Africa – Page 102 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

[Mozambique] Political Debate

3 October, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

Mozambique is in period of election campaign for the presidential elections in the republic and the legislative and provincial assemblies, this which take place on 15 October of this year. There are three candidates approved by the constitutional council, representing the party FRELIMO, RENAMO and MDM.

Therefore, the Commission for Justice and Peace, organized a political debate, at the diocesan meeting for Justice and Peace of the Diocese of Nacala, it took place from 11 to 14 September, inviting representatives of the three parties in the District of Monapo to talk about the different proposals for their respective presidential candidates; they also answer questions and share with the animators how holds the process of the election campaign.

Thus, on the afternoon of September 12, the debate was held, attended by representatives of the parties and more than forty animators of Justice and Peace from the different parishes of the Diocese. It was a very interesting time for dialogue and questions, especially because of the participation of the animators, who made pertinent questions about specific situations without fear. Stand out questions of two women who participated in the meeting, talking about the situation which faces in the hospitals concerning to illegal collection and the lack of medicine, asking about what to do in this situation.

As with any campaign, there were no lack of proposals and promises from those representing the parties. Therefore it was an important exercise of citizenship, which should continue, not just on election day, but also in the accompanying of the chosen candidate for the Government!

Flávio Schmidt

Comboni Simposium- Concrete proposals for Apostolic Action Plan in view of the General Chapter XVIII

20 September, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

After a week of work from the Comboni Plan up to the reflection on the mission today, we wanted to make a synthesis of the work done, trying to reach conclusions unanimously accepted by the participants.

Thus, for groups, elaborate concrete proposals for the Comboni mission today. These were discussed in plenary in order to reach an apostolic action plan consistent with both the urgency of the mission and the Comboni identity.

In the afternoon, participants reflected and proposed certain aspects to be taken as a contribution to the General Chapter XVIII.

At the end of this week, remains a shout in the heart of each of us: We are missionaries “to give life and life in abundance.”

Susana Vilas Boas

Workshop on Comboni-From the Plan´s insights to the reality we face today

19 September, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

“I would rather have a hurt church, marked by the signs of walking with the people, than a hurt church because it is closed in the comfort zone trying to hold on to its own securities” (EG, 49). With these wise words of Pope Francis, we began our 4º day.

For today our aim is to summarize the intuitions of these days, and so, the commission presented us with for main topics for reflexion:

1) Mission perspective: in Comboni´s time and in our days

2) Mission style: in Comboni´s time and in in our days

3) Ministries and formation: in Comboni´s time and in in our days

4) Our own mission in the local church: in Comboni´s time and in our days

After the reflexion at a personal level and the groups discussion, took place the plenary assembly. We try to perceive what we have to change in our way of being today as missionaries, so that we can answer the Popes ‘challenge: we are all hurt but we are willing pursue the long road so that Christ will be known by all peoples and they may have life to the full.

Susana Vilas Boas

Comboni workshop-The reality of the Congregation of the Comboni Misssionaries today

18 September, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

This third day began, with the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians: “Love will never end” (1 Cor 13,8). These words were the starting point for the topic of the day started by the Superior General of The MCCJ – Fr Enrique Sanchez, who presented his view on the Plan and the reality of the Comboni Missionaries today. From these reflections, some clues about the reality of the mission of the MCCJ in our days emerged, and we can summarize them in three points: mission – as in the Plano of Comboni, mission is at the centre (heart) of our vocation and missionary life; resize – the urgency that today we need for the Institute due to social, ecclesial change (morphology) in the reality. The number decreases and in a few years’ time, 90% of the MCCJ will be Africans; interculturality – the reality that calls us to a change in our way of thinking and actions.

These three basic words expressing our reality were the starting point for the group´s discussion. After that, we had our discussion on the priorities emerging from the Comboni Missionaries challenges today, and these activities were conducted Oriented) by Fr. Antonio Villarino.

Susana Vilas Boas

Comboni Symposium-The spirit of the Plan and the challenge of the African mission in 800

17 September, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

On this second day, the Comboni symposium focused on the Plan of Comboni, from the context it was written to the application and understanding in our current context.

To help in this reflection, Fr Joaquim Valente (MCCJ) helped all participants, presenting and contextualizing, in yesterday and today, the cardinal points of the Plan of Comboni and throwing some challenges for us that the Plan places.

In fact, Comboni acknowledges that it does not work, recognizes that he doesn´t known the solution, acknowledges that he is not and neither has the solution for the regeneration of Africa, recognizes that we should listen to God, and only God is and has the solution.

Comboni is open to the new movements of the Spirit acting into reality and in human history. Meanwhile, traveling to Europe and learning from the experiences of all who work for the mission. With all these testimonies and all this learning, Comboni aims to “unite all things in Christ.”

In turn, the P. Johnson Uchenna Ozioko (priest from Nigeria), helped us make a reading of the Plan of Comboni from Africa today, calling attention especially of the current importance of “saving Africa with Africa” as well as the importance and urgency of changing the language we use to talk about the mission and Africans.

Meanwhile, according to their specificity, the sister. Fernanda Cristinelli (CMS) briefly presented a reflection on this topic, made by the Comboni Missionary Sisters, underlining the significance and urgency of change ministeriality of being and living the missionary spirit in feminine.

At the end of the day, remains at the heart of each participant the final words uttered by P. Johnson Uchenna Ozioko: Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and said to them, “Go and do the same.” Comboni loved Africa, I say: “Go and do the same.”

Susana Vilas Boas