We continue this series with Brother Aristides Holgado. Born in Madrid, Aristides was going to be an architect until he was assigned to Mozambique by the Comboni Missionaries. He arrived six months after their independence from Portugal and lived through the civil war that ravaged the country for 15 years. In his interview, Aristides speaks openly about issues such as the quality of democracy, communism and capitalism in the African country and the war.
(Interview in Spanish)
Fr. Francesco Pierli MCCJ and Sr. Teresita Cortés CMS share with us this reflection at the beginning of the academic year.
Dear Friends,
Let me take this opportunity of the approaching of the New Academic Year 2021-2022 to share few feelings anf few thougths with you. It is a great joy for me to be involved in this New Academic Year you are about to start. My mind goes back to the numerous years I was in Africa living with many of you the adventure of studying and researching together. If we are interested in succeding in whatever adventure we plugged ourselves into, it is important to shake hands with others. Beeing together it is God’s dream and an essential condition to be successful in whatever initiative we take. Fraternity and cooperation are two cornerstones of social ministry for social transformation from the very beginning. Let us continue to develop our passion and methodology for collaboration and togethernes men and women. Let us look at each other with appretiation and friendship. Our committment to collaboration assures God’s presence in our midst as Jesus clearly states in Chapter 5 of his Gospel.
Togetherness, mutual acceptance and collaboration are oustandig marks of social ministry meant for social transfomation of any environment. May yhe Holy Spirit grant us all, new joy and fraternity ever more. Fraternity is needed all over the world, and so as well for us to start anew in the new conditions we come to the University now.
I am aware of the hardships you are undergoing, both students and lecturers, in this time of global planetarian health crisis, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and othe catastrophies. I also had my part in times of isolation, loneliness and lack of socialization; not being allowed „to shake hands“. But now, let us be united and build anew our relationships. That would will be the way to grow stronger and we will regain hope and trust in a better future for our beloved Kenya and for the world. May the Holy Spirit show us ways to build bridges among individuals, families and nations and to sow the seed of collaboration. This hign value I am insisting about, is one of the strongest objectives of social ministry while bringing different ethnic groups, different religions, any diversity among cultures together. Especially bringing men and women together, according to the indication of God’s Word, according to the social teaching of the Church, becoming bearers of this new vision of Social Transformation which means to overcome even the old fashioned apostolic style where only men were supposed to be in leadership. I do not believe in a Kingdom of God built only by men; they alone do not generate life. New life comes only through „team spirit“ where men and women with equal dignity and mutual respect and understanding creatively generate the Social Transformation. This is already your Movement for Social Transformation….!!
I invite you, to look attentively and with contemplative eyes, at the picture which is at the apse of the main Hall at the Tangaza University College which shows how our equal footing, together male and female, create and bring equilibrium to God´s Creation. Let us start this Academic Year with „team spirit“, with joy, with new courage and new hope.
Thank you and be reassured of my daily prayer for each one of you.
Fraternally, Prof. Fr. Francesco Pierli MCCJ LTh. Sr. Teresita Cortés Aguirre CMS
That the celebration of the XIX General Chapter of the Comboni Missionaries may light up their way in humble service to the mission of the Church. Lord hear us.
That in all people the sentiments of fraternity and of belonging to the same human family may be strengthened so that we may build up together the values of justice and peace. Lord hear us.
The MCCJ have received the communication from H.E. Mons José Rodriguez Carballo, Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Society of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA) – Prot 5191 of 20.7.2021, that the dicastery grants the postponement of the date of the XIX General Chapter to the dates indicated by us i.e. 1 – 30 June 2022 and the consequent extension of the mandate of the Superior General and his Council. A more detailed letter from the Superior General and his Council will follow on 31.7.2021.
The General Council concluded a few months ago that celebrating the Chapter in pandemic conditions this year would pose serious challenges to its organization. Hosting 60 or more delegates from the four corners of the world in different epidemiological situations and with uncertain vaccination coverage would have made the possibility of its development without interruption and without the risk of having to suspend it very precarious.
In analogy with many other international congregations and after extensive consultation with the delegates of the Chapter, the General Council concluded that it was more prudent to ask the Holy See for permission to postpone it. This permission had been foreseen since last year by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life. The granting of the permission to postpone the Chapter also leads to the extension of the mandate of government for the ordinary administration of the General Council in office, until the beginning of the Chapter in 2022.
In the meantime, the Council will also follow and facilitate where necessary the preparatory work for the Chapter that the pandemic has hampered in many circumscriptions.
