

Directeur Général/General Director/Director Geral

e-mail: lombardi@vatiradio.va

M. 

Relations Internationales/International Relations/ Relações Internacionais

e-mail : relint@vatiradio.va

Tel : +39.06.698.83945

P. Jean-Pierre BODJOKO, SJ

Responsable Bureau de Promotion-Afrique/Head of Africa’s Promotion Office/ Responsável

Sector de promoção-Afrique

e-mail: africa@vatiradio.va

Tel : +39.06.698.83366

SANTA SÉ/ANGOLA : Papa aos jovens: sede testemunhas do Evangelho e semeadores de esperança

Testemunhar a mensagem do Evangelho e tornar-se semeadores de esperança e amor: é o convite do Papa Francisco aos jovens angolanos que nos últimos dias estiveram reunidos em Huambo para a primeira Jornada Nacional da juventude católica. O evento realizou-se de 26 a 30 de agosto e foi organizado pela Conferência Episcopal de Ango,a e São Tomé (CEAST), e teve como tema "Jovens sede testemunhas do amor de Cristo". Foram cerca de três mil os participantes, para quem o Papa enviou uma saudação por meio de uma mensagem assinada pelo Cardeal Secretário de Estado, Pietro Parolin.

No documento, os jovens são convidados a reacender no nosso coração "a chama do amor de Cristo" e a "demonstrar a sua força na transformação da sociedade", "empenhando-se com determinação, a fim de construir uma sociedade mais acolhedora, justa e fraterna". Ao mesmo tempo, a mensagem papal exorta os jovens a "um renovado empenho na promoção dos verdadeiros valores humanos, morais e espirituais que inspiram os indivíduos, as famílias e a sociedade angolana na busca do bem comum, enraizado na concórdia, na justiça e no respeitando dos direitos da pessoa humana". Por fim, o Papa Francisco concede a todos os jovens participantes na Jornada a sua bênção apostólica.

Por seu lado, o secretário nacional da Pastoral Juvenil da CEAST, padre Armando Alberto Pinho, salientou que a Jornada "um encontro de fé com Deus", teve como objectivo promover vocações à vida sacerdotal e religiosa, encorajando os jovens também ao diálogo na Igreja e outras realidades sociais.

A seguir, o texto integral da mensagem do Papa assinada pelo Cardeal Secretário do Estado, Pietro Parolin:

O Papa Francisco apreciou vivamente a mensagem amiga que lhe chegou da juventude angolana e santomense reunida no Huambo e pede que lhes faça saber que faz Suas, como voto bem sincero, as palavras do lema que aí os congrega: «Reacender em cada jovem a chama do amor de Cristo»,pois Ele há-de sempre ser a força da vossa força jovem, «e demonstrar a força da juventude na transformação da sociedade», num decidido compromisso cristão para darem testemunho da mensagem evangélica e fazerem-se semeadores de esperança e amor a fim de se construir uma sociedade mais acolhedora, justa e fraterna. Ao mesmo tempo, anima a todos a um renovado empenho na promoção dos verdadeiros valores humanos, morais e espirituais que inspirem os indivíduos, as famílias, e a sociedade angolana e santomense na busca do bem comum enraizado na concórdia, na justiça e no respeito dos direitos da pessoa humana. Com votos que partem do seu afecto cordial de Pai Comum para com os jovens e da sua oração a Cristo, o Amigo dos jovens, o Santo Padre retribui as saudações e envia aos jovens participantes nas Primeiras Jornadas Nacionais da Juventude e extensiva aos organizadores e familiares, a Bênção Apostólica.

Do Vaticano 29 de Agosto de 2015

† Pietro Cardeal Parolin

P. Bernardo SUATE,                                    Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português 

Cardinal Francis Arinze : 50 years as a Bishop

Yesterday Saturday 29 August 2015, Francis Cardinal Arinze, 82, marked fifty years as a Bishop. In an interview with Vatican Radio’s English Africa Service to mark to the milestone, Cardinal Arinze was in high spirits.

Although now retired and living in the Vatican , Cardinal Arinze is very much sought after and continues to travel, take on speaking engagements and he writes. He has just completed two books, one of which is about Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi.

The Cardinal is also proud and very upbeat about the state of the Church in his country of origin, Nigeria . “How would you explain this faith (of the Nigerian Catholic Church)? The people believe; the clergy is motivated; the religious are quite a number and they serve the people; the lay people are wonderfully committed!” he exclaims. He puts it down to divine providence.

At fifty years as a Bishop in the Catholic Church and as one of its Cardinals what are his sentiments today? “What comes to mind spontaneously is gratitude to God…also gratitude to all the people who have helped me along the way since I was ordained priest in 1958 and Bishop in 1965. No one is a priest or Bishop or Cardinal for himself. It is always for the Church, for others. It is they that we serve and it is with them that we move along. To all these people I remain grateful,” he says.

If he were to name a secret to his illustrious apostolate, what would it be? “I don't have a big secret in the sense of hidden but perhaps big, in the sense of Jesus Christ, himself, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist,” Cardinal Arinze responds.

The Cardinal says that it is the Lord Jesus principally in the Holy Mass that he celebrates every day who motivates him…but also Jesus Christ in, “in the tabernacle…Christ in the Holy Eucharist is my secret. Along with Christ is his (Jesus’)Blessed Mother, Mary, whom he gave us on the cross and who in turn gave us Christ on Christmas day,” he explains.

Cardinal Arinze says that the resurrection and the presence of Christ, “with the Apostles between Ascension day and Pentecost –the first novena,” is a source of great consolation to him. It is a reassurance that Jesus continues to be with us, even to this day. Our Lord Jesus was with the Apostles, “on Pentecost day when the Church was made manifest to the world and was with the early Church after Pentecost. So, Jesus and Mary are my secret, “he finally reveals.

The state of the Catholic Church in Nigeria , his country of origin, is very important to Cardinal Arinze. It fills him with great joy.

“We thank God that he has given strong faith to the Church in Nigeria . How would you explain this faith? The people believe; the clergy is motivated; the religious are quite a number and they serve the people; the lay people are wonderfully committed! The lay apostolate is very well-organised at the provincial, diocesan and parish levels. It is very encouraging, “the Cardinal says.

Asked why this is so when so many Catholics in the world are struggling in their faith? Cardinal Arinze says, “The Strength of the Church in Nigeria can be attributed (first) to divine providence because God is the director general of the work of evangelization. Second, African traditional religions were a providential preparation for Christianity in Nigeria . In other words, the traditional religions of the people, before the arrival of Christianity and before the arrival of Islam (predisposed the people for the kind of evangelization that came afterwards). The people of Africa with traditional religions believed in one God; they honoured the ancestors and honoured good spirits and tried to avoid the evil spirits. The (Africans) had a religion with prayer, with sacrifice and with a priesthood. When Christianity arrived, especially the Catholic faith, it was like midday Sunshine to a people who were looking for light at 4 O’clock in the morning,” Cardinal Arinze affirms.

He goes on to commend Irish missionaries who were among the earliest in Nigeria .“Another explanation is the good work done by the missionaries especially the Irish missionaries. The Irish were very methodical. They promoted good Catechetical Sacramental preparation and they attended to families,” he emphasises.

Cardinal Arinze also credits his own people, the Nigerians, for the manner in which they received the message of Christ. “We very much thank God for the local people’s response. The first Catechists who were near the missionaries; those who gave missionaries land and helped them with the (local) languages and then the first priests and the religious and the first bishops and the present ones, lay people and families... I believe for all these reasons, the Church in the country is rather strong,” Cardinal Arinze says.

It has often been said that Cardinal Arinze’s life, from the start, was greatly influenced by Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi whom he knew personally. When asked about this, the Cardinal says, “Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi is the first priest that I ever knew. He began our parish in Onitsha , in 1940. He baptised me. My first confession was at his hands; first communion from his hands; he prepared me for confirmation and I was his Mass Server in 1945.” He continues, “The area where Blessed Tansi worked has many vocations to the priesthood and religious life because of the person he was,” the Cardinal says.

According to Cardinal Arinze, Blessed Tansi was a model priest. He promoted the Catholic faith and schooling for children. He championed women’s issues often standing up against entrenched local traditional customs. Blessed Tansi also promoted family life.

“Fr. Tansi was also known for asceticism. He ate very little,” says Cardinal Arinze and tongue-in-cheek adds, “His cook did not have much work.”

Later, Tansi became a Cistercian Monk at Mount Saint Bernard Monastery in Nottingham , England . He joined the Cistercians of the Strict Observance sometimes called the Trappists. Tansi took on the name Cyprian when he became a monk. He was a diocesan priest for 13 years and a Monk for 14 years. He died in 1964 and was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II on 22nd March 1998, in Nigeria .

Of the beatification, Cardinal Arinze says,“One million or two million people were at that Mass. We are now looking forward to a miracle so that Tansi can be canonised. I have written a book about him and this book is expected this year.”

Several events are lined up for the celebration of Cardinal Arinze’s golden jubilee as a Bishop. There will be Mass at the ‘Altare della Cattedra’ in St Peter’s Basilica on the evening of 26 October 2015. This will be a day following the closure of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, scheduled to take place in the Vatican from 4 October to the 25 October. The timing of the golden jubilee Mass in St. Peter’s should provide opportunity for friends of the Cardinal to be present. Priests, the religious, friends and the Nigerian community in Italy will certainly attend.

Apart from other smaller private functions, the big jubilee celebration that should crown all celebrations is probably the one scheduled for Onitsha , Nigeria on 28 November. It is the last day of the liturgical year. Many people in Nigeria will certainly not want to miss that one.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, was born on 1 November 1932 in Eziowelle, a city of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria. He was ordained priest during a ceremony which took place at the Church of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome on 23 November 1958. On 29 August 1965 he was ordained coadjutor Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and became the substantive Archbishop two years later. In 1984 Pope St. John Paul II asked him to head, as pro-president, the Secretariat for Non-Christians (now the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue). He was created Cardinal on 25 May 1985.

Since the year 2005, Cardinal Arinze holds the title of Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni.

Fr. Paul SAMASUMO,                                 Vatican Radio                        e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va

Beatification of Benedict Daswa to be broadcast live of Africa ’s DSTV

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) says that the beatification ceremony of Benedict Daswa on 13 September will be broadcast live on digital satellite television via the DSTV channel 404 on the SABC News Channel. This was announced by Fr Smilo Mngadi of SACBC.

DSTV’s audio channel 870 or audio-streaming will also carry the event live. Other local channels are expected to broadcast live the event of South Africa ’s first ever beatification.

DSTV’s subscription satellite is popular across Africa .

Benedict Daswa will be beatified at the Benedict Daswa shrine Tshitanini near Thohoyandou ( Venda ) Limpopo Province . Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will preside over the ceremony.

Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa was born in 1946 in the village of Mbahe , South Africa . He was given the name Samuel by his parents. When he started school he assumed the name, Benedict. Benedict Daswa was baptised a Catholic on 21 April 1963.

He trained as a primary school teacher and later became the principal of Nweli Primary School . In 1980 he married Shadi who converted to Catholicism. They went on to have eight children.

Described as a highly skilled educator and an exemplary husband and father, Daswa was involved in the parish community as Catechist, liturgical animator, promotor of works of charity and a builder of justice and peace.

In his private and public life, Daswa took a strong stand against witchcraft, rife throughout the region, because it sometimes led to the killing of innocent people.

One day, on 2 February 1990, a group of men brutally attacked Daswa not far from his home because of his anti-witchcraft stance. He was praying on his knees when his executioners killed him. His fame as a martyr soon spread throughout the province and each year, on the anniversary of his death, a growing number of people would make a pilgrimage to his grave which is currently located in a small cemetery near his home.

Paul SAMASUMO,                           Vatican Radio (e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va )

ÁFRICA : SCEAM/SECAM com estatuto de Observador Permanente junto da UA

O SCEAM, ou SECAM, Simpósio das Conferências Episcopais da África, assinaram há poucos dias um importante memorando de entendimento com a UA. O SCEAM passa assim a ter estatuto de observador permanente no seio da UA. O Acordo foi assinado pelo Presidente do SCEAM, D. Gabriel Mbilingi e pela Comissária para os Assuntos Políticos da UA, Aisha L. Addulahi.

Segundo Berhanu Tamene Woldeyohanes, responsável pela Comissão Justiça, Paz e Desenvolvimento do SCEAM e encarregado do escritório de ligação com a UA, a finalidade do Memorando é intensificar as relações de colaboração entre as Conferências Episcopais e os Governos da África com o intento de contribuir para o desenvolvimento integral e participativo no continente à luz da exortação Apostólica “Africae Munus”; permitirá, de modo particular, coordenar as iniciativas sociais da Igreja com a UA com vista na implementação da “Agenda 2063” , o projecto assinado pelos Estados africanos em 2013, por ocasião dos 50 anos da UA e que tem em vista a criação de uma estratégia comum a longo prazo para harmonizar os vários planos de desenvolvimento nacionais, regionais e continentais.

Os objectivos fixados pela “Agenda 2063” , data do centenário da UA, dizem respeito essencialmente a diversos aspectos, entre os quais a identidade e o renascimento africano; a luta contra o colonialismo e o direito à autodeterminação dos povos ainda sob regime colonial; a integração da África; a determinação do continente em assumir o próprio destino; o lugar da África no cenário mundial.

Para tornar a “Agenda 2063” mais facilmente realizável, foram fixados objectivos intermédios: de 25, 10 e 5 anos, para além dos planos de acção a breve prazo. A primeira importante etapa deste processo arrancou este ano com a adopção por parte dos países membros da UA do primeiro plano decenal

Dulce ARAÚJO,                               Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

SCEAM : Rencontre des femmes catholiques à Nairobi

Le Cardinal John Njue, archevêque de Nairobi, Kenya, a exhorté les femmes catholiques africaines, rassemblées en réunion panafricaine des associations des femmes catholiques, å aller dans le monde et d’y marquer la différence au sein de leurs familles, de leurs communautés ecclésiales vivantes de base, et dans la société en général, en exprimant ouvertement leur foi dans toutes les activités qu’elles ont à entreprendre en vue de bâtir la culture de la paix, de la réconciliation et du développement en Afrique.

S’adressant aux femmes au cours de leur session de clôture de la réunion panafricaine des femmes catholiques organisée à Nairobi par le SCEAM, du 30 août au 3 septembre, le Cardinal Njue leur a également demandé d’être vigilantes et de tenir fermes pour défendre de l’Eglise face aux nouvelles formes idéologies et attaques qui visent å détruire l’Eglise catholique.

« Je vous encourage à affirmer et à défendre votre dignité de femmes, de mères et d’épouses pour user de votre pouvoir de persuasion pour défendre l’Eglise en tout temps et à promouvoir la cohabitation pacifique des peuples dans notre cher continent, l’Afrique», le Cardinal a invité les mamans.

Le Cardinal Njue a recommandé avec insistance aux femmes catholiques de retourner dans leur pays comme des personnes plus renouvelées et plus réconciliées avec leurs maris et leurs enfants. En les exhortant à enraciner leur vie dans la prière fervente et persévérante, ainsi que dans la pratique régulière des sacrements de leur foi et de l’Eglise, le Cardinal leur a rappelé que « la femme est l’image de l’amour de Dieu comme l’homme est l’image de la paternité de Dieu ». Il leur enfin demandé de demeurer toujours proches de Dieu à travers la prière comme dialogue permanent avec Dieu et l’écoute et la méditation de la Parole de Dieu dans leurs taches quotidiennes.

Le Cardinal a conclu en assurant les femmes de ses prières et de celles de tous les évêques d’Afrique dans leur apostolat de laïcs.

Une explication des symboles du logo du SCEAM pour la célébration de l’Année africaine de la Réconciliation , du 29 juillet 2015 au 29 juillet 2016, a été donnée au Cardinal par le Père Edouard Mombili, secrétaire général de l’Association des conférences épiscopales d’Afrique centrale (ACEAC), avant que le logo lui-même ne soit offert en cadeau au Cardinal par le Père Samuel de Jésus Paquete, deuxième secrétaire général adjoint du SCEAM.

La réunion a eu pour theme: « La femme africaine vers l’Année africaine de la Réconciliation ». Y ont pris part des délégations venant de 18 pays africains.

La réunion de trois jours était organisée par le Symposium des conférences épiscopales d’Afrique et de Madagascar (SCEAM) avec l’appui de MISSIO, Aachen, Allemagne, et le Fonds de solidarité de la Conférence des évêques catholiques des Etats-Unis d’Amérique [the Solidarity Fund of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)], deux parmi les agences partenaires du SCEAM et abritée par l’Association des membres des conférences Episcopales d’Afrique de l’Est (AMECEA).

Benedict ASSOROW,                            Director of Communications, SECAM

NIGÉRIA : Card. Onaiyekan 500 dias depois do sequestro das meninas: Boko Haram rumo à derrota

500 dias depois do sequestro de mais de 200 alunas por militantes do Boko Haram, na noite de 14 de abril de 2014, na localidade do Estado de Borno, no norte da Nigéria, foi proclamada nesta quinta-feira uma marcha para recordá-las. Das "Meninas de Chibok", como são agora conhecidas em todo o mundo, neste momento ainda não há notícias "de facto, agora tememos que muitas estejam já mortas ou a caminho do suicídio": palavras do Cardeal John Onaiyekan, arcebispo de Abuja, ao microfone de Maria Caterina Bombarda:

Hoje é um dia especial, que abrange toda a população nigeriana. Na verdade, havia o perigo que a gente esquecesse, porque depois do desastre das "Chibok Girls" (meninas de Chibok), houve outros desastres, outros sequestros de modo que se corre o risco de não mais considera-la como uma grande coisa. Mas hoje, para os 500 dias do sequestro, todos devem recordar!

O que se sabe, hoje, daquelas meninas?

Não se sabe mesmo nada! Há histórias, boatos, mas notícias propriamente ditas não existem ... Antes pelo contrário, temos sempre medo que talvez estas meninas já morreram, ou que estão já a caminho do suicídio, a que nós assistimos todos os dias ... Algumas delas, poucos meses atrás, regressara, mas muito poucas. E as pessoas que conseguiram escapar do controle do Boko Haram disseram que viram as "Chibok Girls". Parece que os terroristas as mantêm separadas dos outros refugiados que estão com eles, porque eles sabem o valor simbólico destas "Chibok Girls". Dizem-nos que algumas delas já se tornaram membros do Boko Haram, passaram para a parte deles, enquanto algumas outras - de acordo com aquilo que nos informam– recusaram de converter-se ao islamismo e de ir com o Boko Haram ... com consequências que só podemos imaginar.

Qual é a situação, hoje?

Agora pode-se dizer que houve progresso, no sentido de que quase todo o território nigeriano que Boko Haram tinha conquistado, foi libertado. Diz-se que toda a organização Boko Haram foi desmantelada e isto quer dizer que, do ponto de vista militar, caminhamos para o fim. Se é verdade, vamos vê-lo em breve. No entanto, o presidente prometeu aos nigerianos que em três meses no máximo vai colocar fim a esta coisa. Mas também podemos acrescentar: mesmo quando Boko Haram não representará qualquer perigo militar, existe ainda muito trabalho a fazer, e talvez será o trabalho mais difícil, ou seja, ganhar a paz naquelas zonas.

Sempre tem afirmado que não se trata de cristãos contra muçulmanos, mas que Boko Haram são terroristas que querem destruir o Estado ...

Eu dizia estas coisas há três anos atrás, e quando as disse houve pessoas que me acusaram de não querer reconhecer a verdade, isto é - segundo eles - que se tratava de um plano de muçulmanos. Pelo menos hoje vemos as coisas de maneira muito mais clara: não é verdade que todos os muçulmanos estão por detrás do Boko Haram e contra os cristãos; agora vemos que aqueles que mais sofrem e se preocupam mais do Boko Haram são mesmo os muçulmanos da Nigéria, e em particular a comunidade muçulmana daquela área.

Como se sai desta espiral?

Em minha opinião, já iniciámos, no sentido de que a comunidade muçulmana da Nigéria já aceitou, finalmente, o facto de que os Boko Haram pertencem à casa do Islão e, agora, cabe à comunidade muçulmana encontrar a maneira de não dar apoio a estas pessoas, que são terroristas, extremistas. Não são muitos, mas são perigosos.

P. Bernardo SUATE,                             Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

Official Statement on Pope Francis’ visit to Africa to be made in September

The Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya (and South Sudan) Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo has said that the proposed Apostolic visit of the Holy Father to Africa, the first to the continent since he became Pope, is being worked on, revealing that the trip would involve three capitals beginning with Nairobi in Kenya, then Uganda’s capital Kampala and conclude with Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.

In an exclusive interview with CANAA on Tuesday, 25 August at his residence in Nairobi , Archbishop Balvo said that an official statement about the proposed November Apsotolic visit will be released in September and the full formal announcement including details of the trip published sometime in October.

The proposed pastoral visit by the Holy Father is being scheduled for the last week in November.

Meanwhile, Rose Achiego of Catholic Waumini communications in Kenya has told Vatican Radio's English Service for Africa that the The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop Philip Anyolo,yesterday 27 August, officially announced the coming of Pope Francis to Kenya in a letter to the Christian faithful issued on behalf of the Bishops. Bishop Anyolo said, “The Holy Father has accepted our invitation and will visit Kenya in November 2015.”

Bishop Anyolo, who is the Bishop of Homabay also revealed that the Pope’s visit is a state and pastoral visit, hence the Church will collaborate with the Government of Kenya on logistics.

Below is the full interview with the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Balvo about the proposed trip of the Holy Father to Africa .

CANAA : On June 12 this year, the Holy Father reportedly confirmed his first trip to Africa since becoming Pope. He said that he would visit the Central African Republic and Uganda in November this year, and that Kenya would only be a possibility. What do you know lately about the Pope’s visit to Africa ?

Apostolic Nuncio : Earlier than this, when he was returning from Asia last year, in one of his conversations with the journalists, he indicated his interest (to visit Africa ). He had mentioned first to Central African Republic and also Uganda . I think it was in relation to the political situation in Central African Republic , the serious unrest, the violence, that was a concern to him. These kind of things, migrants, immigrants, places where there is some social unrest, are of special concern to him. If people can remember, the first trip out of Rome that he made was to the small island of Lampedusa , where many of the migrants on these ramshackle boats that leave the North African coast often end up.

As far as I am concerned, when I was first informed in the middle of June (2015), the capitals of the three countries were on the Pope’s planned trip: Nairobi , Kampala , and Bangui . I don’t know if the visit of the Kenyan Bishops after Easter for their Ad Limina probably had something to do with it, because when the Pope receives bishops from all over the world for their Ad Limina visits, I’m sure they all say, ‘Holy Father come and visit us.’

Considering that he wanted already to come to East and Central Africa, adding Kenya and considering Nairobi as a major hub for Eastern Africa , then this would be the first stop. In essence, from my first hearing of this, Kenya was part of the programme.

CANAA : As far as I know, there has not yet been a formal announcement about the Pope’s visit to Kenya . When can we expect this?

Apostolic Nuncio: The first formal and official announcement will take place in September, indicating that the Pope is visiting these three countries. About a month later, the full formal announcement including the details of the trip will be published, because it has to be coordinated with the three countries.

I have an idea obviously of the programme here, but I do not know at all what is going to take place in Uganda specifically. There is always going to be Mass in any of these places. In Kampala you have the Martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo and the Pope is surely going there.

CANAA : Even as we wait for the formal announcement and the official release of the schedule, what kind of programme do you foresee?

Apostolic Nuncio : There are activities that are already in the planning. There is the welcoming at the Airport on Wednesday afternoon. At that point, it is the State involvement and there is the welcome at State House. On Thursday, there will be Mass, the meeting with priests and religious, then there will be a short visit to the United Nations office in Gigiri, Nairobi . Friday morning, there will be a visit to a slum, and then the youth at Kasarani Stadium, then he leaves in the afternoon for Uganda .

So, we have a proposed schedule, we have to put specific times and places. We have concrete ideas, we just have to finalise them. The visit as planned will be from here (in Nairobi ), Wednesday the 25th (November )to Friday the 27th midday-afternoon, then he continues on to Uganda , and as far as I know, two nights in Uganda and one night in Central African Republic .

CANAA : This is going to be a complex visit involving the State and the Catholic Church in Kenya , isn’t it?

Apostolic Nuncio : The Papal visits are always pastoral visits. They have some governmental State aspects to them, but the primary purpose is to visit the local Church in each and every place that the Pope goes to, but there is always some relationship with the host government as well. Here that will take place pretty much at the beginning. But the day-and-a-half that the Pope is really here is dedicated to the Church.

CANAA : What preparations would you recommend for ordinary citizens of these countries, ahead of the Papal pastoral visit?

Apostolic Nuncio : Well certainly the local Church through the Bishops’ Conferences has Commissions to prepare the different aspects of the visit. It is obvious that in any Papal visit anywhere, not everyone can see the Holy Father, or hear him, that can’t just happen. He is just coming to Nairobi and there is going to be a limited number of people who’ll actually see him and hear him speak.

The Bishops have the theme for the visit,“To stay strong in the faith.” In parishes, they (faithful) can participate in organised activities like Masses, talks, prayer sessions, Small Christian Communities to reflect upon the faith.

CANAA : As the representative of the Pope in Kenya and South Sudan, the Pope, or at least the Pope’s representatives at the Vatican , will surely be consulting with you ahead of this pastoral visit. What do you think will be his message when he finally comes?

Apostolic Nuncio : As far as the Holy Father’s message is concerned, he will receive suggestions from the local Bishops and the Nuncio along some themes and ideas. But we don’t know what is in his heart and what he wants to say here. We will not know that until he actually says it.

The Holy Father is the shepherd of the Church throughout the world. He has a message for the Americans, for Latin Americans, for Europeans, for Asians; what his message will be specifically for Africans, we’ll know when he comes. We know already some main themes of his Papacy: the notion of the Church as being open and welcoming, inclusive, as he says the world being a battlefield and the Church is a field hospital, helping people who are trying to respond to the needs of humanity. These are obviously general themes: poverty, simplicity, humility. Any specific idea that he may have at the back of his mind that he wants to communicate in his first trip to Africa , that we’ll know when he comes.

CANAA : What does this visit mean to you personally?

Apostolic Nuncio : Well, I have had the experience of Papal visits. In 1997, I was the Secretary at the Nunciature in the Czech Republic when the Pope (John Paul II) made a trip there; it was the commemoration of 1,000 years of a particular saint of that region.

In the year 2000 when Pope John Paul II wanted to commemorate the great Jubilee with pilgrimages to different places, he started his Holy Land trip in March 2000 in Jordan where I was assigned. There, I was alone in the Nunciature in the sense that the Nuncio lived in Iraq and because of the embargo at the time, communications were reduced, traveling was only by road, so the Nuncio would only come from time to time, so I had a lot to do with the local Church of course. So, that was invaluable experience for me to know in general the kind of things you need to do for the preparation of a Papal visit and there are pretty much the same. You have to organize all the things about the press and communications, security, transportation, and then what is going to happen, the various liturgies or encounters, the meetings, prayers, etc.

The Commissions of the Bishops’conference and their committees will do the bulk of the work for the local Church. The State has its part, but that is really very limited, whereas much of the footwork will be done by the local Church.

CANAA : You have talked about a limited number of people being able to actually see the Pope during his visit. How do you think the limiting of people can be handled?

Apostolic Nuncio : I really don’t know how they will do it. In certain places, and I say this from my lived experience that I had from my home country in the Archdiocese of New York when they had these events, each parish is given a certain number of pass tickets. Then it is up to the Parish Priest. They may have a lottery.

For example, when we have Mass in a park, a great many people can participate. So, whether the Bishops will organise that each diocese can send a delegation, each parish in Nairobi, since it is the closest, can send a delegation, they will organise how best to do that. The Church will try to get as much of a representation as possible for the different events.

It will really be up to the Bishops how they do it for the different dioceses, parishes, institutions, and all those who will be able to participate. The rest, obviously you have communications and I am sure that certain events like the Mass and the youth gathering can be transmitted by the Kenyan television and broadcast on radio, so that people can have access. I realise that in rural areas the access is limited, but most people can somehow get radio.

CANAA : Any last message with regard to the visit of the Holy Father to this part of the world?

Apostolic Nuncio : Well, I know that the Bishops here have chosen as their theme “To stand strong in the faith,” and I think that when the Holy Father comes, one of the tasks that Jesus gave to St. Peter (and just before he denied that he had known Jesus) was to strengthen his brothers in the faith. I think the Holy Father wants to do that, to strengthen his brothers and sisters in the faith, his presence to be a kind of something that will push people to encourage to live their faith not only interiorly in their life of prayer but also in their life in influencing society so that the society in Kenya can also be even more filled with the values, which come from the gospel for our faith.

Fr. Don Bosco ONYALLA,                         CANAA, Nairobi       e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va

Bishop calls Swazis to prayer, reflection and solidarity

In Swaziland , following the tragic accident, that happened along the Mbabane-Manzini highway, in which many young girls and women were killed, Bishop José Luis Ponce de León of Manzini diocese has issued a statement entitled, 'It is Rachel weeping for her children.' In the statement, the Bishop has called Swazis to prayer and reflection.

(e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va )

Here is the full statement:

'It is Rachel weeping for her children'

To:

The priests, the religious

and all God's people

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Peace!

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more” (Jer 31:15). Jeremiah's words quoted also by Matthew (2: 17 – 18) sadly resound once again among us. We mourn the death of so many young girls at the accident on Friday 28 August 2015.

Let this be a time of prayer.I ask you all from today until next Sunday (06 September) to pray daily for those who died asking the Lord to welcome them home. Let us also pray for their families and friends that “the God of all consolation” (2 Cor 1:3) gives them peace and strength.

May it be a time of deep reflection in our lives. “‘Who, then, is the wise and trustworthy servant whom the master placed over his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Mt 24:45) Each one of us had been entrusted by God with the safety and dignity of these young people. Aside from those directly responsible for Friday's accident, we need to ask ourselves if there was anything more we could have done to prevent it. Why do we wait until something like this happens before we take every single life seriously?

Let it be a time of solidarity. I call on you all to be close to the families of these children and to support them in every possible way.

The Catholic Church in Swaziland is grateful for the prayer and solidarity messages from Cardinal Napier OFM and Archbishop Brislin in the name of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC).

Fraternally Yours in Christ,

+ José Luis Ponce de León IMC

Bishop of Manzini

Bishop Raymond Mpezele urges faithful towards charity

The Catholic Bishop of Livingstone in Zambia, Raymond Mpezele has called upon the faithful of the diocese to be inspired by God in their works of charity in order to make other people’s lives especially the less privileged in the society better.

Speaking during the Golden Jubilee celebration of Maria Regina, Linda parish in his diocese on Saturday, 22 August, 2015 Bishop Mpezele said it was a duty of everyone to ensure that lives of those deprived in society are made better.

“God can use anyone among us or outside to bring development to people’s lives. So I encourage every one of us here to allow God to use us in order to make other people’s live better. Let’s keep up the spirit of charity and cooperation,” Bishop Mpezele said.

Speaking at the same function Zambia ’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda who represented the Zambian Government, said the gathering of people in numbers to celebrate the Parish’s 50 years signified how Zambians are united with Jesus Christ.

He further acknowledged the immense contribution of the Catholic Church in the country on developmental issues.

Mwenya MUKUKA,                                    Communications Officer Zambia Episcopal Conference

NIGÉRIA : Bispos luta contra a corrupção e defesa da família

O combate à corrupção e a defesa da família fundada no matrimónio entre homem e mulher foram os dois pilares da Plenária dos Bispos católicos da Província Eclesiástica de Ibadan, na Nigéria. O evento decorreu nos dias 17 e 18 de agosto, e viu reunidos - pela segunda vez em 2015- os bispos de Ibadan, Ondo, Ilorin, Oyo, Ekiti e Osogbo. No fim dos trabalhos, foi emitido um comunicado intitulado "Escolhei hoje a quem quereis servir" (Josué 24,15). O documento está subdividido em cinco pontos e é assinado por Dom Gabriel Abegunrin e Dom Felix Ajakaye, respectivamente Presidente e Secretário da Província Eclesiástica de Ibadan.

No texto, os bispos nigerianos exortam aos cidadãos nigerianos a cooperar com as instituições para reabilitar o país, "demonstrando uma determinação comum para rejeitar a corrupção, o nepotismo, o favoritismo e restaurando um regime de justiça e igualdade, em que se respeitem os méritos e predomine o estado de direito". Em segundo lugar, tendo em vista o 14° Sínodo Geral Ordinário sobre a família, a ter lugar no Vaticano de 4 a 25 de outubro, os bispos de Ibadan convidam os seus delegados na Assembleia "a levar corajosamente o testemunho do plano de Deus para a humanidade na criação do homem e da mulher e dos laços familiares”.

"Diante de fortes oposições –escrevem os bispos - o mundo actual receberá grandes benefícios da confirmação do significado do matrimónio como uma união entre um homem e uma mulher e, pela graça de Deus, com os filhos", que dela nascerem. "Reiteramos a nossa convicção absoluta - continuam os bispos - na santidade da vida humana e da família, e ressaltamos que é dever das autoridades garantir que a existência do homem seja tutelada da sua concepção até à morte natural". Daí, o apelo à sociedade para que "faça todo o possível para facilitar o crescimento da família como um modo de promover a genitorialidade responsável, a boa educação dos filhos e a redução da delinquência juvenil". Por sua parte, a Igreja nigeriana reafirma o seu compromisso no combate contra "as ideologias e actividades contra a vida”.

Em seguida, os bispos nigerianos dirigem um apelo especial aos jovens, "demasiado frequentemente acusados de violência, delinquências e crimes vários". Por isso, os bispos os exortam a redobrar os esforços para "mudar esta opinião" generalizada, para se tornarem "agentes credíveis de mudança e apóstolos da misericórdia de Deus na família, no País e no mundo". "Isso deve ser feito - sublinha a Província Eclesiástica de Ibadan – por meio de um positivo empenho nos meios de comunicação contemporâneos e a escolha deliberada de bons costumes e comportamentos", porque "é bom que os jovens se lembrem que, em qualquer relação, a honestidade continua a ser a melhor política e a marca distintiva da fé e do cristianismo”.

Olhando para o Ano da vida consagrada, convocado pelo Papa Francisco e em curso até 2 de fevereiro de 2016, os bispos recomendam aos consagrados a aproveitar a oportunidade para renovarem o seu voto por um empenho total a Cristo, trabalhando para "despertar o mundo", como escreveu o Papa na Carta de proclamação do evento. As últimas linhas da nota episcopal, recordam enfim que "a Nigéria tem sido reconhecida como uma das nações mais religiosas do mundo" e exortam os fiéis a rezar para o bem do País.

P. Bernardo SUATE,                                    Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

BENIN : Pèlerinage Marial National Dassa 2015

« Marie, Educatrice et Protectrice des Âmes consacrées ». C’est le thème du 61è pèlerinage marial national du Bénin qui a rassemblé les 21, 22 et 23 août 2015 autour de la Vierge Marie, Notre      Dame Arigbo de Dassa-Zoumè, des centaines de milliers de fidèles chrétiens catholiques, des autorités politiques et administratives dont le président de la République, Boni Yayi, des chefs des religions traditionnelles ainsi que de  curieux de tous genres pour rendre grâce à Dieu et confier  à nouveau à cette mère du Ciel leurs pays, leurs  joies, leurs projets et leurs soucis. Ils sont venus de la Guinée-Conakry, du Nigeria, du Niger, du Gabon, de la Côte d’Ivoire, du Burkina-Faso, du Togo, de l’Europe et de tous les diocèses du Bénin. C’est le Cardinal Robert Sarah, préfet de la congrégation pour le culte divin et la discipline des sacrements à Rome qui a dit la messe de clôture du dimanche 23 août entouré de l’ensemble des évêques de la conférence épiscopale du Bénin, du Nonce apostolique près le Bénin et le Togo, Mgr Brian Udaïgwe, de Mgr Barthélemy Adoukonou, secrétaire du Conseil pontifical pour la culture à Rome, de Mgr Vincent Coulibaly, archevêque de Conakry et de plus de trois cent prêtres concélébrant. S’appuyant sur les textes de la liturgie de la Parole de ce dimanche, le Cardinal Sarah a, entre autres dans son homélie déclaré : «  Dans nos rapports avec Dieu,  il n’y a pas d’autre alternative : ou Dieu ou rien. Ou Jésus-Christ et son Evangile  ou rien. Nul ne peut servir deux maîtres : ou il haïra l’un et aimera l’autre, ou il s’attachera à l’un et méprisera l’autre. Vous ne pouvez servir Dieu et l’argent » (Mt6, 24).

A l’issue de la messe le  Cardinal Sarah a été fait Grand’Croix de l’ordre national du Bénin et  l’ensemble des évêques du Bénin élevé au rang de commandeur de l’ordre national par le président de la République et son gouvernement, à l’exception de Mgr Ganyé et du Nonce déjà décorés.

Guy DOSSOU-YOVO,                            Cotonou, pour Radio Vatican

CAMEROUN : Ordinations presbytérale et diaconales à la Cité Verte

Ils étaient cinq séminaristes et un diacre, candidat au presbytérat. Parmi les cinq diacres, l’un était du diocèse de Bafia, et les quatre autres de la congrégation des pères Piaristes. Avant le rite d’ordination proprement dit, chaque candidat, chacun selon son statut, s’est fait présenter à l’évêque par deux prêtres, pendant l’appel des ordinands. Par la suite, ils ont pris des engagements au cours des deux dialogues qu’ils ont eu avec l’Archevêque de Yaoundé, Mgr Jean MBARGA, président de la dite cérémonie. Une cérémonie que l’Archevêque de Yaoundé a placé sous le signe d’une action de grâce au Seigneur pour le don de joie, car a-t-il expliqué : chaque ordination sacerdotale est un signe de la bonté de Dieu envers son peuple. Dans le même sens il a rappelé au futur prêtre quelle est sa mission. Pour l’Archevêque de Yaoundé, le prêtre a une mission salvifique, c’est pourquoi il doit être conscient de l’amour de Dieu pour lui, que Dieu l’appelle  pour une mission à accomplir en son nom ; à faire rayonner l’Eglise en aidant l’homme à louer Dieu, à espérer en Dieu et à l’aimer par-dessus tout. Il les a invité à aider les familles à rester dans la vigilance spirituelle et morale à accompagner chaque famille dans son destin. C’est l’église Baptême de Jésus de la Cité Verte, desservie par les pères Piaristes, qui a abrité la cérémonie.  La messe était animée par la plateforme des chorales de cette paroisse. Une vingtaine de prêtres environ ont concélébré, alors que les parents et les amis sont venus nombreux soutenir les leurs.

Cécile Eveline NSENG,                                Yaoundé, pour Radio Vatican

RD CONGO : Ordinations diaconales à Isiro

Le dimanche 23 août 2015, dans la cathédrale sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus d’Isiro, dans la province du Haut-Uélé, Mgr Julien Andavo a ordonné quatre nouveaux diacres pour son diocèse, messieurs les abbés Martin Ndani, Emmanuel Masambala, Maximilien-Kolbe Aloane et Alphonse Kulidri. Ils viennent de finir le cycle d’études en théologie au grand séminaire interdiocésain saint Cyprien de Bunia. L’évêque d’Isiro-Niangara a aussi imposé les mains sur le frère dominicain Jean-Fidèle Lekadiano, venu de Kinshasa, de l’Université Catholique du Congo.

Aux nouveaux diacres et aux fidèles présents dans la cathédrale, Mgr Andavo a demandé d’opérer, dans leur vie, un choix décisif et conséquent : veulent-ils suivre le Christ ou d’autres divinités comme l’idolâtrie de l’argent, du mensonge et de l’abus du pouvoir politique ?

P. Jean-Baptiste MALENGE-KALUNZU, OMI,                           Kinshasa, pour Radio Vatican

CABO VERDE : Histórias de vocações no Ano da Vida Consagrada

Dina Maria pertence a uma família de 12 filhos, onde, encorajados pelos pais, muitos optaram pela vida religiosa. Ela também está nessa caminhada. Confessa que está um pouco confusa, mas pede orações para que possa realizar este sonho. Juntamente com ela estão também em formação, na ilha do Fogo, a Lourdes Mendes e a Evanilda da Costa sob a orientação da Irmã Inês Furtado da Veiga, Franciscana da Imaculada Conceição. Ela conta também o percurso que a levou a descobrir que nenhum homem que lhe prometia felicidade, lhe podia dar a mesma felicidade que dedicar-se a Jesus lhe dá. E procura sempre transmitir esta certeza aos jovens.

Por seu lado a irmã Teodora Santos Carvalho explica que optou por ser Franciscana da Imaculada Conceição porque teve sempre bem claro a ideia de servir os pobres da sua terra. É responsável da Casa Santa Teresa, em que as Franciscanas têm um lar de idosos. Uma das hóspedes é a Menina Ilda, que tem uma história singular de vocação religiosa, um sonho que, infelizmente, não conseguiu realizar cabalmente.

Dulce ARAÚJO,                               Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

Caritas Freetown caring for women and girl-survivors of Ebola

As Sierra Leone starts the countdown to the 42 days to being declared Ebola free, with bated breath, the aid and development office of the Archdiocese of Freetown, ‘Caritas Freetown,’ continues to provide psychosocial support to Ebola-survivors, especially women and girls.

With the support of the Spanish charity Manos Unidas, Caritas Freetown is also proving food and non-food items to help survivors overcome the trauma they have been though. Twenty-three year-old Ebola-survivor, Aminata Sillah told Fr Peter Konteh, the Director of Caritas Freetown that "if only there were many other organisations like Caritas Freetown we would have lived beyond all our pains.”

Last week, Caritas Freetown also joined‘Power Women 232,’ an organisation that promotes women’s rights during a candlelight march to denounce the alleged rape and killing of a 17 year old girl called Hannah in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Fr. Kohnteh said, “Being a Catholic development organisation, Caritas Freetown is striving to uphold the rights of all, including women who are our major constituent. We publicly frown upon rape and the unlawful killing of any individual,” Fr Konteh said.

The Caritas Freetown Director extended his condolences to the girl’s family and urged everyone to stand up against rape. He concluded by reiterating the slogan of the march (hashtag) #real men don't rape but only cowards do.

Festus TARAWALIE                                               e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va

CAMEROUN : Clôture de l’Octave de l’Assomption dans l’archidiocèse de Yaoundé

Pendant cinq ans consécutifs, les chrétiens de l’Archidiocèse de Yaoundé ont célébré l’octave de l’Assomption. C’était une marche pénitentiaire et réparatrice initiée en 2011 par Monseigneur Victor Tonye Bakot, alors archevêque de Yaoundé.  Réparer les outrages faits à la Très Sainte Vierge Marie, Mère du Christ et Patronne du Cameroun : c’est la principale raison de cette mobilisation qui, huit jours durant, a rassemblé les dévots de Marie et les maintenait dans la ferveur de la solennité de l’Assomption.  En 2011, certaines personnes ont élevé leurs voix pour ordonner aux chrétiens de brûler les chapelets, et de procéder à la destruction massive de toutes les icônes de la Vierge Marie. Un acte non chrétien qui a poussé Mgr Victor Tonye Bakot à inviter les chrétiens de Yaoundé à se mobiliser pour demander pardon, a expliqué Monseigneur Engelbert René Fouda Owona, Vicaire Général et célébrant principal de cette eucharistie, en lieu et place de Monseigneur l’Archevêque empêché. C’était pour les chrétiens de Yaoundé une occasion de dire merci à Dieu pour le don de la Vierge Marie et pour les dons et bienfaits reçus au cours de ce quinquennat qui s’est achevé le 22 août 2015. Le Vicaire Général a donc saisi cette occasion pour faire cette déclaration : le culte marial n’est pas mort à Yaoundé, il est vivant. A la fin de cette célébration qui a rassemblé plusieurs dévots de la Vierge  Marie et à laquelle prenaient part une dizaine de prêtres, une quarantaine de  membres ont reçu les diplômes d’honneur en signe de reconnaissance pour leur dévouement qui leur permet de participer de toutes leurs forces au rayonnement de l’Eglise de Yaoundé.   

Cécile Evéline NSENG,                                Yaoundé, pour Radio Vatican

EGIPTO/ETIÓPIA : Mediação eclesial acerca das águas do Rio Nilo

O Patriarca copto-ortodoxo, Tawadros II, vai deslocar-se do Egipto à Etiópia, em Setembro, para participar nas celebrações por ocasião da festa de Santa Cruz, juntamente com o Abuna Mathias I, Patriarca da Igreja ortodoxa da Etiópia – informa a agencia católica FIDES, citando fontes coptas.

Num comunicado difundido pelo Patriarcado copto, refere-se que a visita permitirá aos dois líderes religiosos dar continuidade à“mediação eclesial” nas tensões entre o Egipto e a Etiópia sobre a questão do chamado “Dique do Grande Renascimento” que a Etiópia está construir nas águas do Rio Nilo (que atravessam o seu território) e contestada pelo Egipto. Esta questão tinha sido enfrentada também durante a visita do Abuna Mathias ao Egipto em Janeiro passado. As autoridades egípcias temem que o projecto etíope do “Grande Dique” tenha um impacto negativo na quantidade de água do Nilo até agora à disposição da economia e das necessidades primárias da população. Com efeito, a população egípcia vive concentrada em 4% da superfície territorial do país, nas terras que se encontram nas proximidades do rio e toda a vida da nação depende de algum modo do Nilo.

O Patriarca Tawadros quer favorecer também a maturação de uma nova sensibilidade eclesial em relação aos riscos ligados à exploração não planificada dos recursos hídricos nacionais. A este respeito, foi anunciado que alguns sacerdotes vão frequentar cursos de formação junto de entidades públicas que gerem os sistemas de irrigação alimentados pelas águas do Nilo. Isto a fim de poder contribuir para a sensibilização da população também através de homilias e catequeses acerca da necessidade vital de salvaguardar, do ponto de vista ecológico, essa grande artéria fluvial.

Dulce ARAÚJO,                               Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

ANGOLA : Caritas:“Precisamos apoios dos que desejam investir com franqueza”

O apelo à Comunidade Internacional é lançado na Rádio Vaticano pelo director da Cáritas de Angola que participou em Lisboa na conferência “Direito Humano a uma Alimentação Adequada: Desafios e Oportunidades a partir de Diferentes Geografias” que teve lugar no final de Julho passado.

Uma iniciativa da Fundação Fé e Cooperação (FEC), que juntou especialistas da área e alguns parceiros para potenciar formas de influenciar os decisores políticos para desenvolver microprojectos locais com intervenção directa no desenvolvimento rural.

Projectos nos países lusófonos, sobretudo em Moçambique, Guiné-Bissau e Angola, país onde a “Plataforma para o Desenvolvimento Rural” criada pela Cáritas local e parceira do projecto“Semear Portugal, Semear Angola”, está a dar um grande apoio às populações mais pobres.

O director da Cáritas Angola, Eusébio Amarante diz em entrevista ao jornalista Domingos Pinto que é preciso apostar na informação e na educação, sublinha que no sul do país, “há uma crise alimentar visível” devido à seca, e lamenta a forma tardia como a ajuda tem chegado aos mais carenciados, apesar dos apoios do governo e das organizações humanitárias.

Domingos PINTO,                            Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português 

RD CONGO : Journées des jeunes et à Mbuji-Mayi

Le dimanche 23 août 2015, dans la cathédrale saint Jean-Baptiste de Mbuji-Mayi, dans la province du Kasai oriental, Mgr Bernard-Emmanuel Kasanda présidait la messe de clôture des deuxièmes journées diocésaines de la jeunesse. 1400 jeunes sont venus des 43 paroisses du diocèse. En dehors des activités culturelles et récréatives, ils ont écouté des conférences autour du thème général : « Jeune diocésain : quel sera ton bilan du cinquantenaire de l’Eglise de Mbuji-Mayi ? Qu’as-tu reçu ? Qu’as-tu donné ? ». Les jeunes ont écouté des conférences intitulées : « Je suis catholique et fier de l’être’ », « Heureux les cœurs purs, car ils verront Dieu’ », « Les enjeux politiques de l’heure en République Démocratique du Congo » et « les conséquences de la toxicomanie ».

Au terme de ces deuxièmes Journées diocésaines des jeunes, la Paroisse Sainte Marie Ville/Miba qui détenait la Croix pèlerine l’a remise à Mgr l’Evêque Bernard-Emmanuel Kasanda qui l’a remise à son tour à la Paroisse Saint Achille, qui organisera, l’année prochaine, les troisièmes Journées diocésaines de la jeunesse de Mbuji-Mayi.

P. Jean-Baptiste MALENGE-KALUNZU, OMI,                           Kinshasa, pour Radio Vatican

ANGOLA : I Jornada Nacional da Juventude com vista na JMJ de Cracóvia

Mais de três mil jovens católicos angolanos participam desde o dia 27 de Agosto da 1ª jornada nacional da juventude que decorre na Arquidiocese do Huambo. O evento está a servir de antecâmara à jornada Mundial da Juventude, a ter lugar em Cracóvia/Polonia de 20 a 25 de julho de 2016.

Esta jornada pretende igualmente buscar e demonstrar a força dos jovens na transformação da sociedade e suscitar o amor dos jovens por Jesus de Nazaré, e é impulsionada pela Conferência Episcopal de Angola e São Tomé (CEAST), através do Secretariado Nacional da Pastoral Juvenil.

As bem-aventuranças estão em destaque nas catequeses proferidas pelos bispos da CEAST aos jovens.

O arcebispo de Luanda Dom Filomeno do Nacimento Viera Dias incentivou os jovens a não desistirem na busca de Deus a exemplo de Santo Agostinho.

E o arcebispo emérito do Huambo Dom Francisco Viti realçou que o jovem deve ser escutado para ser ajudado.

E o ministro angolano da Juventude e desportos Gonçalves Muandumba convidado a participar da missa de abertura saudou a realização da jornada.

E alguns jovens peregrinos manifestaram o entusiasmo em participar deste encontro histórico que junta jovens católicos angolanos com um único propósito seguir Jesus Cristo

De Luanda, Anastácio SASEMBELE,                                para a Rádio Vaticano 

CAMEROUN : Concert de musique religieuse à Yaoundé

Une belle soirée de musique religieuse a été offerte par les enfants des paroisses Saint Nicolas d’Ozom et Saint Augustin de Ngousso. C’était une occasion bien saisie par le chœur des petits anges d’Ozom et le chœur Angélique et Maria Nya Zamba de Ngousso à Yaoundé. Le public s’est laissé émerveiller par la qualité de la prestation qui leur a été offerte. Le concert semblait avoir un mauvais départ avec le premier passage, celui du chœur angélique de Ngousso ; ce qui sera immédiatement corrigé par le second passage, celui des petits anges d’Otélé, qui dès leur entrée ont mis une forte chaleur dans la belle église. Ce qui fait l’originalité des trois groupes c’est qu’ils sont tous jeunes en âge : joueurs de balafons et choristes. Ils chantent dans toutes les langues. Ils chantent du classique : particulièrement les choristes d’ozom. L’histoire révèle que la chorale Nya Zamba de Ngousso est née au lendemain des noces d’or de la Paroisse Saint Nicolas d’Ozom. Invité à la fête, le curé de Ngousso, l’Abbé Louis Claude Mbarga, est tombé d’admiration de voir ces bouts de choux manier avec dextérité les lamelles des balafons. Son inspiration n’a pas tardé à venir -  lui qui avait déjà beaucoup de difficultés avec la chorale des adultes avait-il confié. Pour lui, la leçon tirée est l’unité entre les deux paroisses, l’une rurale et l’autre urbaine. Le curé d’Ozom quant à lui a saisi cette occasion pour reconnaitre les liens d’amitiés fortes et solides qui lient Ngousso et Ozom. C’était une soirée bien réussie au terme de laquelle le curé de Ngousso n’a pas hésité à déclarer que le retour de l’Ascenseur était dans les tous prochains jours.

Cécile Evéline NSENG,                                Yaoundé, pour Radio Vatican

CAMEROUN : Rentrée scolaire 2015-2016

Les enseignants des établissements primaires et secondaires catholiques ont pris les moyens pour pouvoir débuter la nouvelle année. Question d’être mieux aguerris dès l’entame de ladite année scolaire, le 7 septembre prochain. C’est l’objet de la session de formation organisée à cet effet, du 24 au 25 août 2015, au complexe scolaire Jésus Marie de Yaoundé.

« Par Lui, avec Lui et en Lui », l’Ecole catholique de l’archidiocèse de Yaoundé avance, confiante. C’est le thème général épluché pendant deux jours du 24 au 25 août. Thème qui s’inscrivait dans le cadre des activités de la retraite spirituelle et de la session pédagogique des enseignants du secondaire de l’archidiocèse de Yaoundé ouverte par une messe solennelle. Elle avait pour cadre le Complexe scolaire des sœurs de Jésus Marie au quartier Simbock à Yaoundé.

Comme chaque, ils se sont encore retrouvés cette fois ci. C’était en prélude à la prochaine rentrée scolaire qui s’avance à grands pas. Sous la houlette du secrétaire à l’Education catholique de l’archidiocèse de Yaoundé, l’abbé Roger Blaise Mendouga Ahanda. Six exposés au total ont permis aux participants de parcourir plusieurs thèmes.

Sur la discipline, l’enseignement technique, la maîtrise des nouvelles techniques de l’information et de la communication. Les enseignements étaient enrichis par des échanges et soutenus par des travaux en ateliers. Plusieurs résultats sont attendus au sortir de cette autre session. Entre autres : des projets pédagogiques, élaboration des fiches pédagogiques, élaboration d’un annuaire téléphonique et Internet diocésain, définir un cadre technique d’échanges inter-établissements et inter personnels dans l’archidiocèse. Le souci de ces formations est de garder haut l’étendard de l’enseignement catholique au Cameroun.

Cécile Eveline NSENG,                                Yaoundé, pour Radio Vatican. 

RD CONGO : Echos du diocèse de Luiza

En vue de l’ouverture de l’année scolaire qui pointe à l’horizon, au diocèse de Luiza, la Coordination des Ecoles Conventionnées Catholiques a organisé une réunion des chefs d’Etablissement dans le but  d’évaluer l’année scolaire passée et prendre des mesures conséquentes pour cette année nouvelle. Invité à cette réunion, en sa qualité de Représentant Légal des Ecoles Conventionnées Catholiques, S.E. Mgr Félicien MWANAMA GALUMBULULA,  s’est adressé aux participants en ces termes :

« Eduquer aujourd’hui, c’est former à la mondialisation des valeurs positives ».

Tel est le mot d’ordre donné par S. E. Mgr Félicien MWANAMA GALUMBULULA, Evêque de Luiza à l’ouverture de l’année scolaire 2015-2016.

L’Evêque a commenté et présenté ce mot d’ordre à l’intention de plus ou moins 160  directeurs, préfets et membres de la Coordination des Ecoles Conventionnées Catholiques à Luiza.  Il a attiré l’attention de  tous ceux qui sont engagés dans l’apostolat scolaire sur l’école comme lieu de la  mondialisation des valeurs positives. A cet effet, le prélat a insisté sur la  complexité de cette tache éducative  qui nécessite de former les enfants à bien comprendre et bien habiter cette planète devenue un village.  L’éducation à dispenser devra tenir compte du niveau des élèves et , par le fait, contribuer à  leur  formation civique, intellectuelle, morale et spirituelle en phase avec les défis de notre temps.

Le diocèse de Luiza compte trois coordinations  des écoles conventionnées catholiques. Elles sont dirigées par deux laïcs et un prêtre diocésain au nom de l’Evêque diocésain qui, selon les termes de la convention passée entre l’Etat Congolais et  la Conférence des Evêques de la R D Congo, en est le représentant légal.

Abbé François TSHIMANGA MANDUNGU, Chancelier diocésain

More than 2000 children attend Holy Childhood congress in Zimbabwe

About 2500 children with their animators have attended a Congress for Missionary Holy Childhood in Zimbabwe . The Congress hosted by the Archdiocese of Harare, took place in the last week of August. The venue, Makumbi Mission was a hive of activity as hundreds of children thronged the place.

The theme of the Congress was“Consecrated for a mission” and was graced by the Archbishop of Harare, Robert Ndlovu. He encouraged the children to live prayerful lives and pray for their families, friends and for the country.

The children participated in activities which included uniform parade, bible quiz, talent show, drama and sports.

Pylaia CHEMBE,                              Jesuit Communications Zimbabwe-Mozambique

e-mail: eng africa@vatiradio.va

SUDÃO DO SUL : Presidente Salva Kiir assina o acordo de paz, mas “com reservas”

O Presidente do Sudão do Sul, Salva Kiir, assinou nesta quarta-feira, dia 26 de agosto, o acordo de paz para pôr fim a 20 meses de guerra civil, mas com "sérias reservas". A cerimónia da assinatura teve lugar em Juba na presença dos governadores regionais. O Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas havia ameaçado acções imediatas se Salva Kiir não tivesse assinado. O acordo já tinha sido assinado pelo líder dos rebeldes, o ex-vice-presidente Riek Machar. "O acordo não é a Bíblia ou o Corão - disse Kiir no momento da assinatura - porque não o deveríamos modificar. Dai-nos um pouco de tempo e tentaremos corrigi-lo". Na guerra civil morreram dezenas de milhares de pessoas. Mas quais são os motivos de preocupação para uma pacificação que continua a ser muito difícil? Fausta Speranza perguntou a Aldo Pigoli, professor de História da África contemporânea na Universidade Católica:

O conflito que está em curso desde dezembro de 2013 no Sudão do Sul parece ter chegado a uma fase importante. O acordo de paz é certamente um momento importante. Deveria pôr fim a um longo período de conflitualidade, mesmo muito alta, entre as duas partes, ou seja, o governo e a facção rebelde que, porém, é liderada por aquele que era vice-presidente do país, Riek Machar, quando o País se tornou independente no verão de 2011. O acordo é um momento importante e fundamental também porque faz ver os resultados da diplomacia regional e internacional para acabar com o conflito. O ponto de interrogação é quanto tempo vai durar este acordo, porque é preciso ter em conta que a contenda, as razões do conflito não estão terminadas. A assinatura do acordo deixa contudo um ponto de interrogação muito forte, sobre qual será o futuro do País.

Vamos recordar estes motivos da contenda?

Na base está o contraste entre as duas principais figuras do SPLM, o partido no poder, isto é, o Presidente Salva Kiir e o ex-vice-presidente Machar, e os seus apoiantes. É bom ressaltar que não se trata de um conflito meramente étnico entre os dois principais grupos étnicos do País - os Dinka e os Nuer - mas de uma disputa político-institucional que depois tem a ver basicamente com a capacidade do governo e de quem detém as instituições para gerir as "receitas" de petróleo que são o activo mais importante do País. É preciso lembrar que o Sudão do Sul é um país extremamente pobre, sem infra-estruturas económicas e que se baseia fundamentalmente na gestão das receitas provenientes, precisamente, da venda de petróleo.

A nível social, como se reflecte este conflito entre as partes políticas?

É um dos pontos de interrogação, isto é, uma vez que se chegue ao acordo de paz e a uma estabilização, mesmo de breve duração, do País, será necessário depois responder às perguntas fundamentais: este País tem milhões de habitantes que vivem abaixo da linha de pobreza, faltam os serviços básicos fundamentais e, por isso, se não se responderá a estas necessidades básicas da população, o risco é que vão surgir novos conflitos. Até porque várias partes que até hoje participaram no conflito não estão de acordo com a assinatura dos acordos de paz e é provável que nos próximos meses possam surgir novos conflitos.

P. Bernardo SUATE,                                    Rádio Vaticano/Programa Português

Pain hebdomadaire du catholique. Vingt-troisième dimanche ordinaire, Année B. Dimanche 06 septembre 2015. Par Théodore C. LOKO*

I Traits définitoires du laïcat

Les laïcs constituent l’ensemble des chrétiens qui ne sont pas membres de l’ordre sacré et de l’ordre religieux (Lumen Gentium n° 31) et qui, de par leur baptême, sont incorporés au Christ et intégrés au peuple de Dieu, d’où leur participation, à leur manière, à la fonction sacerdotale, prophétique et royale du Christ.

II Textes du jour : Isaïe 35,4-7a ; Psaume : 145,7-10 ; Lettre de Jacques 2,1-5 ; Marc 7,31-37

III Commentaire

Les textes liturgiques de ce jour nous montrent que Dieu rejette le mal sous toutes ses formes qu’il ne confond pas avec le pécheur dont il espère inlassablement la conversion.

Dans l’ancien testament, les chapitres 34-35 d’Isaïe visent la fin des temps. Les puissances s’opposant au Seigneur auront été jugulées et la création sera renouvelée. L’irrigation de tout ce qui est sec et désertique est annoncée comme le bienfait majeur. On peut voir dans ces eaux jaillissantes et vivifiantes la figure de celle qui s’écoulera du côté transpercé de Jésus, symbole de l’Esprit et du baptême (Jn 7, 37-39 ; 19, 34). Par ailleurs, la vue, l’ouïe, etc. tous les sens par lesquels s’opère la relation de l’homme à Dieu, à ses semblables et au monde seront rendus vraiment opérants. Ils seront physiquement et spirituellement évangélisés.

Le prophète s’adresse aux cœurs défaillants, pressés d’en finir avec l’insécurité et les combats. Il les exhorte à puiser courage dans leurs forces de résistance et à faire confiance, sans céder à la peur : ne craignez pas. Mais surtout il motive ces transformations par une promesse aux accents messianiques : Voici votre Dieu… il vient lui-même et va vous sauver !

Le problème, c’est que cette venue « inouïe » de Dieu en personne est associée à sa vengeance ! Ce que nous jugeons, avec raison, incohérent avec l’image que nous avons du Dieu des chrétiens.

Ce type de propos aura hélas contribué au rejet du ‘Dieu de l’Ancien Testament’. Or nous n’avons qu’un seul Dieu qui se révèle tant dans l’Ancien que dans le Nouveau Testament ! Ce n’est pas Dieu qui change mais la perception que nous en avons. C’est au fil des générations, que les hommes ont affiné leur compréhension de Dieu, et c’est peu à peu que nous-mêmes découvrons qui il est. Nous sommes donc appelés à mieux lire les écritures, à laisser nos oreilles, nos yeux, notre cœur s’ouvrir pour mieux accueillir ce qui nous est dit, mieux accueillir le Seigneur qui sans cesse vient à nous.

L’incarnation de Dieu en Jésus Christ nous manifeste que sa vengeance et sa revanche résident en fait dans sa miséricorde et son salut proposés à tous. La vengeance suprême de Dieu c’est de sauver !

Avec le Christ, le Règne de Dieu s’est approché et nous en goûtons les prémices. Par lui, la prophétie d’Isaïe s’accomplit. Et c’est sans partialité vis-à-vis de l’étranger. Lorsqu’en territoire païen, Jésus ouvre les oreilles du sourd-muet et délie sa langue, les gens ne s’y trompent pas : impossible aux témoins de se taire. Il a bien fait toutes choses ! « Dieu vit tout ce qu’il avait fait ; et voici : cela était très bon » (Gn 1, 31).

A l’écart de la foule, Jésus instaure une relation de personne à personne avec celui qui est muré en lui-même comme on peut l’être par le mal ou le péché. Ne dédaignant pas d’emprunter des gestes familiers à la médecine païenne des terres où il se trouve, il opère de façon inhabituelle en privilégiant le corps à corps pour délivrer l’homme de ses liens. C’est à une véritable recréation qu’il procède, lui communiquant ses propres sens, sa propre humanité, sa vie. Jésus apaise et remet tous nos sens en bon ordre.

La lettre de saint Jacques (2ème lecture) nous apporte un éclairage nouveau sur cette bonne nouvelle : elle nous invite à réagir contre certaines attitudes contraires à l’Évangile. Nous parlons d’égalité et de  fraternité, mais nous nous laissons aveugler par tout ce qui brille. Pendant ce temps, les pauvres sont bien laissés de côté. L’apôtre nous rappelle que nous ne devons pas faire de « différence entre nous ». Ce n’est pas l’argent ni la pauvreté qui font la valeur d’un homme mais la foi. La foi c’est l’accueil de Dieu dans toute notre vie.

* Ambassadeur du Bénin près le Saint Siège

La revue de la presse catholique africaine du Mercredi 02 septembre 2015. Par Albert MIANZOUKOUTA*

L’actualité est bien frileuse aujourd’hui dans les quelques journaux et sites catholiques africains qui reviennent de vacances. Aussi donnons-nous un large espace à ce papier à la Une du journal LA CROIX , le quotidien catholique de Madagascar. Au moment où nous venons de célébrer la 1ère Journée mondiale de prière pour la sauvegarde de la création, La Croix s’insurge contre la chape de plomb que l’ignorance jette sur le MECIE, l’organisme défini comme Mise En Compatibilité des Investissements avec l’Environnement. Le journal précise qu’il ne s’agit pas de « Messi, Lionel de son prénom, le prodige actuel du ballon rond »,mais de MECIE qui fonctionne depuis 20 dans la Grande Ile , délivrant permis et autorisations lorsqu’une activité présente de risque d’atteinte à l’environnement.

« Malgré ses 20 ans le MECIE demeure méconnu du grand public. Quelles sont les étapes à suivre pour obtenir le sésame délivré par l’ONE ? Nombreux sont ceux qui ignorent encore que c’est l’ONE qui est l’institution mandatée pour faire appliquer le décret 95-377 du 23 mai 1995 ou décret Mecie. C’est quoi une autorisation environnementale ? La différence entre autorisation environnementale et permis environnemental ? Et les certificats de conformité ? », autant de questions que le journal pose pour réveiller la conscience des Malgaches au devoir de préservation de l’environnement auquel aussi bien l’Eglise que le gouvernement les incitent.

Au Niger, DIOCESE DE MARADI-Niger aborde un thème différent mais pas vraiment très éloigné de la sauvegarde de l’environnement et de l’exploitation respectueuse– utile - des ressources de la faune et de la flore : la médecine traditionnelle. Le portail écrit : « Le Niger a célébré ce 31 août 2015 à l’instar des autres pays membres de la région Afrique de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé la 13ème édition de la Journée africaine de la médecine traditionnelle ».

« Au Niger et dans bien de contrées africaines, cette médecine est le premier recours des ruraux contre diverses pathologies. Mais la réglementation fait parfois défaut et donc synonyme d’abus. Le ministre de la santé dans son message, a rappelé les différents efforts faits par le Niger pour promouvoir la médecine traditionnelle notamment la réglementation de pratique de la médecine traditionnelle, le renforcement des capacités des tradi-praticiens, la mise en place d’un cadre de collaboration avec la médecine conventionnelle, la protection de la propriété intellectuelle » …

Enfin, dans La SEMAINE AFRICAINE , journal de l’Eglise paraissant régulièrement à Brazzaville, au Congo, Emilio Mahoungou Manou nous apprend la fin de la colonie de vacances nationale.« Après Linzolo en 2006, Djiri en 2007, Kinkala en 2008, Djiri en 2009, Oyo en 2010, Kinkala en 2011, Dolisie en 2012, Loango et Pointe-Noire en 2014, le tour est revenu cette année à Gamboma et Oyo », écrit-il.

« Cette colonie de vacances a été rehaussée par la visite de deux évêques, Mgr Urbain Ngassongo et Mgr Victor Abagna-Mossa, respectivement évêques de Gamboma et d’Owando. Les deux évêques ont demandé aux jeunes « d’être de véritables témoins du Christ», et «de briller par le travail, d’être des modèles et des partisans de paix», rapporte le journal.

A la semaine prochaine !

* Journaliste à Radio Vatican/Français-Afrique

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