Caritas Bangui Distributes Aid to the Displaced Muslims in Mbaiki

Agenzia Fides || 26 March 2015

Caritas Bangui, very active in providing relief to the displaced of the civil war in the Central African Republic, has distributed food aid to 49 members of the Muslim community in the city of Mbaiki (located at 107 km from the capital Bangui).

According to reports sent to Agenzia Fides, the beneficiaries of the aid are Muslims forced to flee the village of Boboua (50 km from Mbaiki) because of the violence of the Anti-Balaka militias, that are in contrast with former Seleka rebels.

The displaced were welcomed at first in a MINUSCA base (UN Mission in the Central African Republic) and then in some homes. On March 24, a delegation of Caritas distributed clothes, soap, sugar, rice, oil cans, and other food to them.

The Caritas delegation was accompanied by Imam Kobine Layama, one of the three leaders of the religious platform for peace, which includes Archbishop of Bangui, Mgr. Dieudonné Nzapalainga, and pastor Nguerekoyame Gbangou.

The Imam praised the local people for their generosity in receiving the displaced. "It is a gesture to encourage. This proves that there are believers in Mbaiki. The other cities should do the same. As for their return to Boboua, it will still take some time for the displaced to return to their homes", said Imam Layama.

The civil war has created deep divisions within the Central African society, and among the Christian and Muslim communities. Gestures such as the reception on behalf of the inhabitants of Mbaiki or the distribution of food carried out by Caritas are important in order to create a new climate of trust and mutual respect.

Meanwhile, according to Agenzia Fides, an action plan for displaced persons and refugees from the violence of Boko Haram will be discussed during the meeting promoted by Caritas Internationalis in Rome which begins today and will end tomorrow, March 27th.

According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides "in the past year, more than a million Nigerians have fled fanatically violent attacks by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.

Spilling over into neighbouring countries, these displaced families have relied on Catholic Church and other aid groups for basic necessities like shelter, food and medicine".

"The terror and suffering that the people of Nigeria have experienced is extreme", said Caritas Nigeria Executive Director Father Evaristus Bassey, who will attend the Rome meeting. "We at Caritas, along with other people of goodwill, are doing our best (…). But the needs are staggering".

In Nigeria and surrounding countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, Caritas and Catholic dioceses are helping the displaced. More than 2500 people are staying at a camp at Saint Theresa Cathedral in Yola, Nigeria, with thousands more sheltering in church buildings around the Country.

Recently, Catholic bishops in Cameroon appealed to Nigeria’s bishops for help responding to the needs of tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees who fled to their country (see Fides 10/03/2015).

The Rome meeting will include Caritas representatives from Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, and during the meeting the plight of the 800,000 displaced persons and refugees from the Central African Republic will also be addressed.

Ivory Coast President Appoints Archbishop Head of Reconciliation Commission

Vatican Radio || By Reuters || 25 March 2015

Reuters reports Tuesday that Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara appointed the Catholic Archbishop of Bouaké,  Paul-Siméon Ahouanan Djro, a Franciscan, to head the country’s flagging post-war reconciliation efforts ahead of elections later this year, a senior official with the presidency said.

Ivory Coast is emerging from a decade-long political crisis that ended in a brief 2011 civil war that followed presidential elections in late 2010. The government created a Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR) in the wake of the violence.

While the economy has seen a renaissance under President Ouattara's stewardship, however, Ivory Coast remains crippled by deep political and ethnic divisions that threaten to undermine long-term stability. Archbishop Paul Siméon Ahouana will head a new body that will take over from the CDVR.

"This commission has as its objective to finish the work of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and proceed to the compensation of victims," Amadou Gon Coulibaly, secretary-general at the presidency, told journalists.

Archbishop Ahouana was named Archbishop of Bouake while the city was under the occupation of rebel forces, which seized control of the northern part of Ivory Coast following a failed attempt to oust then President Laurent Gbagbo in 2002.

The Archbishop is known for having opened dialogue with the rebels at a time when they were shunned by much of the clergy. Former President Gbagbo, whose refusal to accept his election defeat to President Ouattara sparked the 2011 conflict, is now at the Hague's International Criminal Court (ICC) charged with crimes against humanity.

Rights groups accuse Ivory Coast’s President Ouattara of pursuing a policy of one-sided justice that has obstructed reconciliation since taking office, prosecuting Gbagbo's supporters while ignoring crimes committed by his own supporters.

The CDVR faced criticism for its extravagant spending and a lack of tangible results. The body's head, former Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny, is expected to be among Ouattara's challengers in a presidential election slated for October this year.

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Malawi Facilitates Dialogue on Kanyika Mining

Episcopal Conference of Malawi || By ECM Communications || 25 March 2015

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has embarked on a dialogue process between stakeholders of the Kanyika mining, including the local community, government and the investor so that justice prevails.

Communities around Kanyika in the area of Traditional Authority Mwabulabo in Mzimba where Global Metals and Mining Company embarked on exploitation of samples for the mining project have expressed concern over delays by both government and the company in compensating and relocate them to another place.

According to Chipele Jere, Chairperson of Mwabulabo Area Development Committee communities in the area are facing enormous challenges following the delay by Global Metals and Mining Company to compensate them despite an evaluation assessment which was done in 2012.

Jere said the Mining Company had stopped them from doing any development activities within their households saying they should not bother themselves because they (communities) are relocating elsewhere and that’s where they will have to build permanent houses and operate their businesses normally.

“Most of us had or have decent houses but you know what, we can’t take an initiative to renovate our houses or even build new ones because what we fear of is that we build a house today or do any development, very soon we leave our land and relocated somewhere else. Imagine, that is retrogressive in terms of personal development,” said Jere.

Sothini Kaluwa, Chairperson for Kanyika Mine Native Forum says much as they appreciated the exploitation of minerals in their land as part of development both to the nation and their community-but enough is enough, the mining company must pack up and go as it has left them with hopeless minds resulting into numerous humane challenges that includes poverty and hunger among others.

“This mining company started its activities here somewhere in 2006 but the initial assessment was done in 2012.We had plenty of trees in our forest but we stopped taking care of it with hope that they will care for our natural resources. Actually, we are development conscious people but these people have changed our mindset hence we have become lazy,” he said.

Kaluwa said about 45 houses in the area felt down because they were left unattended to simply because of people’s mentality that they are relocating to a new place. He also claimed that at least 95 percent of people in the area are also affected with hunger because they have no motivation and spirit to practice farming with hope that they are relocating.

“We feel like our right to development as enshrined in Section 30 of the country’s constitution is not enjoyed at all hence our call for these people to go and leave us alone,” he said.

Monica Moyo, 41 from Kawale village in the area of Inkosi Mwabulabo in Mzimba said she is one of the victims to the resettlement process.

“I have five children plus myself. We are all sleeping in a small and shaky house because we currently don’t have a better shelter. Initially, I and my husband who just went away leaving me with the whole responsibility of taking care for the children built a house with burnt bricks but we did not finish it. Actually we had all the materials including iron sheets and cement but my husband ended up selling them all after we were told by these people in the mining that we will be relocating elsewhere. We were then left homeless,” she said while visibly weeping.

However, it is against this background that the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has embarked on a dialogue process between all stakeholders that includes the community, government and the investor so that justice prevails.

In a position paper for the Extractive Industry in Malawi, CCJP’s Mzuzu Diocesan Secretary, Arnold Msimuko said CCJP embarked on advocacy work on the subject matter since 2008. He said the Episcopal Conference of Malawi in their pastoral letter applauded the Government for embarking on development initiatives taking place in the country including mining.

“The Bishops however advised government to ensure that exploitation of these resources does not negatively affect the wellbeing of host communities. Mzuzu CCJP therefore in the extractive project being implemented at Kanyika in Mzimba District is designed to capacitate community members (Rights Holders) to defend and claim their rights,” he said.

According to Msimuko, CCJP is however saddened to observe that the government and the mining company are taking too long to finalize the compensation process; a situation which has negatively affected the livelihood of affected people in the area.

“CCJP is not blocking the government to issue a mining licence to Globe Metals and Mining, all we want is government to speed up the process so that those people earmarked for resettlement are traumatized as has been the case,” he said.

Adding his voice, CCJP’s National Extractives Project Officer, Success Sikwese said it is in the interest of the Catholic Church to see government and Globe Metals come out and tell people the current position as regards the Kanyika Mine-saying it is also important that people of Kanyika are told the truth on issues of compensation and resettlement hence the reason they organized a media tour for journalists to appreciate challenges faced by the communities.

He said with support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), CCJP will strive to advance for the truth and justice through a project called “Transparency Initiative With Our Natural Resources” .Sikwese said the goal of the project is to ensure that all people of Malawi benefit from the commercialization of the country’s natural resources.

“Specifically the project seeks to achieve two objectives, first to ensuring that communities that are affected by mining activities are adequately compensated and supported for their relocation and secondly that communities voice out and influence decision making in mining activities in their areas hence the reason CCJP is worried to see that both Government and the mining company are not holding community meeting updates to the affected people on what is happening at Kanyika,” he said.

Meaniwhile, Kanyika Communities have issued an ultimatum that by the end of March this year, the mining company should move away from their area or unspecified action will follow.

While admitting that there is a gap in running the whole process, Director of Planning and Development for Mbelwa District Council Tamanya Harawa faulted the procedure and mining law in the country saying it’s not clearly understood hence the need for it to be reviewed.

“We know where their worry is based on, it’s about compensation and resettlement process. We do understand that their welfare has indeed changed but our understanding is that the investor has not yet been granted a mining licence hence no compensation can take place right now. Meanwhile, the investor has an exploitation licence and not mining license, so its my hope that there will be a review on this,’ said Harawa.

He said as far as he is concerned, nobody between the council, investor and the community is wrong over this matter but the procedure itself is to be blamed.

The government of Malawi granted exploration licence to Globe Metals and Mining at Kanyika in Traditional Authority Mabilabo in Mzimba. About 244 families are the ones affected by the relocation process so far.

Catholic Bishop in Kenya Defends Religious Education in School Curriculum

CANAA || Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 26 March 2015

The Chairman of the Commission for Education and Religious Education of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba has defended the teaching of religious education in Kenyan schools and termed suggestions to have Religious Education lessons abolished as “ludicrous, absurd,  ill-thought and in bad taste.”

Bishop Muhatia was reacting to suggestions by one, Harrison Mumia, purportedly atheist, who suggested the abolition of religious education classes in schools in a national television program early this week.

“Withdrawing religious education from our school curriculum is tantamount to rejection of the supremacy and importance of God in the lives of young people and the society,” Bishop Muhatia stated in his letter dated March 23, 2015 and availed to CANAA on Tuesday.

“A society that turns away from God is doomed,” Bishop Muhatia continues, adding, “We must continue to teach religious education and religious instructions in all our schools.”

Below is the full text of the letter, which also quotes the Constitution of Kenya and the Catholic Church principle on holistic formation.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR VALUE SYSTEM AND MUST CONTINUE TO BE TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS

Suggestions that Religious Education ought to be abolished are ludicrous, absurd, ill-thought and in bad taste.

The suggestions, made on a national TV by one, Harrison Mumia, who purports to be an atheist, wrongly deliberately downplays the important role that religious education plays in moulding the values of our society.

The Constitution of Kenya states that “We the people of Kenya... acknowledge the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation” and grants all Kenyans freedom of conscience and belief as well as the right to practice their faith and teach it. It is totally unacceptable for a few individuals to purport to influence curtailing the same rights and freedoms by recommending the scrapping of religious education from our school curriculum.

School curriculum is an expression of the important beliefs, values and aspirations of the society, including religious ones, which must be handed down to the young and posterity.

For the Catholic Church, faith and holistic quality education are inseparable. It is our considered view that there can be no quality formation of children to become responsible citizens if their education is not anchored on their religious faith. Religious education plays an integral and critical role in preparing learners for adult life, employment and life-long learning while encouraging them to develop their sense of identity and belonging. Religious education enables children to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community.

The Catholic Church fully supports the continued teaching of religious education in all educational institutions.

Withdrawing religious education from our school curriculum is tantamount to rejection of the supremacy and importance of God in the lives of young people and the society. A society that turns away from God is doomed. We must continue to teach religious education and religious instructions in all our schools.

God bless you all and God bless Kenya.

Signed:

_____________________________________

Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba

Chairman,

KCCB – Commission for Education and Religious Education

Date: 23rd March 2015

"Tunisians, peaceful people who want a democratic Country are those who suffer the most" says the Director of the PMS

Agenzia Fides || 20 March 2015

"Tunisians are deeply saddened because they are the first to experience the violence of the terrorists", says to Agenzia Fides Fr. Jawad Alamat, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Tunisia, after the attack against the Bardo Museum, which killed 23 people, mostly foreign tourists.

"Tunisians will suffer the consequences of this crime at a social and economic level" said Fr. Jawad.

"The two young men who committed the attack against the Bardo Museum were Tunisians, but they do not represent the true feeling of the Country.

Tunisians would like to give a different image of their land, and in fact many efforts have been made to convince the world that Tunisia wants democracy and freedom. But this attack threatens to ruin all the work done. And this is what hurts Tunisian people", says the National Director of the PMS.

"Tunisian people, do not recognize themselves in terrorism, they are lovers of peace and life, they are cultured and open, and have a very old tradition of hospitality", said Fr. Juwad, and adds: "we certainly cannot hide the existence of more or less consistent extremists groups who use violence to impose their ideology".

"To solve the problem - continues Fr. Juwad – one must first recognize that there are also violent people in the Country due to a very difficult economic situation. Unemployment and the cost of living increase.

In this context it is easy for those who have much money to corrupt the minds of desperate young people and recruit them to commit violent acts".

"We have to ask ourselves where this money goes; this money is surely not given by the unemployed; whoever funds terrorists has its own policy.

So we have to understand not only who the terrorists are but especially those who finance them, those who support them and who inspires them ideologically", said Fr. Jawad.

Tanzania's President Kikwete Joins the call of Burundi's Bishops

Vatican Radio || 23 March 2015

Early this month Burundi’s Catholic Bishops declared in a statement that the incumbent President, Pierre Nkurunziza was not eligible to stand for a third and unconstitutional term in this year’s June elections. Now Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete has warned that Burundi risks civil strife if the President does not abide by the constitution which prevents him from running for another term in the Burundi general elections scheduled for 26th June.

Speaking earlier this month, Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bujumbura said in a statement that, "We call upon politicians in power not to speculate or misinterpret the constitution. All the constitution provisions about the President's terms are very clear: no President can lead the country for more than two terms of five years each."

President Kikwete, who is also the chairman of the East African Community, made his comments when he gave the state of East African community address to the Legislative Assembly that took place Thursday in the capital, Bujumbura.

Under Burundi’s constitution and the terms of a peace deal to end more than a decade of Burundi’s civil war, no leader is allowed to be in power for more than 10 years. Nkurunziza himself has not yet said he will run in June's election. His supporters, however, insist he is eligible to run. They argue that his first term does not count since he was picked by lawmakers rather than voted into office by universal suffrage. Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005.

There was no immediate reaction from the Burundi government regarding Kikwete's concerns.

Catholics in Burundi represent about 70% of the total population. The Church played a key role in peace talks in Burundi.

Leadership Inexperience to Blame for Protracted South Sudan Conflict, Catholic Bishop Says, Downplays Ethnicity Factor

CANAA || Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 23 March 2015

A South Sudanese Catholic Bishops has blamed inexperience on the part of South Sudanese leadership and the embryonic institutions for the protracted South Sudan violent conflict and downplayed the factor of ethnicity in the 15-month political stalemate.

Violent conflict in the world’s newest country erupted in December 2013 resulting from political in-fighting between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President, Riek Machar and their respective factions. Since then, thousands have been killed, millions uprooted from their homes and several millions exposed to hunger and disease risks.

The warring parties have been engaged in peace talks led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) aimed at bringing about a definitive end to the conflict.

In an exclusive interview with CANAA in Nairobi on Monday, Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak of the Catholic diocese Wau argues that “at the level of leadership, it is the first time in the history of the people of South Sudan that they have a parliament of their own (and) a sovereign government with an executive” and that “these are huge responsibilities that take time to mature and to develop in order to have a peaceful, stable, and prosperous community.”

Bishop Deng has heard about the proposal to have President Salva Kiir and the rebel leader Riak Machar step aside for a new team of leaders and terms this “too lofty an idea, with no feet on the ground.”

Bishop Deng who hails from the Dinka ethnic community, the largest single tribe in South Sudan, downplays ethnicity factor in the South Sudan conflict saying, “claims of ethnicity are too simplistic and offensive to people who come from the area.”

Below is the full text of the interview with Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak of the Catholic Diocese of Wau, South Sudan.

CANAA: Your Lordship, welcome to this interview and thank you for availing yourself to CANAA, a continental news service in its infancy.

Bishop Deng: It is a privilege to be able to reach out to our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa and share with them the insights that I have as someone who is announcing the gospel, the Good News of peace and reconciliation, justice, and love and forgiveness, so that they know something from a brother who is living there in the place. They can help with their prayers and solidarity.

CANAA: South Sudan has been in the news for the last several months for the wrong reason, just after a couple of years of independence, which put the country on the global map as a new nation with great potential. Why, in your view, is this conflict taking too long to resolve?

Bishop Deng: It is a bit baffling even to us who are on the scene why it is taking so long; the issues to us, up to a certain point, are clear. There is great inexperience and we are able to understand this inexperience: the first time in the history of the people of South Sudan to have a government of their own as a sovereign nation. And most of the communities (South Sudan) consider themselves still (to) belong to their villages, to their clans, to their tribes; a sense of nationhood has got to be built.

I am a student of history, although I specialized in Church history many years ago. But Church history is about the history of peoples and communities who have chosen to belong to Christ, so we understand (history) in the light of Christ. And in South Sudan, we understand that where Christianity is deep, humanity is also deep. It is because people get the light of the Gospel and they are able to deepen their relationships and they are able to conduct themselves in a more cohesive and more coherent way. Am not saying Christians are the best members but (Christianity) gives us the opportunity to know Christ and to belong to him, giving a perspective that is a lot more healthy and a lot more universal, having chosen to follow the one who called himself the way, the truth, and the life.

CANAA: When you speak about inexperience as the reason behind the protracted conflict in South Sudan, is it in reference to institutions being embryonic, the leadership of these institutions as lacking in experience, the government leadership lacking in vision? Kindly qualify this inexperience factor.

Bishop Deng: It is all that. But immediately, I have to say that the communities (South Sudan) have never had the opportunity to live together as a nation. It is the first time we are beginning to have this sense (of a nation). Yes, it is true we have suffered together. But that is about it. It hasn’t gone to the deeper level of formation. That takes time. So, at the level of the community, at the level of leadership, it is the first time in the history of the people of South Sudan that they have a parliament of their own, a sovereign government with an executive, a military. And these are huge responsibilities that take time to mature and to develop in order to have a peaceful, stable, and prosperous community.

CANAA: It is common knowledge that this conflict has, on one side, Salva Kiir, duly elected by the people of South Sudan as the first President of the republic, and on the other side, Riek Machar, who was the first Vice President of the republic. There are those who have said that if these two leaders would step aside, this would ease tensions in the country and make easier the process towards lasting peace. What is your take with regard to this school of thought?

Bishop Deng: People are free of course to express themselves. I have also heard about it. And I say it is too lofty an idea, with no feet on the ground. An elected President, it is not easy to tell him please step down. Remember Dr. Machar was Deputy for many years. He ran the South when Sudan was one, and he was the Vice President. He had all the powers to organize the people, to sensitive the people for nearly six years. I think he felt good about it. I would like to think that he learned some experience of good governance; it is not something that comes automatically of course with a doctorate from the university; you have to go about it in a more complicated way consulting with the people, being people-focused, being people-centered, (and) having a sense of accountability.

When the conflict broke out, I knew that none of them (Salva Kiir and Riek Machar) has the truth in their pockets. They are both to blame. There is this inexperience, corruption, lack of accountability, a sense of frugality, a sense of thriftiness, a sense of poverty because people are just coming out from the ashes and the dust of the destruction of the civil war, all that has to be kept together.

President Salva Kiir as a person is a very godly person, but he is surrounded by people who like a lot of money, they like to enjoy good life, good food, and of course this is distasteful, not only to Dr. Riek who, incidentally, not everybody agrees with what he is saying because when he had the opportunity, he did exactly what he is accusing the present regime of doing, in order that he may have the chance to come back and do the same. There is a lot of opinion, very strong opinion that these people are just causing destruction for nothing.

CANAA: People have talked about the ethnic dimension to this conflict. Some have even argued that negative ethnicity has been behind the prolonging of the conflict. Is this accurate, in your view?

Bishop Deng: No, no, it is not. I come from a village which is neighbouring the Nuer community. I was born south of Western Nuer. And as children, we used to mix with the Nuer children. I am a Dinka. And we used to go to the Nuer. We established friendships and intermarriages. Claims of ethnicity are too simplistic and offensive to people who come from the area like me. Many times, African conflicts are reduced to clans, tribes. It is not as simple as that.

This conflict is about inexperience. There is a lot of inexperience in leadership. And leadership is not given on the paper. It is something acquired. There is inexperience in governance, and people have to learn about it and go about it in this clumsy way, with ups and downs, make their mistakes, and the hope is that people will learn from their mistakes.

There is also the aspect of resources and power in order to access the resources. I have not heard this from Dr. Riek, but I have heard people say that the Dinka are accumulating wealth. It is not really as simple as that. You will get people from the Nuer community who are making a lot of wealth and people from the Nuer community who are just rotting away.

No, it is more than that. It is a sense of accountability, a sense of fairness, and fair distribution of wealth, taking care of the poor, offering services, opening up health centres, roads, education, getting the food production going so that the prices of food in the market come down and people are able to access enough food to keep them going.

No, it is not as simple as that, that when the leadership of South (Sudan) will be in the hands of the Nuer, it will be better off, I don’t think for one moment of that. No! It is a lot more than that.

CANAA: You have called on the international community to intervene in this conflict. This is already happening with IGAD arbitrating the peace talks. In addition, early this month, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution toward imposing sanctions on persons known to be responsible for, complicit in, or engaged directly or indirectly in blocking peace in South Sudan. These sanctions would include travel bans and an assets freeze on individuals and even entities. Do you approve of this move?

Bishop Deng: No! I don’t think it will help. They (candidates to be sanctioned) will just continue to amass wealth in their own way. You may freeze (their assets) but they will create other ways (of getting assets). They are very resourceful and they will find ways of building up wealth.

Yes, it may give a sense that the UN is serious, but it is not helping the common man. The common man will just rot away in this process of freezing assets, and the cronies and the friends of these big groups will continue to survive, the lot of the common man will be worse than what it is now.

CANAA: As a Church leader in South Sudan, actively involved in preaching the Good News, do you see signs of hope in the republic of South Sudan that you can speak about?

Bishop Deng: Yes, there are. I know of a lot of good people, very conscientious people, people who are fully aware of what is going on in terms of the negatives, but people who also know that there is a lot of good will that can be captured across the board, from Western Equatoria to Eastern Equatoria to Central Equatoria to Upper Nile to Greater Bahr El Ghazal, there is a lot of good will of people who would like to come together if they are given an opportunity and prove to some of the international people that something good can come out of South Sudan if only an opportunity is offered.

Nearly forty, fifty years of warfare, it is true that it has produced very corrupt leaders, but it is also true that it has produced wonderful personalities in terms of sacrifice and what needs to be done to pull together in order to get people out of this quagmire.

It is not all doom and gloom. There is a bit of that. But there is also a lot of good will that we know. If only given the opportunity, it will come to the fore and it will make a difference.

CANAA: Thank you for sharing these perspectives. What would be your parting message?

Bishop Deng: My last message is that there is hope. I started my school way back in 1951 when the British were still in South Sudan. So I have grown through it all. I have seen it all. Some of my best friends are not from Bahr El Ghazal, they are not from Wau, they are not from the Dinka ethnic community. It has been a wonderful opportunity to grow in this huge rainbow of communities, different ethnicities; so much wealth there is in terms of ideas and in terms of cooperation. No one should lose heart. There is a way forward. We should all pray and prepare that the first opportunity that will be given we are able to choose the people who will go and do a lot better work than what we are witnessing now. Thank you for this opportunity.

Vatican Donates €500 Thousand to Help Ebola Crisis

Vatican Radio || 18 March 2015

The Holy See has given €500,000 to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Ebola crisis in West Africa, especially Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

The Fund is being distributed by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, the President of the Council, said the Fund has many objectives, including improving existing health care structures, offering psychological help for families affected by the Ebola crisis, and to aid local dioceses and parishes to develop sacramental practices which minimize the risk of transmitting the virus.

The Council is currently seeking additional donors to add to the fund, and has doubled the amount of the original papal donation, but Cardinal Turkson said he hopes to have 2 or 3 million euros before distributing funds to Catholic organizations battling the crisis.

“The applications [for grants] have started coming already, but want to reach a decent level before we start treating applications,” Cardinal Turkson told Vatican Radio.

The Council has limited initial grants to €30,000, and is encouraging larger projects to get matching funds before applying.

Pope Expresses His Nearness to the Bishops and People of Nigeria

Vatican Information Service || 17 March 2015

Pope Francis has written a letter to the Bishops of Nigeria ensuring them of his nearness to all those in that country. Although Nigeria has one of the strongest economies in all of Africa, it is facing new and violent forms of extremism and fundamentalism that tragically affect the society as a whole. The letter, published today, is dated 2 March, 2015. Following is the full text of the letter:

While we walk this Lenten journey towards the Resurrection of the Lord united with the whole Church, I wish to extend to you, dear Archbishops and Bishops of Nigeria, a fraternal greeting, which I extend to the beloved Christian communities entrusted to your pastoral care. I would also like to share some thoughts with you on the current situation in your country.

Nigeria, known as the ''African giant'', with its more than 160 million inhabitants, is set to play a primary role, not only in Africa but in the world at large. In recent years, it has experienced robust growth in the economic sphere and has again reasserted itself on the world stage as an attractive market, on account of its natural resources as well as its commercial potential. It is now considered officially the single largest African economy. It has also distinguished itself as a political player widely committed to the resolution of crisis situations in the continent.

At the same time, your nation has had to confront considerable problems, among them new and violent forms of extremism and fundamentalism on ethnic, social and religious grounds. Many Nigerians have been killed, wounded or mutilated, kidnapped and deprived of everything: their loved ones, their land, their means of subsistence, their dignity and their rights. Many have not been able to return to their homes. Believers, both Christian and Muslim, have experienced a common tragic outcome, at the hands of people who claim to be religious, but who instead abuse religion, to make of it an ideology for their own distorted interests of exploitation and murder.

I would like to assure you and all who suffer of my closeness. Every day I remember you in my prayers and I repeat here, for your encouragement and comfort, the consoling words of the Lord Jesus, which must always resound in our hearts: ''Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you''.

Peace – as you know so well – is not only the absence of conflict or the result of political compromise or fatalistic resignation. Peace is for us a gift which comes from on high; it is Jesus Christ himself, the Prince of Peace, who has made of two peoples one (cf. Eph 2:14). And only the man or woman who treasures the peace of Christ as a guiding light and way of life can become a peacemaker (cf. Mt 5:9).

At the same time, peace is a daily endeavour, a courageous and authentic effort to favour reconciliation, to promote experiences of sharing, to extend bridges of dialogue, to serve the weakest and the excluded. In a word, peace consists in building up a ''culture of encounter''.

And so I wish here to express my heartfelt thanks to you, because in the midst of so many trials and sufferings the Church in Nigeria does not cease to witness to hospitality, mercy and forgiveness. How can we fail to remember the priests, religious men and women, missionaries and catechists who, despite untold sacrifices, never abandoned their flock, but remained at their service as good and faithful heralds of the Gospel? To them, most particularly, I would like to express my solidarity, and to say: do not grow tired of doing what is right!

We give thanks to the Lord for them, as for so many men and women of every social, cultural and religious background, who with great willingness stand up in concrete ways to every form of violence, and whose efforts are directed at favouring a more secure and just future for all. They offer us moving testimonies, which, as Pope Benedict XVI recalled at the end of the Synod for Africa, show ''the power of the Spirit to transform the hearts of victims and their persecutors and thus to re-establish fraternity''.

Dear Brother Bishops, in perseverance and without becoming discouraged, go forward on the way of peace . Accompany the victims! Come to the aid of the poor! Teach the youth! Become promoters of a more just and fraternal society!

I gladly impart to you my Apostolic Blessing, which I ask you to extend to priests, religious, missionaries, catechists, lay faithful and above all to those suffering members of the Body of Christ.

May the Resurrection of the Lord bring conversion, reconciliation and peace to all the people of Nigeria! I commend you to Mary, Queen of Africa, and I ask you also to pray for me.

Pope Francis Condemns Tunisia Attack

Vatican Radio || 19 March 2015

Pope Francis sent a telegram offering prayers for the victims of Wednesday’s terror attack in Tunis, in which at least 23 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded, many among them foreign tourists.

In the telegram, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and addressed to the Archbishop of Tunis, Ilario Antoniazzi, the Holy Father decries the attack as, “[An act] against peace and the sacredness of human life.” He goes on to assure the families of the victims, all those affected by the incident, and the whole Tunisian people, of his continued prayers.

The Pope’s condemnation and condolences came after remarks from Cardinal Parolin, who told Vatican Radio, “[The attack was] something most cruel and inhuman, truly unthinkable: to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.” Cardinal Parolin went on to say, We must hope that, in the name of God, no more violence is committed.”

Tunisia has suffered violence at the hands of Islamic militants in the past, and a disproportionately large number of Tunisians have joined the so-called “Islamic State” in Syria and Iraq. Tunisian security forces are currently battling Islamic militants belonging to several groups, including Ansar al Sharia, which the US lists as a terrorist group, and an al Qaeda affiliate with fighters operating along the Algerian border.

Speaking on national television in the wake of the attack, Tunisia’s President, Beji Caid Essebsi, said his country would not be intimidated. “These monstrous minorities do not frighten us,” he said.

Tour operators have already begun to react to the incident, with Italian cruise company Costa announcing it will be suspending calls to Tunisian ports. Tourism accounts for nearly 10% of the Tunisian economy, which is still struggling to steady itself along with the whole of Tunisian society, in the wake of a democratic reform movement that led to the ouster of the country’s long-time ruler at the start of what came to be known as the Arab Spring.

The Unholy Alliance against Educated African Women

CANAA || Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 16 March 2015

This is the speech delivered at the Vatican on March 8, 2015 at the “Voices of Faith” conference marking International Women’s Day by Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, a Jesuit priest from Nigeria, based at the Nairobi’s Jesuit Hekima College. He recently finished his term of service as the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in East Africa.

Fr. Orobator centered his talk on the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok village, North East of Nigeria in April 2014 by “the dreaded and infamous terrorist group, Boko Haram.” Based on this kidnapping, Fr. Orobator gave what a National Catholic Reporter writer has described as “a commanding presentation on the discrimination faced by African women and girls.”

The Sunday March 8 event was the second hosted by Voices of Faith from the Vatican in two years.

The speech was availed to CANAA by Fr. Orobator, with a link from the AmericaMagazine.com from the where the present heading is adopted.

Speech at the Voices of Faith Conference at the Vatican

On March 8, 2015

By Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ

I stand here as the odd one out, yet truly blessed, grateful and privileged to share this podium with such a diverse and global group of distinguished and accomplished women. I salute and honor the causes and commitments that you promote and represent for our society, our church and our world.

The invitation to this event came by way of what perhaps should have passed as an inconsequential initiative. As you may recall, in April 2014, the dreaded and infamous terrorist group, Boko Haram, abducted and kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in Chibok village in northeastern Nigeria. That event triggered a global manifestation of outrage and solidarity—outrage against a brazen act of religious banditry and jihadist zealotry; solidarity for the innocent teenage abductees and their families. The resulting international social-media campaign, #BringBackOurGirls, attracted high-profile global support. Callous and depraved as the act seemed at the time—and still does 388 days later—I felt strong indignation and frustration because of the nonchalance and indifference that characterized the response of the Nigerian government.

Being a Jesuit, my role and ministry involve denouncing injustice and social ills that violate the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a message of compassion, care and solidarity with the most vulnerable. My faith compels me to speak out and act on behalf of justice. So, I wrote an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, demanding his immediate resignation on account of gross dereliction of his constitutional duty to protect the Chibok Girls.I was quite aware of the risk involved; and my superiors were also aware and informed. I knew I could have been arrested or intimidated by the government, but it was a price worth paying for the cause of justice, which I deeply believe in as a Jesuit.

Initially, in my letter, I contended that the reaction of the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria would have been significantly different, that is, urgent, resolute and relentless, had one of the abductees been the president’s daughter. Come to think of it, I argued, what parent would go to sleep, occupy himself or herself with petty political chores, while their daughter languished in the forest stronghold of a murderous gang driven by a nihilistic sectarian ideology? Yet, on deeper reflection, the sad reality was not that the Chibok girls were not daughters of wealthy and powerful politicians; it was simply that they were girls—people who society and culture actively conspire to downgrade their social premium and human dignity to that of second class citizens: children, as it were, of a lesser god. Unless and until we confront the misguided belief that the girl-child simply does not count in the order of gender priority, the impunity of groups like Boko Haram, the Taliban, Al Quaeda and Al-Shabab and their trademark fanaticism will continue.

Thus I have come to the conclusion that the abduction of the Chibok Girls is a consequence of a prior violation of the fundamental human rights of the girl-child, especially her right to education. Statistics on this matter don’t lie. Sub-Saharan Africa records the lowest enrolment ratios of girls and the lowest rate of completion for girls in primary and secondary education compared to boys (The UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Global Education Digest 2011).

There are underlying factors that militate against the education of the girl-child that we may not simply overlook or ignore. Many societies in sub-Saharan Africa peg the value of a girl-child on the economic return projected to her physiognomy, including the tone or complexion of her skin, and her stature. When educated, as in some parts of Nigeria, her “market” value is calculated based on her level of schooling.

The frustration of women’s dream for education emerges from the same combination of cultural prejudice, social indifference, economic miscalculations, political ineptitude, religious fanaticism and sectarian hatred. Put together they militate against the chances—however little—of the girl-child in quest of education for integral human development and social transformation. We are familiar with the slogan that the development of a nation is premised on the imperative of educating the girl-child: educate a girl and educate a nation! Though repeated with regularity, this slogan only seldom translates into reality, because the equation is heavily rigged in her disfavor.

The forces arrayed against the education of the girl-child are legion and formidable. To quote the British prime minister, David Cameron, in the aftermath of the horrific massacre at a school in Peshawar by Pakistani Taliban in December 2014, “it is horrifying that children are simply killed for going to school.” The horror of such attacks carries a significant gender quotient, because the odds, risk and toll rise significantly when those school children are girls. Although the perpetrators of terror facilely and routinely anchor their brutal assault of the educated girl or woman on religion, I remain convinced that the gods are not to blame. And this is my second conclusion: the drivers of destructive gender-based violence run deep in the collective socio-cultural psyche. Truth be told, any society that relegates women to a secondary status and allots them menial tasks, creates propitious conditions for gender-based violence and morally depraved ideologies to emerge and thrive. In the final analysis, I find profoundly disturbing not only the fact that the educated woman is perceived as a threat to such ideologies, but also the sad realization that such ideologies render the educated, independent and competent African woman an endangered species. It would take an equally compelling counter-narrative to prise open the stranglehold of sectarian ideologies, banditry and zealotry that weighs heavily on the fate of women, especially in developing countries.

Promoting this counter-narrative is key to a change of mentality. We need strong and bold voices of faith, hope and charity, of women re-reading and reinterpreting the sacred texts of world religions, challenging the centuries old and regnant patriarchal, misogynistic hermeneutics to which societies and cultures have become almost accustomed, and modelling in creative and innovative ways the possibilities and potential of an indestructible and creative female spirit, unfettered and unbowed by expectations of a dominant male class.

Finally, back to our Chibok Girls. Let me make clear that I do not claim to be a voice for them. I can only imagine their pain and regret at the fatal cost of dreaming to be educated Nigerian women, as daily they bemoan their fate and the loss of that dream. Daily they cry, daily they lament, held captive by people who fear and combat mortally the well-educated African woman. If we listen carefully, there are millions of Chibok Girls in our world shut out of the halls of learning by a conspiracy of cultural complacency, gender discrimination and political short-sightedness. There are millions of Chibok Girls whose dream for education have been truncated by atavistic mentalities that consider women as tradable and disposable commodities or as useful currency to preserve the cause of a socially engineered machinery of gender superiority. There are millions of Chibok Girls whose fate challenges our claims to unrivalled globalization and technological progress in the 21^st century. There are millions of Chibok Girls whose singular gifts would forever be lost to humanity because of terrorists who turn schools into abattoirs of civilization—any civilization. These are the girls we need to bring back, whose voices we may not remain deaf to.

As a race, notwithstanding the unparalleled technological advancements of our times, we still remain largely uneducated in the art of honouring the dignity of woman, reverencing her unbowed spirit and upholding her inalienable rights to common social goods. Unless and until we excel in this kind of education, I submit, our world would remain half-finished, incomplete and violated.

We have to bring back our girls—all of them!

"Africa, a continent on the move", Comboni Family reflects on Africa

Agenzia Fides || 14 March 2015

The conference, "Africa, the continent on the move" is taking place at the Auditorium of Seraphicum in Rome, organized by the Comboni missionaries.

"From colonialism to the emergence of independent states, ethnic conflicts, Western intervention/interference, from the recent entry of new geo-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic powers, to the Arab spring, from the growth of civil society to the role of young Churches.

The great African continent has witnessed, in the last century, an incessant redefinition of the parameters of sovereignty, growth and development.

This conference (from March 13 to 15) aims to talk about Africa, its problems, the challenges that the great continent has to face, its achievements, the contribution that Africa can give to this world considered now a 'global village'.

An initiative that is part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Plan for the Regeneration of Africa of Daniele Comboni, organized by the Comboni Missionaries with the cooperation of the Comboni Missionary Sisters.

Jesuit Institute in South Africa Screens Documentary on the Marikana Massacre

Vatican Radio || Fr. Russell Pollitt, SJ || 14 March 2015

On Wednesday, 11 March, the Jesuit Institute hosted a screening of the multi-award winning documentary “Miners Shot Down”. The documentary follows the events leading up to the Marikana massacre on 16 August, 2012. It includes striking footage from numerous sources, including the South African Police Services, Lonmin security and Al Jezeera. It also presents interviews with key players in the events of Marikana, including deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, strike leaders, photojournalists and lawyers representing the miners’ families.

Screened in blue-ray definition quality, the event was well received by the 60 or so attendees, some of who included Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron, Archbishop Emeritus of Pretoria George Daniel, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference as well as people from media outlets.

Mzoxolo Magidiwana is a miner who was on site at Marikana during the strike and was himself shot by the police on that fateful day in August. With such an outstanding turnout of both attendees and people involved in the making of this documentary, the discussion which followed the screening was passionate and memorable. The discussion involved such broad topics as the economic situation of miners in South Africa, the accountability of the government and police, the possible outcome of the Marikana Commission and the role of the media in the growth and development of South Africa as a democracy.

With the report from the Marikana Commission to be completed sometime during this month of March and submitted to the President, the Jesuit Institute desired to facilitate this important screening and discussion. Integral to Ignatian spirituality is a faith that does justice. The mission of the Society of Jesus is to serve the Christian faith, recognising that an essential part to this mission is the promotion of justice (32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, Decree 4, Paragraph 2).

This documentary and the discussion, which followed, highlighted important challenges to the economic and social well being of South Africa. The Institute believes responsible Christians and citizens of South Africa need to be conscious of, discuss, raise awareness about, and work towards resolving our societal issues. These challenges include ensuring that reasonable wage levels are paid to workers that enable families to survive, the police force and government are held accountable to citizens and that multi-national corporations are held socially responsible.

The Jesuit Institute, by hosting events such as the screening of “Miners Shot Down”, remains dedicated to facilitating public dialogue on these and other important challenges that South Africa faces. Furthermore, it believes that Catholic Social Teaching can make an effective contribution to the public discourse as South Africa continues to build a solid foundation for its democratic future.

Another screening of “Miners Shot Down” is scheduled for St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Orlando West, Soweto, on 27 April at 15h00.

(Fr. Russell Pollitt, S.J. /[email protected])

e-mail: [email protected]

SECAM Justice and Peace Commission Resolves ‘to create a continental structure of resolution of conflicts’

CANAA || Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 16 March 2015

The Justice, Peace and Development Commission of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has resolved to intervene in conflicts on the continent in a coordinated manner by creating a continental structure of resolution of conflicts.

The resolution is contained in the communiqué at the conclusion of SECAM Justice and Peace Commissions 2015 Congress held at Döbra, in the Archdiocese of Windhoek (Namibia) from March 11-15, 2015 under the theme "Justice and Peace at the service of reconciliation and integral development of Africa."

“SECAM is committed to create a structure or a continental reconciliation committee in the event of conflicts, a committee that is able to go wherever there is need for mediation,” the communiqué signed by SECAM Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Development, Archbishop Gabriel Yaw Justice Anokye of Kumasi, Ghana, reads in part.

“Under the terms of the prophetic, sacerdotal and royal characteristics of their baptism, the Justice and Peace Commissions of the continent and Adjacent Islands invite Christians, first of all pastors and pastoral agents, to break the silence of fear in order to make the prophetic voice of the Church heard and to express the Messianic presence of Jesus Christ in today’s living of the People of God,” the communiqué availed to CANAA on Monday continues.

Participants at the congress assessed violence and religious extremism in Africa and “analyzed the contribution of the inter-religious dialogue toward the consolidation of peace and the bringing together of peoples and cultures.”

The congress identified “management and redistribution of the income drawn from natural resources” as one of the main causes of conflicts on the continent.

The congress further discussed the challenges due to migration in the light of the Church’s social teaching, health crisis especially the Ebola virus, the HIV/AIDS pandemics and other diseases such as malaria, and “the climate change issue with its dramatic impact on populations.”

Other recommendations by the participants at the five-day congress include co-operation with the Governments in fostering reconciliation, justice and peace and the “creation of an African church network on the management of the Equatorial Forest.”

Below is the full text of the communiqué of the 2015 congress of SECAM Justice and Peace Commission.

2015 CONGRESS OF SECAM JUSTICE

AND PEACE COMMISSIONS

"Justice and Peace at the service of reconciliation

and integral development of Africa"

FINAL MESSAGE

I. INTRODUCTION

1. We, Archbishops, President-Bishops of Justice and Peace Regional and National Commissions, Justice and Peace Regional and National Coordinators and/or Secretaries, the Secretary General of Caritas Africa, Representatives of SECAM Experts’ Groups and Working Groups, Members of SECAM Justice, Peace and Development Commission as well as Participants in the SECAM Justice and Peace Commissions 2015 Congress on the topic "Justice and Peace at the service of reconciliation and integral development of Africa", which was held at Döbra, in the Archdiocese of Windhoek (Namibia) from 11^thto 15^thMarch 2015, address this message of peace and reconciliation to catholic Christians, to men and women of goodwill, to the governments and public actors of our continent.

2. We seize this opportunity to thank the Association of the Episcopal Conferences of Southern Africa (IMBISA), the Family-Church of God that is in Namibia, in particular the Archdiocese of Windhoek for their warm welcome and hospitality towards us. We express our gratitude towards the Namibian government for having ensured our safety and for having facilitated our entry and stay in this beautiful country of Southern Africa. We are grateful towards SECAM Partners, particularly CAFOD, MISEREOR, CARITAS AFRICA, whose assistance and solidarity enabled us to hold our Congress successfully. We express our solidarity and our communion to the people of Africa and other continents who are going through crisis and violence situations with their batch of innocent victims and misplaced populations.

II. Our analysis

3. In our Continent which is more and more confronted to issues of violence and religious extremism, we analyzed the contribution of the inter-religious dialogue toward the consolidation of peace and the bringing together of peoples and cultures. We are convinced that the inter-religious dialogue coupled with good governance practices by our African leaders constitute a genuine engine for the integral development of our countries. With regard to conflict and confrontation theatres that are often fatal, the Family-Church of God that is in Africa intends to bring her contribution in accordance with her specific mission of evangelization and human promotion. Her priority actions touch mainly education of consciences in order to develop responsible actions that can bring peace between men.

4. To reinforce her visibility and her voice in decision-making circles, the Family-Church of God that is in Africa initiated in certain regions of our continent a dialogue and consultation framework with the political world. Through this framework known as Catholic Parliamentarians’ Liaison Offices, the SECAM Justice and Peace Commission intend to contribute to the debate on public policies, to facilitate and promote peaceful transitions, democracy and good governance. We invite our African leaders to avoid any manipulation of the fundamental law in order to perpetuate their political mandate.

5. In the light of the Social Teaching of the Church, we have been challenged by the social issue caused by the phenomenon of migration. Together, we have identified concerns and hopes caused by migration. To make African youth an agent of reconciliation and peace, we recommend pastoral hospitality and welcome: "I was a foreigner and you welcomed me…" (cf. MT 25, 31-40) as well as pastoral consultation and collaboration in order to lay down common rules as regards migration. Having identified the search for better comfort and better living as the main cause of migration for entire families, in particular the young people of the continent, we strongly challenge our leaders to work for the creation of necessary living conditions in Africa for this well-being and better-living through intelligent, responsible, good and sound governance of our resources.

6. Conscious that the mode of exploitation, management and redistribution of the income drawn from natural resources is one of the main causes of conflicts in Africa, we reflected on the finality of natural resources, on our way of understanding "living together" concept, on our forms of redistributing and sharing both at national and planetary level. Faithful to the Word of God and the Social Teaching of the Church, we affirm that the earth and all that it contains are a gift from God for the whole humankind, which implies fair distribution of goods but also transparent and responsible management and exploitation. Taking into account the United Nations post 2015 Agenda, SECAM published a document about Africa sustainable development.

7. To respond to the health crisis, including the Ebola virus, the HIV/AIDS pandemics and other diseases such as malaria, the Family-Church of God that is in Africa has to intensify the significant role that she has been playing already for the promotion of social cohesion and national health policies for all because access to healthcare should not be the privilege for some rich people but a right for all. In the name of our preferential option for the most vulnerable and the poor, we strongly affirm that life and human dignity of the human being are sacred and inalienable. The human person being also a social being, our mission is to build a human society that stands against any form of exclusion or discrimination, be it economic, political, cultural or social.

8. Aware of the fact that we belong to the human family, we cannot be unaware of the climate change issue with its dramatic impact on populations. On our Continent, it results particularly in the ever growing food insecurity which often causes famine in most of our countries. In this context, as Justice and Peace Commissions members and promoters, we denounce the practices of land expropriation of which peasants or farmers are victims. These expropriations are sometimes perpetrated with the complicity of central and local authorities and even with the support of certain multinational companies.

III. Our Resolutions and Recommendations

1. Co-operation with the Governments in favour of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace

Africa Justice and Peace Commissions are committed to put at the disposal of the governments of the Continent and the Adjacent Islands their contribution and their experiences in favour of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. Moreover, they appeal to all Christ’s faithful disciples to be vigilant and engaged in public affairs, to know how to courageously alert the International Community through a wake-up call for them to work for high ethical intensity world governance. To this end, SECAM has recommended the celebration of the year of reconciliation in Africa from 29 July 2015 to 29 July 2016. The Bishops appeal to the Justice and Peace Commissions in Africa to support and facilitate this august call.

2. Creation of a continental structure of resolution of conflicts

SECAM is committed to create a structure or a continental reconciliation committee in the event of conflicts, a committee that is able to go wherever there is need for mediation. Under the terms of the prophetic, sacerdotal and royal characteristics of their baptism, the Justice and Peace Commissions of the continent and Adjacent Islands invite Christians, first of all pastors and pastoral agents, to break the silence of fear in order to make the prophetic voice of the Church heard and to express the Messianic presence of Jesus Christ in today’s living of the People of God.

3. Creation of an African church network on the management of the Equatorial Forest

Following the example of the Pan-Amazonia Church Network (REPAM), Africa Justice and Peace Commissions are committed to create an African Church Network regrouping in particular the neighboring countries of the Equatorial Forest for transparent and responsible management for this common legacy which is meant for the entire humanity.

CONCLUSION

We call upon the intercession of Our Lady of the Perpetual Help, the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace and Africa for reconciliation, justice and peace in our Continent.

Done at Dobra, Windhoek, on 15^thMarch, 2015

Most Rev. Gabriel Justice ANOKYE                                                                                                  

Archbishop of Kumasi, Second Vice President of SECAM,                                                    

Chairman of SECAM Justice, Peace and Development Commission

Alarm for the Recruitment of Young Muslims in Eastern DR Congo

Agenzia Fides || 12 March 2015

Young Congolese Muslims are recruited in North and South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The alarm is launched by some articles in the Belgian and Congolese press. "The phenomenon seems to have taken a worrying dimension", says to Agenzia Fides Fr. Loris Cattani, a Xaverian missionary with a deep knowledge of the area.

"In the report of the group of UN experts on the east of the DRC, the existence of relations between the Congolese armed groups and the Somali Shabaab have not been identified, however, the Congolese press articles raise the prospect of relations even with Boko Haram", says the missionary.

There is already the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) in the area, a group of Ugandan origin that has expressed a strong jihadist ideology: it is accused among other things of the disappearance of three Assumptionist fathers of whom we have no news since October 2012 (see Fides 22/10/2012).

"I would not want the different African jihadist groups to create a bridge from Somalia to Nigeria and Mali, passing through the east of the DRC, Sudan, the Central African Republic and parts of Chad and Cameroon", said Fr. Loris.

According to press reports, the young Congolese are sent by the Muslim Defense International in the area of Graben to be indoctrinated and trained in the use of arms.

The area is a sort of "free zone" used to train young Islamist fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Nigeria, who are then sent back to their countries of origin.

"The phenomenon is yet to be understood in its entirety, but it seems to me that based on what has emerged so far, it is time to ring the alarm bell about what is happening in this part of the Democratic Republic of Congo", concludes Fr. Loris.

Nigerian Politicians Must Do More For the People, Says Bishops’ Conference President

Vatican Radio || By RFI || 12 March 2015

Nigeria's Archbishop of Jos and President of the Bishops' conference says he’s trying to draw the Government’s attention to the plight of refugees displaced by the Boko Haram’s insurgency in northeast Nigeria. Archbishop Kaigama said this during an event organised by 'Aid to the Church in Need' in Paris, France on 9 March 2015. Below is the interview Archbishop Kaigama granted to RFI’s Daniel Finnan.

Has it been hard for you to be non-partisan during this election campaign?

Very hard. My ministry embraces everyone from different cultural, linguistic, political and social backgrounds, and trying to stay neutral is very tough. But we already have a rule, the priests and the Bishops: [we] are forbidden from participating in partisan politics. So that helps me a lot to keep straight, to be limited to my ministry to preaching the word of God and supporting people and showing them where to go and what to do at the right time.

There have been allegations that clergymen have received money to support President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is election time, there is a lot of propaganda and we want facts, not just gossip that doesn’t have a foundation. I am a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria and we are sometimes asked that, how many billion were given by the Government to this body to share? I tell people that I’m yet to see my own share, it’s only when I see that money, then I will know how to react because that money should not be going to us.

The Conference of Bishops has met with both candidates, how would you describe them as people, their characters?

They’re good human beings, good Nigerians, they have a legitimate aspiration to lead the country. Everyone’s promising to offer something. The taste of the fruit is in the eating. So we want to be able to know who really can redeem Nigeria. Nigeria has problems, we must admit, there are issues that have to be tackled head-on. We need a dynamic, dependable, reliable leader who also fears God and is concerned about the common good of the ordinary people. I tell you, there is so much suffering in the midst of plenty. These candidates must convince us beyond reasonable doubt that they have something to offer and they’re not going in for their own interests because politics in Nigeria is about ‘me, myself and I.' It’s not about the people. We want politicians who go in to work and use the resources available for the people, with the people and make it available to everybody.

Your archdiocese Jos has frequently been the scene of sectarian violence – hundreds of people were killed in 2001, 2008, 2010. In the run-up to the vote, has enough been done to prevent this from happening again?

On the side of Government, they do what they do on radio, on television, but we as a religious body we try our best. In the Archdiocese of Jos I have established a centre called the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace Centre. That centre is meant to be proactive in curtailing the violence that we witness during elections and even religious misunderstandings. We bring in elders, women, young people and we try conscientise them that dialogue is better, let’s resolve issues in a civilised way around the table, not by hostile confrontation. For the elections we had a programme for the youths, for the security agents, for the electoral officers, we invited them to this centre on different dates to conscientise them to create an awareness that we must do it right this time. This is just a humble effort of the Church, we are not politicians, but we try to ensure that we’re contributing in creating a very friendly and favourable environment for politics to take-off and let it be functional politics that is meant for the development and progress of our people.

The Nigerian Government says that 1 million people have been displaced by the fighting in northern Nigeria linked to the Boko Haram insurgency. The Church is helping those who have fled into Cameroon. What are you learning about the conditions for those Nigerian refugees?

I have just received a report, as president of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria, I asked a delegation to visit northern Cameroon, where we have 36,000 Nigerian refugees. They have just returned from their mission and it was a very successful one. In collaboration with the Bishops of Douala, Maroua and so on, they went to give hope to the people and to be able to also study the situation, what is really happening on the ground. Not just reports we get with basis, but something they can verify and they’re going to compile a report that will be helpful to us as a Church and we can also share it with Government. Because I announced this visit and they [the Government] even offered to help us financially so that we can help the refugees. We contributed money from the Church, adding to what the Government gave us - hopefully we will find a very good way of helping them with the money that we have collected. The Church is very concerned that these people should be helped where they are, and by the grace of God, that they should return home, to their homes and be supported by Government to settle properly back home.

You mentioned the money. The federal Government has given you $250,000. It doesn’t seem enough.

It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness - there is so much darkness. What is at stake now is not just to supply the needs of everybody, but it’s to give hope. The Church is just there as a light, as a candlelight. It’s not bright enough, but it’s still light. So we are trying to draw the attention of Government that they should do more. We believe there are resources available, that rather than channel these resources elsewhere, recklessly for election purposes, or other personal purposes, we should help these Nigerians. That is the point we are making. Right now, it’s not about how much they receive, but to draw the attention of Government and well-meaning people anywhere in the world that there is suffering, there are refugees who are stuck out there and they need help and something needs to be done very, very fast.

You’ve said that the Government hasn’t fought religious fundamentalism with enough zeal - why haven’t they?

I’m asking the same question because the resources are there. If they had done enough, we wouldn’t have been having these serial attacks every day that are progressively getting worse and worse. So there must be a problem and I don’t know what the problem is. Like I told you, I’m a priest, my job is to preach, to pray and to encourage people. As for the military, security and other technical issues, I have no answer. I look up to Government and they are campaigning now to become president and governors - they should have those solutions. When you aspire to lead a nation, you should have the solutions to the problems of the nation and we look up to them, so that they find authentic solutions that will bring these problems and crisis to an end.

Christian Radio Station Director Gets 25-year Prison Sentence in Rwanda

Ifex || By Reporters Without Borders || 10 March 2015

Reporters Without Borders is appalled to learn that a Kigali court has sentenced religious radio station director Cassien Ntamuhanga to 25 years in prison for allegedly conspiring against the government.

Cassien Ntamuhanga, who ran Amazing Grace radio, was convicted on 27 February of forming a criminal gang, conspiracy against the established government or president, complicity in a terrorist act and conspiracy to murder. He pleaded not guilty on all charges when the trial began last November. His lawyer said he will appeal.

“We are outraged by the Kigali court's decision to sentence the journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga to 25 years in prison,” Reporters Without Borders deputy programme director Virginie Dangles said.

“This harsh and disproportionate sentence reflects the authoritarian nature of President Kagame's government and its growing desire to gag all dissent in the run-up to the 2017 presidential elections, when Kagame could be tempted to run for another term although the constitution currently forbids this. We call for this verdict to be overturned on appeal.”

The prosecution requested a life sentence for Ntamuhanga and his three co-defendants. One of them, the very popular singer Kizito Mihigo, got a ten-year jail term after pleading guilty. Demobilized soldier Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi got 30 years. The third co-defendant, Agnès Niyibizi, was acquitted on a charge of acting as treasurer of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition party in exile that the government regards as a “terrorist” organization.

All four were arrested in April 2014, at a time when Rwanda was commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1994 genocide and many people were criticizing a growing government crackdown.

Colleagues say Ntamuhanga never had any problems until he was reported missing on 7 April 2014. The police finally confirmed a week later that he was in their custody without saying where he was arrested, leading the Rwanda Media Commission to suggest that he was held illegally from 7 to 14 April.

During his trial, Ntamuhanga accused the police of detaining him illegally and extracting a confession under duress.

Rwanda is ranked 161st out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

Catholic Bishops in Malawi Launch $2.2m National Flood Response

Episcopal Conference of Malawi || By ECM Communications || 12 March 2015

The Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) on Tuesday (10th March) launched a national wide flood response worth 1 Billion Malawi Kwacha (about US$2.2 million) at a function held at January Parish, in the areas of Sub Traditional Chimaliro and Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo district.

Launching the response were some Catholic Bishops in Malawi’s eight dioceses who included His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi and Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese, Their Lordships Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga diocese, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa diocese and Bishop Montfort Sitima of Mangochi diocese Zomba, Mzuzu, Zomba and Lilongwe dioceses were also represented by their diocesan administrators and vicar generals.

Speaking at the function, His Grace Archbishop Msusa the Catholic Church in Malawi and worldwide has been alarmed and grieved that thousands of people have been displaced and rendered homeless, houses and crops destroyed and many more injured.

“In response to the flood disaster, the Bishop’s Conference in Malawi set aside the 8th February, 2015 as a special Sunday for the collections of relief items to support thousands of our brothers and sisters affected by the floods. Further to this, we dedicated all the collections for the AMECEA thanksgiving Mass on 31st January 2015 towards the support of the flood victims,” said Bishop Msusa.

Archbishop Msusa said the Malawi Conference is pleased with the generosity shown by the faithful in Malawi for contributing about 240 metric tons of assorted items that includes clothes, shoes, blankets, maize, beddings and non-perishable snacks like Kamba puffs, kitchen utensils, and beans among others.

“We commend the oneness and unity in joy and tribulation, which the Catholic Church in Malawi has shown, and we continue to ask well-wishers to keep contributing towards this noble cause. The demand for relief items in the affected 15 districts is still huge,” he said.

Taking his turn, acting Secretary General for ECM, Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo thanked also the Universal Church for hearing the appeal for assistance towards the flood disaster.
He said, “Our brothers and sisters across the world, through the Caritas Internationalis mobilized resources for the flood response in Malawi”.

Fr. Chimombo also challenged Catholic faithful in leadership positions to live to their Christian values by advocating for pro-poor and resilient building policies so that events like the disasters do not always catch Malawians off guard.

Both Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa and a Gift Mafuleka from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) commended the Catholic Church in Malawi for responding to the call by Professor Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi to support the flood affected households.

President Mutharika declared a state of national disaster to 15 districts in Malawi which includes Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Thyolo, Mangochi and Ntcheu among others.

Adding her voice in thanking the Catholic Church, Emma Kaleso who lost her husband when a house felt at him said she was grateful to the Bishops who even took their time off to visit them in their evacuation camps and the support rendered to them.

Before the official launch, all the Bishops paid a solidarity visit to Goliati Mitabali evacuation camps where at least fourteen households are being accommodated.
Over 106 people have been reported dead and hundred others still missing with no hope of being found alive.

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) which is the relief and development arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi is coordinating distribution of relief items in all the dioceses.

Cardinal Sarah On Liturgical Wars, Criticism of the Pope, Same Sex Marriage and Islam

Aleteia || By Elisabeth De Baudouin || 09 March 2015

In this exclusive interview, Cardinal Robert Sarah, the new prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, candidly discusses liturgical battles, criticism of the Pope, same sex marriage, Islam and Islamism, and how Africa can save the West.

Visiting Paris for a few days to launch his book God or Nothing, written in collaboration with author Nicolas Diat, Cardinal Sarah sat down with Élisabeth de Baudoüin of Aleteia to answer these questions:

Your Eminence, in your book God or Nothing, you mention several times the "liturgical war" that has been dividing Catholics for decades. You say that this war is particularly unfortunate because Catholics should be especially united on this issue. How can we get beyond these divisions and unite all Catholics in worshiping God? 

Cardinal Robert Sarah: Vatican II never asked us to reject the past and abandon the Mass of St. Pius V, which spawned many saints, nor discard Latin. But at the same time we must promote the liturgical reform sought by the Council itself. The liturgy is the special place where we meet God face-to-face, bring Him our whole life, our work, and make an offering of all this to his glory. We cannot celebrate the liturgy while taking up arms: carrying on our shoulders weapons of hate, combat, resentment. Jesus Himself said, "Before presenting your offering, first be reconciled to your brother." In this "face-to-face" with God, our heart must be pure, free of all hatred, all rancor. Each person must remove from his heart anything that might cast a shadow on this meeting. This involves respecting everyone’s sensitivity. 

Is this not precisely what Benedict XVI wanted? 

Cardinal Sarah: Yes, this is the meaning of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum (July 2007, ed.) Benedict XVI put a lot of energy and hope into this work. Alas, he was not totally successful because people "clung" to their specific rite and mutually excluded each other. In the Church, everyone should be able to celebrate according to his or her own sensitivity. It is one of the conditions of reconciliation. Attention should also be paid to the beauty of the liturgy, its sacredness. The Eucharist is not a "dinner with friends", it is a sacred mystery. If it is celebrated with fervor and beauty, an understanding will certainly be reached. However, we must not forget that it is God who reconciles, and this will take time. 

In a chapter on the Popes, you mention the criticism that they were subjected to, even within the Church. Francis is no exception: some Catholics criticize his style, what he does, what he says, his expressions ... There is a feeling that one wing of the Church does not trust him to keep the deposit of faith. What should the faithful’s attitude be in regard to the Pope? Can a Catholic criticize the successor of Peter? 

Cardinal Sarah: The answer is very simple, it is found here: what should one think of a son or daughter who criticizes his father or his mother publicly? How could people have respect for him? The Pope is our father. We owe him respect, affection and trust (even if criticism does not seem to bother him). Reading certain documents or statements, one might get the impression that he does not respect the doctrine. Personally, I fully trust him and I encourage all Christians to do the same. You have to be serene and calm as he sails the boat. Jesus is with him, He who said to Peter: "I have prayed for you, that your faith may … strengthen your brothers.” A conclave is an action of God, it is God who gives a Pope to the Church. God gave us Francis to lead the Church today.

What should we say to those who claim that he was not the "choice of the Holy Spirit"? 

Cardinal Sarah: I ask them this question: are they in direct contact with the Holy Spirit? 

About the "powers in Europe who seek to prevent Catholics from exercising their freedom," you write, "The Manif pour tous* is an example of initiatives that are necessary. It was a manifestation of the genius of Christianity." Your Eminence, do you support the Christians who took to the streets by thousands to demonstrate their commitment to the family and the fact that every child needs a father and a mother? 

*Editor's Note: the "Manif pour tous" is a French national collective which has hosted peaceful demonstrations to oppose the “Marriage for all” bill.

Cardinal Sarah: Our mission as Christians is to witness to our faith. We know that the family is a reality desired by God. We know what it means for the Church and society; without it, there is no future, neither for the one nor the other. So the Manif pour tous is a way for Christians who defend this reality to witness their faith. I do not hesitate to affirm: I fully support this event in its various forms. They are an expression of fidelity to the Church and to the faith. 

However, at first glance, it has failed! 

Cardinal Sarah: Christ also apparently failed: after three years of public life, he was killed, laid in the tomb and the tomb was sealed! But he is risen and has conquered evil. The Manif pour tous, in its various expressions, could not prevent political decisions. But it achieved a great victory: it managed to reinvigorate families. This is its big win. Because of this, it must continue. This is not a one-time action. We must continue to write, to go out, and demonstrate! And we should also encourage solid homes that ensure that love endures and does not die. 

What do you mean? 

Cardinal Sarah: Love is like a flower in the desert, we must water it and guard it to prevent the animals from eating it. How do we protect love? With daily attention. How do we water it? With forgiveness. We must also take care of this plant, through prayer, attachment and dialogue. Without this, the plant, love, dies. A plant cannot survive if it is not sustained. However, the great gardener is God. If a family rejects Him, it does not last. Demonstrating, that's good. But we must take care of our families. We must ensure that love, that precious gift, is kept alive in the heart of spouses and lived in the family. 

In Europe, the spread of Islam and its radicalization cause concern. You who come from a predominantly Muslim country where Christians and Muslims live in peace, and speak of Islam as "a religion of peace and brotherhood," what are your feelings on this? 

Cardinal Sarah: Where does our fear come from? Islam has been present in Europe for a long time and no one has ever been afraid of it. It is true that there were fewer Muslims. But at the time, faith was stronger. Also, the sense of threat did not exist or only marginally. In Guinea, the population is 5% Catholic and 73% Muslim. But we are not afraid of each other. Instead, we stimulate each other through fidelity to our faith. Seeing the Muslims, for whom the importance of prayer and direct communication with God is essential, Christians must ask themselves: I believe in the true God, manifested through Christ: am I as fervent as the Muslims are? Do I fast? God is not someone with whom you are in contact occasionally, when you have time. He must be the first: in the family, in society ... All Christians are called to increase their relationship with Him. Prayer is also necessary, on both sides, for everyone to live in peace.

In this regard, you often tell a Muslim legend...

Cardinal Sarah: Yes, it's the story about a shepherdess who was considered a little crazy, her sheep peacefully coexisted with the wolves. When asked for an explanation, she replied: "I improved my relationship with God, and God has improved the relationship between the wolves and my sheep." God gives peace among men, through prayer.
 
This is a far cry from the violent behavior of radical Islam! How do you explain that?

Cardinal Sarah: The cartoons that target Islam (among others) do not promote brotherly coexistence. As the Pope said, we should not insult other people’s faith. We do not have the right, just because we do not share someone’s faith, to insult it and caricaturize it. This must stop! But true Muslims have never murdered anyone. Those who behead, crucify or slaughter in the name of God are projecting all their violence on an idea they have made of God. In my country, Muslims are horrified by these crimes and these beings who are men in name only.
 
In dealing with Islam, do you think that the West is playing with fire?

Cardinal Sarah: As Benedict XVI, who was worried about this, pointed out, God has never been as strongly rejected as today. If the West does not return to its Christian culture and values, the situation could become life threatening. But I think a time will come when Westerners will realize that they cannot continue to live without God. In this context, Africa can help.
 
In your book, you talk a lot about Africa, its sufferings, the ideological colonialism of which it is the object, but also its values. In your opinion, what can Africa bring to the world and the Church today?

Cardinal Sarah: God has always involved Africa in his plan for salvation. Africa saved Jesus, at the time of the flight into Egypt. It is an African, Simon of Cyrene, who helped him carry his cross. Africa has suffered a lot. Its values were denied (and still are, through what Francis calls ideological colonialism, and in particular regarding the gender theory). It experienced slavery. The Africans’ suffering prompted John Paul II [who also announced that it would surprise the world, ed.] to say that their names are written “on the palms of Christ, pierced by the nails of the Crucifixion”.  But in a few decades, the Church there has greatly developed, with many priestly and religious vocations, so that blessed Paul VI called it "the new homeland of Christ." And as Africans are also deeply religious and cannot be separated from God, they are the ones who will restore God to the world.
 
Perhaps Africa will give the next Pope to the Church?

Cardinal Sarah: (laughs) What a question! (Then, after reflection) It is God who gives the Pope ...
 
And Nicolas Diat, co-author of God or nothing and present at this meeting, added: "Ask the Lord! And if you get an answer, give it to me! "

Interviewed for Aleteia by Élisabeth de Baudoüin. Translated from Aleteia French Edition.

Catholic Institute in Ghana to Launch a Technology Campus

CANAA || By Damian Avevor, Ghana || 09 March 2015

The Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT) based Accra, Ghana, is preparing to set up a Technology Campus at Mepe in the Volta Region, to run programmes initially in Nursing and Allied Health Science and to progressively add other faculties such as Engineering, Pharmacy and Agriculture.

This was announced by the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, Mr. S.N. Woode, at the second Congregation of CIBT at the School premises.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Woode said the School was committed to delivering technology education revealing that in the quest to train Students in skills and expertise needed in building the economy of the country, the Institute has collaborated with the Kwame University of Science and Technology to introduce two new undergraduate programmes in Information Technology and Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

“At the Post Graduate level, our partnership with ALTIS, the Faculty of Economics of the Catholic University of Milan, Italy, has yielding to an MBA in Global Business and Sustainability with specialization in Social Enterprise,” Woode further said.

According to Mr. Woode, the Institute had entered into discussions with Mount Saint Vincent University in Canada, Berconi in Italy and Mount Saint Joseph University in the USA for the exchange of students and Faculty and the rolling out of a specialized Masters’ Programmes in MBA.

The Vice President of Ghana, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to quality education in the country saying, “we appreciate the role of the Founders and the contributions they make in delivering tertiary education to students who would have been denied the opportunity due to lack of space in our public Universities”.

He noted that University education was crucial in the life of a nation, urging Universities and Institutions of higher learning to be innovative in their programmes and teach students relevant skills needed for entrepreneurship to address the menace of unemployment in the country.

The Vice President further advised graduands to apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired to innovatively solve the problems facing the country and to promote high moral values wherever they might find themselves.

The Chancellor of the Institute, Archbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, who constituted and dissolved the Congregation, stressed the Church’s commitment to promoting integral human development, including academic excellence and all fields of human endeavour.

The Archbishop encouraged the Institute to remain faithful to Catholic education, which seeks to train the children of God to work in service to humanity and in honour of God.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, in an address read on his behalf, urged the Institute to improve the quality of its programmes and improve teaching and learning for both students and Faculty.

He also advised CIBT as a Catholic institution to promote quality research to enhance its visibility and relevance in the country, saying that the lack of research was a contributing factor to the slow pace of development in Africa.

CIBT, which started as a satellite campus of the Catholic University of Fiapre, is autonomous after it was accredited in 2008.

About 128 students have graduated with BSc. Computer science, BSc. Public Administration, BSc. Business Administration and MBA Global Business and Sustainability with specialization in Social Entrepreneurship.

The Bachelor’s Degree is from the University of Ghana to which the Institute is affiliated and the MBA is from the Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Milan, Italy.

Catholic Bishops of Burundi Oppose President's Third Term Bid

Vatican Radio || 09 March 2015

The Catholic Bishops of Burundi have said that the incumbent president should not stand for a third term in this year’s June elections.

Speaking on Saturday Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bujumbura said in a statement that, "We call upon politicians in power not to speculate or misinterpret the constitution. All the constitution provisions about the President's terms are very clear: no President can lead the country more than two terms of five years each,"

Burundi is caught in a dispute on whether President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, should be allowed to run for another term given that the former rebel leader was selected by lawmakers rather than voted into office in 2005 for his first term.

Under the constitution, he is allowed to serve only two terms but his supporters argue his first term should not count. President Nkurunziza himself has not yet said that he will run, although his supporters affirm he can.

"The peace deal signed by all political stakeholders in 2000 is also clear; it states that from now no President will rule for more than two terms," added Archbishop Ngoyagoye in the message issued by the country’s episcopal conference.

Catholics in Burundi represent about 70% of the total population. The Archbishop’s comments mark the first time the Catholic Church has taken a position officially on the debate about a third term for President Nkurunziza. The Church played a key role in peace talks in Burundi.

Archbishop Ngoyagoye said the Catholic Church will soon organise a novena across the country to pray for a peaceful handover between the current President and his successor.

Burundi's presidential office was not immediately available for comment.

Civil society organisations have already warned that they will call for street protests if President Nkurunziza, a Hutu, announces his candidacy for a third term.

The UN Security council will soon visit this landlocked country.  During the visit, its 15-member delegation will discuss with Burundi’s leaders how to organise a peaceful and transparent election this year.

(Source Polity (SA)/Reuters)

“Know the smell of your sheep,” New Bishop in Kenya Told at Ordination

CANAA || By Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 09 March 2015

The newly ordained bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, has been encouraged to “know the smell of (his) sheep” as he begins his new ministry as the second Bishop of the diocese in Western Kenya.

The advice came from Bishop Emeritus of Kakamega Diocese Philip Sulumeti, while presiding over the ordination of his successor in a colourful and well-animated ceremony at Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday.

“The shepherd must know the smell of his sheep,” Bishop Emeritus told his successor and added, “A bishop should strive to serve, rather than to rule, because being bishop is not a title of honour but rather a function.”

Bishop Sulumeti’s words echo those of Pope Francis who, since his election in March 2013, has insisted on having Church leaders who live with, love, care, and show concern for the people they serve, memorably describing them as “shepherds who have the smell of their sheep.”

Bishop Emeritus encouraged his successor, a native of Kissi ethnic group, to learn Luhya, the language of the natives of Kakamega diocese whose territory covers Kakamega and Vihiga Counties, explaining that the knowledge of language of the inhabitants of his diocese would facilitate his knowing “the smell of the sheep” he will be shepherding.

The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto, who represented the President of Kenya at the Saturday event, also encouraged the new Bishop to learn Luhya language in order “to journey well with the people” under his pastoral care.

The Deputy President confirmed the government’s commitment to dialoguing with Church leaders in Kenya “for the good of all the citizens”, describing Catholic Church leaders as key stakeholders in the education and health sectors.

The Deputy President was responding to John Cardinal Njue’s plea to the government to foster dialogue with the Church in Kenya on matters affecting ordinary citizens in the country.

Catholic Bishops in Kenya have been opposed to the nationwide Tetanus Vaccination Campaign targeting 2.3 million Kenyan women and girls of reproductive age between 15-49 years, terming the campaign a secret government plan to sterilize women and control population growth.

The representative of the Pope in Kenya (and South Sudan), Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo thanked Bishop Emeritus Sulumeti for his 43 years of service as Bishop, Bishop Obanyi for his generosity in accepting the “unexpected” appointment as Bishop of Kakamega, and Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa for accepting to “lose” a worthy helper from Kissi diocese to Kakamega.

Until his appointment as Bishop of Kakamega by Pope Francis on December 5, 2014, Bishop Obanyi who marks his 48^th birthday on Tuesday, was Vicar General of Kissi diocese.

Addressing the thousands who gathered to witness his episcopal ordination, Bishop Obanyi prayed for a spirit of collaborative from the clergy and the religious in Kakamega diocese and urged the laity to unite with him as their “humble shepherd” in order to grow in faith.

“What you have done may take a long time to forget,” Bishop Obanyi told his predecessor, thanking him for his leadership and wishing him all the best in his retirement.

Kakamega diocese was established in 1978, with Bishop Emeritus Sulumeti as its first bishop.

According to the booklet prepared for the Saturday liturgy, the diocese has a total population of 790,588 Catholics, 107 diocesan priests, 3 deacons, 450 religious men and women, and 47 major seminarians.

The diocese has 40 parishes, one pastoral centre, one Catechetical College, one Minor Seminary, 280 Nursery Schools, 256 Catholic-Sponsored Schools, 134 Catholic-Sponsored Secondary Schools, one Teachers’ Training College, 15 Polytechnics, 18 Primary Schools for physically and mentally challenged children, one Vocational Secondary School for deaf girls, two orphanages, two hospitals, 12 Health Units, one School of nursing, and one school of Clinical Medicine.

The motto of the new bishop is from Psalm 116:13, Calicem salutaris accipiam (I will raise the cup of salvation).

Gabon's Bishops Decry Growing Insecurity and Pray for Peace

Vatican Radio || 05 March 2015

The Bishops of Gabon have called on citizens of that country to embrace peace. In a message delivered during a Mass for peace, early this week attended by that country’s President, Ali Bongo Ondimba together with several Government officials, the Bishops say they are worried by the deteriorating and acrimonious environment in the country.

The Bishops referred to concerns that they have highlighted in the past which they say deprive the nation of the much needed peace. These concerns include what they have termed as ritual crimes that are on the increase. In Gabon, ritual crimes are a major source of concern for the Church and society. Ritual crimes consist of practices committed because of belief in witchcraft. Victims of ritual crimes, usually young people or children, are murdered in order to “harvest” their blood or some body organs. It is suspected that these organs are used in "magic" rituals  with the hope of gaining economic benefits for the perpetrators.

Other concerns of the Gabonese Bishops which led them to organise the national Mass for peace include the disquieting belief in fetishism; growing violence in the country; repeated worker-employee conflicts leading to industrial strikes; the rise of corruption; poverty and destitution. In such an environment, the Bishops say, peace cannot prevail. It was for this reason the Bishops were praying for peace in the country.

Speaking at the Mass, Archbishop Basile Mvé Engone the Archbishop of Libreville said, “When we gather here, our differences will not disappear overnight. However by gathering in faith, we demonstrate our mutual respect for each other and our yearning for peace,” he said.

Archbishop Mvé Engone further told the congregation that all Gabonese must learn to welcome each other with respect, acknowledging that the other is a richness, a companion, a brother, a sister, a friend and not an enemy. "Accept the other with his or her ideas and beliefs. This is the starting point for dialogue," the Archbishop continued.

"We are all in any way responsible for each other and for that we will be answerable to God and to future generations,” the Archbishop said.

At the end of the celebration, a message from the Bishops of Gabon on peace was presented to the head of State, Ali Bongo Ondimba, by Bishop Mathieu Madéga, Bishop of the Diocese of Mouila and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Port-Gentil. Bishop Madéga is the President of the Episcopal Conference of Gabon.

Why Is Boko Haram Succeeding?

Commonweal || Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator || 03 March 2015

Officially, the terrorist group currently conducting a violent insurgency in northeastern Nigeria goes by the title “the Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of Islam and for the Jihad.” But the group is much better known by its unofficial name, “Boko Haram,” which, translated literally, means “Western education is an abomination.”

The group was founded in 2002 as a largely peaceful, albeit radical, religious community in Borno, one of Nigeria’s thirty-six states. Its rapidly growing political influence, aggressive recruitment, and financial resources soon caught the attention of Nigerian security operatives. A brutal attempt to disband the group led to the death in custody of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf. The scattered remnants then regrouped under a maniac named Abubakar Shekau, and launched a full-fledged military campaign to suppress religious, social, and political activities they considered contrary to the tenets of Islam and to impose a strict Islamic penal code known as sharia. True to its unofficial title, the group routinely targeted schools and occasionally lobbed grenades into churches.

Over the past six years Boko Haram has developed into a fearsome militia that inflicts terror on innocent citizens in rural northeastern Nigeria, bordering Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. With its trademark blend of sadistic violence and jihadist ideology, the group has become strong enough to rout whole units of the Nigerian military, sending soldiers scurrying for cover in the forest. As a result, it has made considerable territorial gains. Boko Haram’s most recent act of brutality was the destruction of close to four thousand homes [2] and the displacement of twenty thousand residents of Baga and Doron Baga towns in Borno State. Typically, Nigerian government officials dispute the casualty figures, but Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and media sources say as many as two thousand people may have died.

Boko Haram shot to international notoriety in April 2014 when militants abducted 276 teenage schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in Borno State. That brazen act of terror shocked the world and sparked an international social-media campaign [3] (#BringBackOurGirls [4]) to press for the release of the kidnapped students. The scope and intensity of this global protest raised expectations: Boko Haram, it seemed, had bitten off more than it could chew, and it was only a matter of time before the Nigerian military decisively snuffed out this insurgency. Almost a year later, most of the Chibok schoolgirls are still missing [5], while media interest in the story has fizzled. Although one or two campaign groups continue to clamor for the girls’ release, Nigerian politicians have turned their gaze toward other matters—and above all to the next election.

The international media often characterize Boko Haram as an Islamic and sectarian insurgency, but beneath the thin veneer of religious ideology lies a savage and opportunistic agenda of criminality, bigotry, and wanton destruction. Conspiracy theories abound about the group’s “true” origins and intent. Some claim that Boko Haram is the creation of northern Muslim politicians hell-bent on destabilizing the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south. But facts on the ground undercut such claims. Notably, Boko Haram’s zone of operation is in the predominantly Muslim north, and most of the thousands of people the group has killed have been Muslims. It has targeted mosques and high-profile Islamic leaders, attacked dozens of towns and scores of villages, and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property—all in largely Muslim areas. Boko Haram’s brand of violence knows no bounds: ordinary citizens, government employees, and elected public officials fear for their lives, irrespective of their religious affiliation. Mere mention of the group’s name strikes fear in civilian populations and triggers panic.

But civilians are also distrustful of Nigeria’s military, which has repeatedly failed to protect them from Boko Haram. In response to the insurgency, the government set up a Joint Task Force (JTF) that was to combine the best of the military and the police to combat Boko Haram. In northeastern Nigeria, JTF is as dreaded as Boko Haram. JTF has been accused of committing gross human-rights violations, including summary execution of suspected militants and their presumed sympathizers.

Boko Haram ups its ante with every victory it scores against the military. Emboldened by its success, the group continues to grow in its capacity to conduct raids and raze entire towns and villages to the ground. It has staged devastating suicide bombings in schools, churches, mosques, bars, parks, and outdoor markets. Nowadays its deadly arsenal includes children as young as ten, vested with remote-controlled bombs. At least a million innocent civilians have been displaced within northeastern Nigeria. Others have fled to southern Nigeria or across the border into neighboring Chad, Niger, or Cameroon.

The recent decision of Nigeria’s electoral commission to postpone presidential and parliamentary elections—originally scheduled for February 14 and now for March 28 [6]—counts as a major coup by Boko Haram. By way of explanation, the commission noted that the troops needed to protect voters at the polls are currently deployed to fight Boko Haram. But it would be sheer hubris to think that the military will quash Boko Haram in six weeks.

The longevity and gradual intensification of the Boko Haram insurgency expose two critical elements of Nigeria’s present malaise: systemic corruption and a failure of leadership.

Nigeria boasts the largest military in West Africa and the largest economy on the continent. Until recently, the country’s military enjoyed a good reputation because of its success in facing down powerful rebels and militias in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Curiously, what the military achieved outside the country’s borders, it now struggles to repeat in northeastern Nigeria. This isn’t for lack of financial resources. Nigeria spends much more on defense and security than on education and agriculture combined. Boko Haram has provided a convenient excuse for gargantuan budgetary allocations for “war against terrorism.” Yet we continue to hear about soldiers deserting the battlefront because they are poorly equipped, poorly paid, and prove no match for the superior firepower of Boko Haram. Demoralized soldiers have opted to face court martial for mutiny and insubordination rather than risk their lives fighting the jihadists. If the huge military budget isn’t giving them the resources they need to do their jobs adequately, where is it all going? It seems that Boko Haram has become a pretext for funneling millions of dollars into the pockets of corrupt politicians and military commanders.

AS FOR LEADERSHIP, the government’s stirring rhetoric about its resolve to crush Boko Haram amounts to no more than hollow propaganda. The more vigorously officials promise to catch and punish the insurgents, the more atrocities Boko Haram appears to carry out with impunity. There is no simple solution to the problem, but effective political leadership is surely a necessary part of the solution. So far, Nigeria’s leaders have proved to be totally inept in dealing with Boko Haram—treating the insurgency as if it were just a law-and-order issue, deflecting blame whenever possible, or, worse, simply wishing the problem away. One thing is clear: Boko Haram is not an isolated crisis. It competes in the deadly transnational league of terrorist outfits such as the Islamic State, the Taliban, Al Shabab, and Al Qaeda. The scale and scope of its operation now surpass the capabilities of the Nigerian government. It has taken far too long for President Jonathan and his advisers to figure this out, though in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal Jonathan appealed to the United States [7] to send combat troops to help in the fight against Boko Haram. But the U.S. State Department has so far denied receiving any request for troops. The United States has signaled that it might be willing to participate with African nations in a task force designed to address the insurgency, but recent efforts by the U.S. government to help Nigeria deal with the problem have been hindered by disputes over equipment and lingering accusations that the Nigerian military is itself guilty of human-rights violations.

To their credit, Christian leaders, such as Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the central Nigerian Diocese of Jos, cry themselves hoarse denouncing Boko Haram’s atrocities. They have led their flock in special novenas and have excoriated Western governments for neglecting the crisis [8]. There isn’t much else they can do.

If better political leadership emerges from the postponed presidential election, the effort to combat Boko Haram will need to move on several fronts at once. First, in order to make jihadism less attractive to millions of impoverished, disillusioned, and unemployed youth in the poorer north, the government will need to undertake comprehensive economic reforms, as well as an overhaul of the country’s kleptocratic political system. It will also need to restructure the military and equip it properly so that it will be capable of executing complex counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism operations. And it will need to counter Boko Haram’s jihadist rhetoric with a convincing message to vulnerable Muslims in the north, reminding them that Boko Haram is a perversion of Islam, and reassuring them that they will be protected. There should also be more forums for cooperation between the leaders and adherents of various religious traditions. Finally, there needs to be greater regional and international cooperation, since defeating Boko Haram will likely require cross-border military campaigns.

Boko Haram is responsible for Nigeria’s worst crisis since the 1967 civil war. Its insurgents continue to march on towns and villages unopposed and to threaten important regional capitals. In pursuit of its goal to create some kind of trans-border Islamic state, it has demonstrated its willingness to commit crimes against humanity. Millions of traumatized Nigerians now live under the shadow of its ominous black flag, frightened by the gradual collapse of the state. Although the Nigerian government has until now been reluctant to admit it, Africa’s most populous country desperately needs help from the rest of the world to end this scourge.

Archbishop of Tunis Lauds Inter-Religious Dialogue as Basis of Peace

Vatican Radio || By Linda Bordoni || 03 March 2015

During a moving audience this week with North African bishops who are in the Vatican for their Ad Limina visit, Pope Francis thanked them and their ecclesial communities for their courage and for their peaceful presence in a region that is receiving threats by the so-called Islamic State.

Amongst those present is the Archbishop of Tunis, Ilario Antoniazzi.

He told Vatican Radio of the fundamental importance of inter-religious dialogue in his part of the world.

Speaking shortly after being received by Pope Francis who encouraged those present to build on their tradition of inter-religious dialogue, Archbishop Ilario Antoniazzi said that especially dialogue with Islam is at the very basis of peaceful coexistence in North African communities:

Commenting on the Pope’s discourse in which he urged the prelates to provide ecumenical and inter religious training to all religious and consecrated people in their dioceses in order to “build where many destroy”, the Archbishop of Tunis explains that the Christians of his diocese live side by side and in peace with Muslim communities who are grateful for the work the Church carries out through Caritas, through schools and other social infrastructures…

Antoniazzi points out that he and his prelates are often involved both as guests and as promoters of Christian-Muslim events. “It is important – he says – to get to know and to make ourselves known. Most Muslims he says are wonderful people who want peace and want to collaborate with us. “The worst way to establish a relationship – he says – is with fear”.

Catholic Bishops in Ghana Defend Catholic Identity in Church-run Institutions

CANAA || By Damian Avevor, Ghana || 05 March 2015

The Catholic Bishops in Ghana have reacted to calls for unregulated religious practices in Mission schools, especially the unwarranted threats of sanctions coming from Government circles.

The reaction was expressed in a Press Statement signed by the President of Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu.

The Tuesday, March 3 statement called on Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be cowed down by any form of intimidation or threat of sanction from any individuals.

Ghana President John Mahama has warned heads of schools against the practice of imposing religious practices on students of other religious faiths and threatened punishment.

The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) has expressed concerns about not allowing Muslim children in Christian mission schools to openly practice their religion, arguing that the practice did not only denies the Muslim students full practice of their faith but also violates their constitutional right as citizens of Ghana.

The Bishops assured all Heads of Catholic Educational Institutions in Ghana to remain resolute and not feel unduly intimidated by threat of sanctions and urged the Catholic School Heads to continue managing schools in ways and practices that are in conformity with the Catholic identity and mission.

The Bishops expressed openness to dialogue and the building of a consensus in view of resolving “these issues amicably” saying, “We join the Christian Council of Ghana in advocating dialogue on the issue at stake. We believe that the Ghana Peace Council has the capacity to deal with this issue in broad consultation with all stakeholders, especially, religious leaders who own and manage the mission schools.”

“Until this is done,” the Bishops clarified, “we wish to call on government and all other persons to refrain from issuing statements or making pronouncements which may not help in finding a peaceful solution to this issue. Dialogue is the key for in reasoning with others through dialogue, we obtain justice and peace.”

Service Centers for More than 500 Needy Children Initiated in Benin

Agenzia Fides || 27 February 2015

There are many children who live in a state of poverty in Benin.

To address this phenomenon, there are various initiatives.

Among these is an ongoing project of the Spanish NGO Educo together with the local organization Foyer Don Bosco, to help more than 500 children from various cities of the southern African Country, Ouémé, Plateau and Littoral.

Twice a week, educators go around the markets in search of children who live on the streets, to ensure their safety and provide assistance in the "shacks" that the organization has in these villages.

These shacks are a kind of makeshift classrooms, where educators and experts assist children in recreational, cultural and sports activities, as well as providing basic education, especially literacy.

Educators also try to meet the children’s parents to determine, through social studies, their condition and evaluate whether there is a chance for them to return to their families or at school.

Pope Acknowledges “peaceful presence” of the Church in North Africa

Vatican Radio || By Linda Bordoni || 02 March 2015

Pope Francis has thanked the Church in Libya and the ecclesial communities in North Africa for their courage and for being a peaceful presence in an area where freedom of conscience is under threat.

The Pope was addressing members of the Episcopal Conference of North African Bishops, CERNA,   who are in the Vatican for their Ad Limina visit.

CERNA gathers prelates from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

“You are one of the peripheries” of the world – he said - and you are the face and the heart with which God reaches out to the people of this periphery.

The courage of Catholics in Libya

Noting  that in the past years North Africa has become a land of conquest for more freedom of conscience and dignity as well as a battleground for those who impose change with weapons, the Pope thanked the Church in Libya for the “courage, loyalty and perseverance” shown by clergy, consecrated persons and laypeople who have stood their ground in the face of danger. They are true witnesses of the Gospel, said Francis, thanking them and encouraging them to continue in their efforts to contribute to peace and reconciliation throughout the region.

The need to accept diversity 

In his discourse the Pope insisted on the necessity of inter religious dialogue “in order to build where many destroy”.

Charity – he says – is able to open up countless paths that take the breath of the Gospel into diverse cultures and social contexts. And he said that the most effective antidote to violence is getting to know differences and accepting them as wealth and fecundity. 
      
Thus, Pope Francis told the bishops, that it is essential that the religious in their dioceses be trained in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue.

Charity reveals God

Pope Francis said that an infallible weapon in the hands of the “Church of encounter” is charity that must be offered to all without distinction. Thanking the North African bishops who, often with humble means, offer the love of Christ and of the Church to the poor, to the sick, to the elderly, to prison inmates and to the many African immigrants who find themselves in North African countries during their journeys of hope. In doing so he said: “you recognize their human dignity and work to raise awareness of such a huge human drama, you show the love that God has for each of them”. 

Look to the Saints

The Pope’s discourse also included many pastoral indications such as the need for attention for “permanent formation” of the clergy and spoke of his joy for the contribution offered by religious men and women in this Year of Consecrated Life. 

Inviting all consecrated people to make the beauty of their vocations “shine out”, the Pope pointed to Saints Cyprian and Augustin and to the Blessed Charles de Foucault as models to look up to. 

And pointing to those contemporary religious who sacrificed their lives in the name of the faith, Pope Francis expressed his happiness that in the past few years many Christian sanctuaries have been restored in Algeria.

The Pope concluded his discourse pointing out that welcoming “all” with “benevolence and without proselytism”, these communities express their will “to be a Church with open doors, always setting out and going forth”.

During the audience the bishops presented the Pope with a document entitled “Servants of Hope” that shines light on the reality of the Church’s presence in North Africa, and motivates its priests to be ministers of hope in an ever-changing situation, where parishes are being rejuvenated by new presences and where the Churches face the great challenge of ministering to migrants.

Ethiopia’s Cardinal Receives a Grand Reception Home

AMECEA Online Newsletter || By Makeda Yohannes, Ethiopian Bishops Conference || 27 Feb. 2015

His Eminence Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel has received a Grand Reception in Addis Ababa following her installation as the new Cardinal in Rome. 

The celebrations began on February 21, 2015 upon his arrival at the Addis Ababa, Bole international airport where all the Bishops of the Conference including the Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia Archbishop Luigi Bianco and representatives of various religious leaders welcomed him at the VIP Red Salon.

State Minister of the Ministry of Federal Affairs H.E. Mr. Mulugeta Wuletaw, who was at the airport to receive the New Cardinal, said that the Cardinalate has great relevance for Ethiopia. “The elevation of H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M to the Cardinalate is very significant for the positive image building of our country. Our government recognizes this and we call on upon him and the Catholic Church in Ethiopia to continue with our positive collaboration” he said.

The Catholic faithful, priests, nuns, Geez Choir and youth choir were chanting and singing joyously waiting for him just outside the VIP Salon expressing their gratitude to God and to the Holy Father Pope Francis for the honor given to the Catholic Church in Ethiopia. Other faithful who turned up in big number were also waiting for the Cardinal near the Catholic Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The streets were filled up with people, eagerly waiting to greet the new Cardinal. The new Cardinal was accompanied to the Cathedral by all the Bishops, the Apostolic Nuncio, representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Protestant Churches and Secretary General of the Ethiopian Interreligious Council, clergy, religious and many faithful and invited guests.

The message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference was read by Rt. Rev. Bishop Tesfassilassie Medhin, of the Eparchy of Adigrat. Through the message all the Bishops expressed their readiness to collaborate with the Cardinal for the better ministry of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Her service to the people of God.

The celebration continued on the following day Sunday February 22, 2015 with a thanksgiving Mass and a luncheon buffet. Among the concelebrants were all the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia, Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia Most Rev Luigi Bianco, Vice Chairman of AMECEA, Most Rev. Thomas Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre, Malawi and Vice-Chancellor of Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA,) Msgr. Pius Rutechura.

The Holy Mass was also attended by Former FDRE President H.E. Dr. Girma Weldeghiorgis, State Minister of Industry H. E. Mr. Tadesse Haile, and African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma among others.

During the occasion the former President asked Cardinal to play his influence to bring closer the sisterly countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea so that brothers and sisters begin to reunite and to normalize relations for the good of the people of two countries.

The AU Commission Chairperson Dr. Zuma on her part stated that the elevation of Cardinal Berhaneyesus creates more opportunities to the continent. “He will be our direct link to the Holy See,” she said. Dr. Zuma also called on His Eminence to work on creating more opportunities for women in Africa so they can play part in improving the economy of the continent. She also expressed the AU-C’s desire to strengthen collaboration with the Church in many sectors such as conflict management, Justice and peace building.

The luncheon ceremony was attended by the FDRE Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom who expressed his appreciation to the Catholic Church’s role in the integral development of human person throughout the continent.

H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M on his part expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and love given to him by the government and all the peoples of Ethiopia. He said that the Catholic Church will continue her efforts in bringing about development and peace in the Continent. He also said that as Chairman of AMECEA and a Cardinal he will work devotedly to achieving integral human development in the Continent.

Church Observers Say Lesotho Election “well organised (and) peaceful,” Bishops Advocate for Peace and Stability

CANAA || Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 02 March 2015

Church Observers at the just concluded snap election in Lesotho have described the process as “well organized and peaceful” and confirmed that “there was no tension before or during the elections.”

There have been two teams of Church observers at the election, namely, the national team comprising of some 40 lay persons and clergy drawn from the local Church registered under the Justice and Peace Catholic Church (JPCC) in Lesotho and the international team of representatives from the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA).

The election is aimed at resolving political tensions after an attempted coup last year and some 1.2 million people were expected to part in the election as registered voters.

Speaking about Saturday, the day of the election, Bishop José Luis of Manzini diocese shared on his blog, “The first thing we noted was the relaxing mood in the people. We had read (more than heard) that there was "tension in Lesotho" but we never came across any.”

Members of the IMBISA team acknowledged with appreciation the cooperation accorded to them from the election officials saying, “In every place we were welcomed and provided with any information we would require. They would write down who we were, where we were coming from and explain that to everyone in the room.”

The team cited weather inconveniences outside Lesotho’s capital Maseru, saying, “We had heavy rains and wind for some time. This might have affected people who had to walk long distances to their polling station.”

“It was interesting to see that they came across just a few spoiled ballots, a sign that people are used to voting and clearly knew what they were supposed to do,” the IMBISA team shared their observation after stopping at a polling station to witness the counting of votes after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

According to Aljazeera, “The election commission said on Sunday that Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's All Basotho Convention party was ahead with wins in 35 out of 80 voting districts.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops of Lesotho issued a pastoral letter calling on various stakeholders to work towards peace and national stability by prioritizing the local inhabitants of Lesotho and ensuring the basic rights and freedoms.

Among those addressed by the Catholic Bishops include the political leaders, the Basotho, security agencies, members of the Fourth Estate (Media) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Lesotho.

Below is the full text of the message of the Catholic Bishops of Lesotho on the Saturday snap election.

LESOTHO CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE (LCBC)

MESSAGE REGARDING THE FORTHCOMING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN LESOTHO ON THE 28TH FEBRUARY, 2015

Peace with Peace

Our fellow Basotho!

We, the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Lesotho meeting at our 2015 Annual Episcopal Conference greet you all as Basotho as well as your various political leaders. May the peace of the Lord and Jesus Christ be with you (Baf. 1:2).

This is a critical period to all of us as the Basotho nation. All political leaders are in the same mood as they canvass to the people. Likewise, the nation is eager for change and an improved climate of service delivery. People are aspiring for efficiency and effectiveness in public services.

Our responsibility as spiritual leaders in the Catholic Church is to remind you that there are fundamental principles that unite us as Basotho both as one nation and as believers. Those principles and tenets that should be observed and respected are but not limited to:

a) Basotho and Lesotho first

b) Peace, security and stability for the country

c) Basic Human Rights

d) Freedom of religious affiliation and religious worship

e) Respect for the rule of law

f) Respect for the Constitution

g) Administration of Justice

h) Economic Justice

i) Opposition in Parliament

j) Good Governance (its knowledge??)

k) Financial Accountability

l) Transparency

m) Respect for institutions of Governance, namely A Family, the Monarchy, Chieftainship, Parliament, Government, Judiciary and so on...

It is our understanding that Democracy and democratic rule means the rule of the people by the people and for the good of the people. We should emphasize that “for the people implies for the benefit of the public, for the common interest and not for the sole benefit of the rulers.

For the people denotes generally for all the populace inclusive of the ordinary person as opposed to the minority or the selected few. It does not mean for solely the rulers or those in power. Democracy is a system that should benefit the people who have put the rulers in positions of authority and power.

This type of governance does not vary with our traditional believes, customs or practices. Democracy does not erode our identity. Our norms are instead rooted in democratic principles; and deepened more as we respect our culture and values as the followers of Jesus Christ.

As we are treading the path towards the National Assembly Elections. We have noted with disappointment that the already mentioned principles are being undermined by some political leaders and some sections of the security forces. Let us be mindful that “... the government that is unto war with itself stands to perish. If a nation fights itself, that nation is abyss and cannot stand” (MK 3: 24-26).

As we speak to you, we are immensely perturbed by incidences (skirmishes) of attacks among the security forces. This is not only unfortunate but indeed treacherous and betrayal when the armed forces of one and the same country fight each other. Be aware that you are security forces that belong to the same country; and not only that; but you have taken an oath of loyalty to one and the same Crown of His Majesty, as Basotho. Moreover, you are the children of God believing in Jesus Christ cf. (Bag.3:26).

Ever since the day for the polls was announced by His Majesty the King, we have observed how busy the Independent Electoral Commission has been in preparing for the planned snap Elections. We have noticed a number of political parties organizing their campaigns peacefully.

We have further seen church and civil society organizations providing educational and training programmes for the electorate. Moreover we should commend the presence in Lesotho, of the representatives of the international community that are observing these preparatory processes.

Subsequent to the announcement of the day for the General Elections, there have however been shocking incidences coupled with inciting utterances, coming from mainly the Media. All that can result into tensions and fearful electorate, but can also tarnish credibility of the Elections.

• We would like to remind Basotho that:
• Elections do not mean war and killings
• Elections do not mean conflicts
• Elections do not mean hatred
• Elections do not mean bearing grudge
• Elections are not a time to remind each other one’s weaknesses

Rather,

• Elections are a right to each and every Mosotho
• Elections are a responsibility of every Mosotho
• Elections offer an opportunity to elect people that will make decisions for us
• They give us the opportunity to send those who will serve us in Parliament
• They are a time to rethink who we would like to assign the duty of handling our
• It is also a chance to find a solution to conflicts and instability that our country is administrative issues experiencing

Let us remember that peace is attained through peaceful means. We appeal to different sides/groupings in the following manner:

To Political leaders

Please remember that Basotho and Lesotho are a priority and they come before everything else. Do remember that Elections are not for your benefit only, but for the good of all the Basotho. Please be mindful of the fact that Lesotho has already experienced serious challenges as a result of political instabilities; and it is about time you put aside your personal aspirations for the good of the nation.

To the Basotho Nation

Please be aware that it is the right and privilege of every Mosotho to choose a leadership of one’s own choice. In that respect, we appeal that during this election time, there be a spirit of tolerance and cooperation. We remind you fellow Basotho peoples that the future of Lesotho is in your hands.

To the Security Forces

To you we would like to say, remember that you have taken an Oath of allegiance to His Majesty the King. Through this noble oath by which you swear to serve the King and to provide security to Lesotho and Basotho as a whole, you have become the subjects to the nation. We remind you of the Sesotho saying that “U ka nketsang ha e ahe motse, empa motse ho ahoa oamorapeli...” [A sword for a sword kind of attitude does not make peace, but humility and diplomacy do]. Do remember that you are not the persecutors of the nation but the servants.

We conclude by reminding you that security of Lesotho and the Basotho is in your hands.

To the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

Your duty as the IEC is arrange for Basotho free and transparent and fair elections. This is a crucial job that is entrusted upon you, at this time when Lesotho is under disturbances and tribulations. It is the hope of Basotho that you will prepare such peaceful and acceptable elections in indeed what you are in charge of. We plead with you to proceed to do a good job in this magnanimous task.

To the Media

To you we say, in your hands you have a lethal weapon, that can put this country on fire if the weapon is not well handled. You can break or make peace, even bring about stability depending on how you use the media. We recall with concern how countries such as Rwanda experienced genocide due to inciting by the media. During this time of tension in Lesotho, we urge and request you to broadcast and publicize truth and facts only; to tell no inciting or slanderous information. Evoke your media and information ethics in your call for duty.

Our fellow Basotho who qualify as advance voters, even those who will vote on the 28^th February 2015, we advise that you go to the polls with determination and in great numbers. Do observe electoral rules and regulations that govern the way you conduct yourselves while you are at the poll stations. We strongly recommend that you be prepared to accept the results once they are announced, for the sake of peace for Basotho. Those who have lost should accept that loss. Those who have won should respect such results as the will of the people, and in such a manner that all will feel are part of the nation in this country.

Be aware our dear brethren, “....that a nation without a culture is doomed to destruction and abyss.... ....”

We wish Lesotho and Basotho free, fair transparent elections that will be just and acceptable!!