MOZAMBIQUE – Southern African Bishops’ Appeal for Peace in Mozambique

Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – Cautious opening of the Mozambican government’s with regards to the request of RENAMO (Mozambique National Resistance) to involve domestic observers in the dialogue to resolve the crisis that saw the national army attack the headquarters of the former guerrilla movement in the forests of Sadjunjira in the central province of Sofala, on October 21. The leader of RENAMO, Afonso Dhlakama, managed to escape and hide in an unspecified place.

Since then, in attacks committed by men of RENAMO to government institutions and along the roads, dozens of people have lost their lives.

José Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture and head of the government commission for dialogue with the main = opposition party, said that the government is ready to recognize the participation in discussions with RENAMO of Lourenco do Rosario, Rector of the private “A Polytechnic” University, and Mgr. Dinis Sengulane, Anglican Bishop of Lebombo, but rejected the idea of involving foreign mediators, saying that “we Mozambicans can solve internal affairs”.

Meanwhile in the administrative elections boycotted by RENAMO, the ruling party, FRELIMO, was re-elected at the head of the administration of the capital Maputo.

The Mozambican crisis was recalled by IMBISA Assembly (Interregional Association of Bishops of Southern Africa), the body that brings together the Bishops of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, which was held in mid-November in Gaborone (Botswana). “We follow with concern, says the message of IMBISA, what is happening in Mozambique in recent times. It seems that the weapons are being replaced, bringing suffering and death, to dialogue and cooperation of all for the consolidation of peace”.

Referring to the peace agreements of 1992, which put an end to a war which lasted 17 years, the message said that “Mozambique and its leaders are taken as an example of how to end a long war through dialogue”.

“Mozambique plays a very important role in our region. Its progress and stability are vital for our Countries to consolidate their development. We therefore call on our governments to join their voices to that of the people of Mozambique to demand the cessation of all acts of violence and the use of weapons and to encourage all efforts of dialogue”, the document concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2013)

Come closer to yourself, book written by Marcel Neels, M.Afr.

Dear Confrère,

I have published a book called “Come closer to yourself”. It is the outcome of many retreats I directed. I truly believe that it can be an excellent tool for spiritual reflection for many of us. May I ask you to kindly make it known to the confreres of your responsibility? You can have a look at the book and its content table by typing the title “Come closer to yourself” in Google search. Google advertises the book for a couple of months. Perhaps a good present for Christmas to give to confreres, priests, Sisters?

The book can be ordered directly from the Publisher

Thank you in advance for your fraternal cooperation in this matter.

Marcel Neels, M.Afr.

Death of the mother of our confrere Stanislas Lubungo

Dear Confreres,

I regret to inform you of the passing on of Stan Lubungo’s mother in Mpongwe hospital last night. She was admitted yesterday and passed away around 02 hours.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

Let us pray for her that she rests in peace and for the family that they find strength in the Lord.

If you would like to pass a word of condolences to Stan who is still in France, you may do so by sending a word to Stanislas below this message under “Leave a comment”.

In Christ,

Christopher Chileshe, M.Afr

SAP Provincial

UPDATES:

The funeral took place on the 29th November 2013.

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Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World

1. THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.

I. A JOY EVER NEW, A JOY WHICH IS SHARED

2. The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.

Full text in English (571 KB – 76 pages)

Summary in French / Français (146 KB)

Interview with Vanessa Jackson

Interview with Vanessa Jackson who is an African-American women who shares with us her liberation journey. Her personal journey goes from trauma to power wounding. She is an activist and a “narrative therapist”. In this interview she shows to be quite critical with the traditional clinical approach to people who have been carrying wounds from systemic oppression, especially from inherited slavery. She says: “Dr. Cartwright was an expert in slave medicine and based on his observations and reports from overseers, he described a mental illness that caused slaves to run away from their natural condition of enslavement. As a pro-slavery advocate, Dr. Cartwright believed that such behavior could only be characterized as mental illness. While this term sounds completely outrageous to us today, I would argue that such terms as oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorders which are widely use to describe, medicate and incarcerate children and adolescents are modern day examples of pathologizing efforts to liberate oneself and these labels blind us to the oppression that marginalized groups, like enslaved persons and children experience when they lack power and agency.”  Full Text