Le Nouveau Tata Cardinal du Congo

Peu avant la création de 24 nouveaux cardinaux le samedi 20 novembre 2010, le Pape Benoit XVI a souligné dans son homélie le rôle fondamental d’un cardinal. Il a insisté que « dans l’Eglise, personne n’est ni maître ni patron ; mais tous sont appelés, tous sont invités, tous sont touchés et guidés par la grâce divine… pour servir. » Pendant ce consistoire qui est le troisième d’être convoqué par lui depuis le début de son pontificat en avril 2005 à la basilique Saint- Pierre, Rome, le Saint Père a élevé son Excellence Mgr. Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archevêque de Kinshasa au rang du cardinalat. 

Né le 07 octobre 1939 à Mongobele, Bandundu, ordonné prêtre le 21 décembre 1963 et consacré évêque le 04 mai 1980, Mgr. Monsengwo était joyeusement accueilli par tous les fideles de l’Archidiocèse de Kinshasa à son retour de Rome. 

Cela a été suivi d’une célébration au stade des Martyrs de Kinshasa, le 05 décembre. Ce jour-là, le stade était noir de monde! Approximativement, il y avait plus de 20 archevêques et évêques, plus de 400 prêtres et des milliers de fidèles, les vieux comme les enfants, les hommes comme les femmes... 

Parmi les fidèles qui sont venus rendre grâce au Seigneur avec le nouveau Prince de l’Eglise pour le don d’un cardinal était son Excellence Joseph Kabila, le chef de l’Etat, les Présidents de deux chambres du Parlement Congolais, les Députés et Sénateurs, plusieurs personnalités politiques diplomates et délégués venus des pays étrangers.

Malgré le soleil brillant, ils ont consacré leur temps pour y participer. En jetant les yeux partout dans le stade, on pouvait constater tout de suite qu’environ 95% de fideles était habillé ou bien en pagne ou bien en polo blanc qui portaient le logo et la devise de son cardinalat. Cette dernière, c’est-à-dire la devise, était écrite en latin : « in fides veritatis » qui se traduit : « dans la véritable foi ».

Le logo consiste à un badge inséré dans une carte rouge du pays. Ce badge est composé d’un livre sacré où il est écrit deux lettres de l’alphabet grec: Alpha et Omega. Il y a également trois croix et une corde. Tous sont des signes de la foi profonde.

Le nouveau Cardinal a fait une homélie courte qui était lue en français, suivie d’une traduction en lingala, la langue locale.

D’abord, il a exprimé ses sentiments au moment où il était en train de célébrer la Messe d’action de grâce dans son pays natal pour son élévation à la dignité cardinalice. Il s’est adressé d’abord au Seigneur qui avait voulu l’associer plus étroitement à la mission apostolique du Christ.

Et ensuite, au Pape qui l’avait jugé digne de faire partie du collège de ses conseillers. En continuant, il a énuméré les devoirs et les obligations du cardinalat. Il a aussi donné la tâche principale d’un cardinal en citant le Saint Père.

Dans le même sujet du Pape, le cardinal a répété clairement l’appel qui lui était adressé par le Pape: celui d’être un travailleur de la paix, de la justice et de la réconciliation pour mettre fin à la guerre dans le pays.

Le Pape lui a attribué comme Eglise titulaire « Marie, Reine de la paix à Ostie ». Cette ainsi qu’il a invité tous ceux qui possédaient encore des armes à les déposer et à faire la paix. 

«Que rendrions-nous au Seigneur pour tout le bien qu’il nous a fait ? » C’est en cette note qu’il a supplié la Vierge Marie de nous accompagner dans notre parcours de foi, « Kinshasa lève-toi, resplendis de la lumière du Christ ! »

La Messe a pris fin vers 14h 00 et tous les fidèles remplis de joie, ont porté cette joie chez eux pour continuer à fêter. Nous souhaitons à notre nouveau cardinal bon service dans le vignoble du Seigneur. 

 

(This article was published on the website of the Consolata Missionaries)

Treize au service de l’Eglise.

Cinquante-six heures après les funérailles du Père François Amboko, imc, qui était mort à l’âge de 43 ans, le 28 Octobre 2010, notre famille Missionnaires de la Consolata a eu un autre événement ici au Congo, précisément au Théologat Joseph Allamano, Kinshasa, le 5 Novembre, 2010.

Cette fois-ci, puisqu’elle était l’administration de ministères dont l’acolytat et le lectorat, on était rempli de joie.

Parmi nous, la communauté du Théologat J. Allamano, huit candidats de la prêtrise ont été admis au ministère du lectorat. Il s’agit de John Kioko, Sergio Granell, Charles Osewe, Cyrille Muzesu, César Balayulu, Yeinson Andrés, Luke Nyachio et Jeremiah Nganda. Tous sont en deuxième année de théologie.

Dans la même célébration, il y avait cinq candidats qui ont été admis au service de l’autel en tant qu’acolytes. Ce group est composé de Faustin Kalolo, Geofrey Njoroge, Samuel Nyagah, Manuel Pereira et Matthias Chipoli.

Ce jour-là, nous avons commencé la célébration eucharistique à 17h30. Elle était bien animée grâce à la chorale des étudiants du philosophat P. Antonio Barbero, qui se trouve à Mont Ngafula-Kimbondo.

Le Père Rinaldo Do, imc, le Supérieur Régional, dans sa prédication a souligné les rôles d’un lecteur et d’un acolyte. Il a dit que tous les services notamment ceux des lecteurs ainsi que des acolytes viennent du Seigneur comme un don gratuit pour servir l’Eglise et les chrétiens surtout là où nous faisons la pastoral. « On ne doit pas inventer la Parole du Seigneur. Il ne faut que l’écouter, la lire et la méditer chaque moment de notre vie, car, quand on est en train de prêcher, on prêche d’abord à soi-même et ensuite, aux autres fideles, » dit-il.

Comme concélébrants, il y avait le Père Larose Richard, imc, qui travail à Neisu au diocèse d’Isiro-Niangara. Sa présence nous a fait penser aux autres missionnaires qui étaient en train de travailler dans diffèrents missions au nord du pays. Il y avait également le Père Brown Cyprian, le Recteur du séminaire Antonio Barbero, le Père Antonello Rossi, un membre du Conseille Régional et le Curé de la paroisse Mater Dei, le Diacre Bruno Bapabonza, le Père Ramon Lazaro, formateur du Theologat et le Père Symphorien Fumwasendji, le Recteur du Theologat.

Nous leur souhaitons bon service à l’Eglise.


(this article was published in Da Casa Madre , a consolata missionary magazine)

Identity search; the Peoples’ Battle.

In an attempt of following a sermon delivered in the language that doesn’t allow me sound sleep, two young persons, probably in their twenties, stepped inside the calmly-seated church. The usher directed one of them in the back pew where I was also an occupant. Both of them came and we managed to accommodate them, one on my left, though the pew was fully packed.

Hardly had the celebration ended than it started to heavily rain. Unfortunately, this rain never signaled that it will come and in a quick glance, neither of the faithful had an umbrella nor adorned in heavy clothes.

This was the third rain since I set foot in Congo. And I tell you, when the heavens open, it does so thunderously. In fact, the effects were immediately visible; scattered branches, flooding roads which at times are impassible, heavy soil erosion and many more.

Nonetheless, the celebration ended and the Priests at the altar headed for the sacristy. After a couple of Gregorian chants, the church broke loose amidst the heavy sounds of rain. Those who were in somber adoration mood turned into jovial and chatting mood. Each one on either his or her left or right, for the rain had blocked all of us from exiting the church building, while others just flocked the exit. For me it was all noise, period.

And the noise was with me. The gentleman on my left, who missed the better part of the sermon that by passed me though physically present, of an American height donned in black corduroy trouser and a kitenge shirt, became generous to start a conversation with me. Poor me! I hardly comprehended anything he said, save for the noun ‘rain’ that was in between his statement, than the little boy in me gave the affirmative sound. “Yes!” I responded munificently. When my seatmate realized how brief my response was, he got perplexed and I saw it all imprinted on his face that I never satisfied him. Probably I needed to make another sentence to rest my case. ‘Je ne parle pas bien français!’ I mumbled those few words in a staccato cadence.

At this point, the lady on his left chipped in with a giggle. On my part, I was determined to squeeze out another sentence but wapi! Luckily, she knew little English and acted as a go-between. By now the rains had stopped and we were outside the Church, getting to know each other very well. The two are siblings. The lady, Melisa, 27 and the young man, Jean, 16. Jean is the last and only boy in the family of five, parents inclusive.

Melisa could not fathom my presence in this land, while Jean had a superficial knowledge of missionaries since he schools in a mission sponsored institute. The two argued out their cases by themselves with me taking a spectator role. Then I realized that the two never agree even on simple empirical facts that missionaries exist. Latter they descended on me for ‘judgment’ and clarifications.

The chat went on for hours and hours. And the two never reached a consensus even after my contributions. The more they argued the more parallel they ended up. Then Melisa decided to open up for me.

She is very vocal and outspoken and bitterly reveled to me that Jean, her brother, robbed her of the most valued thing in her life time that she would have wished to behold until her transition to the next world. She wanted to live and die a last born in the family. She enumerated bitterly how her last born brother always gets the best in the family. All attention is directed to him. All energy directed in his affairs. All natural familial benefits are downloaded in his chamber! While she gets the least.

Jean, on the other hand, didn’t like the fact that he was the last born in the family. It bothered him much when everyone focused his or her attention on his life. He thought that he is big enough to go about the daily affairs without any interference from other family member. He yarned and wanted ‘privacy’ and self governance of his own life. For him, nothing like freedom ever existed in his vocabulary. He longed for the day he will taste freedom. He even told me that Melisa just accompanied him to the church just to ‘protect’ him and gave the reason why she followed him to the pew that was already full. All this was a nuisance and he thought it should end from this day hence forth…
Traditionally, the first and the last borns in a family received different attentions, benefits and disadvantages too. They had different roles to play and got different approach and treatments from their parents or guardians. The entire society also had its own expectations from them. The two siblings never realized this and for them it was a war of natural fate. A struggle for identity in the family. This struggle is with us in the big family, human society.

Like, Jacob, a follower and a twin brother of Esau, embezzled the birthright from the latter in a struggle that begun way before their birth, we find ourselves yearning and wrestling for identities initially not meant for us by fate. Identities that once acquired make our ergo be either contented with the status quo or advance for change. In the pursuit of this struggle, some get lost and submit to the fittest on the basis of preferences, choices and attitudes one has towards life. The identity struggle would worsen when the leaders, the peoples light to proper discernment, decide to take sides, like Rebecca, Bethwel’s daughter did to her two sons, preferring Jacob to Esau.

All in all, God is not bound by human socio-cultural structures to fulfill His intended plans. He chooses from many within many, and empowers His choice in the daily struggle. This yields a real taste of diverse experiences, talents and know-how within communion.

Fight for your identity, for it will not limit God’s intention for humanity rather augment it, but remember to ask Him to be part of the fight; and hope for the success since the best is awaiting you.

Haiti; who gets helped?

The Sun did not scotch the faithful heading for the Mass at St. Luc, Kinshasa. Indeed, they braved the afternoon heat to pray and help their brothers and sisters far away in Haiti. Tranquility filled the church. Their minds definitely raced kilometers away in the Caribbean. Each must have wondered about the human sufferings par rapport God’s Love. This fifth Friday, 2010 Mass was a special prayer session in the whole Archdiocese of Kinshasa.

Life was normal in Haiti after the country’s 206th independence celebrations on 1st January. Twelve days later, a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook this tiny country. Change was evidence. Cries all over! Lost lives! Blood oozed! Buildings in the vicinity went down! People turned homeless!

Today, the “Help Haiti’ petitions are all over. It has not bypassed any rational and spiritual being on earth. Large and small organizations have come together for this purpose. Internationally, all the humanitarian aid in Haiti is headed by the former US President Bill Clinton, the man behind the William J Clinton Foundations, which ‘focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results’. Indeed, Haiti’s case demands rapid response. Humanity indeed has shown solidarity that has never been witnessed in its history.

But could someone be making an easy life out of Haiti’s casualty?

Located in the western one-third of the Hispaniola Island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, Haiti, only borders the Dominican Republic. Being in the middle of the hurricane belt, the region is no stranger to the natural disasters like earthquakes and tornados. Moreau de Saint-Méry, a French historian of the 18th century, reported that the whole Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Capital collapsed during the earthquake of 1770. Later, in 1842, an 8.0 magnitude hit Dominican Republic where Haiti was a victim of milieu. Haiti had its share again in 1946. My question is, has this zone gotten used to these forms of calamities?

Haiti covers an area of 27,750 km², 20 times smaller than Kenya, my home country. Only 190km² is water. This piece of terrain held 9,035,536 inhabitants according to the World FactBook updated in July 2009. If justice was to prevail, that translates to 328 people per square kilometer. Overpopulated? The terrain is semi arid with occasional droughts and tropical downpour. This is where global help is directed.

We all have our discourses on what happened to the world on 12th January. Most of which are centrally pointed towards God, for He is the Creator and Almighty. But wait.

No one is indifferent to pleasure or pain. Neither are we freed from passions of any kind. We are always moved by either joy or grief. The two dictate the cause of our actions. Haiti’s phenomenon grieved us and moved us to actions. A conservatist stoic might raise an alarm. But being at the service of all fellow human beings is the underlying desire of every person’s heart. At the same moment, to be afraid of skepticism is being at the verge of naïve lifestyle. That I may feel and be doubtful of my next action is normal and neither good nor bad

Helping is naturally a good thing in itself. Providing means for helping others is another good thing. But making business out of the plight of the needy is not good. Today, I refuse to believe in the many of the adverts dubbed “Help Haiti” “Donate blah blah blah” to be objectively good. Others are genuine but a good number have sinister conmanship at play. The latter, either as person or agency, grab the occasion to manipulate the society. They bank on the prevailing feelings of circumstances appealing for intensive aid.

Who doesn’t fear being manipulated? Do these donations reach the victims as intended by the benefactor? Who is the prime recipient of all the donations? Don’t we hear the victims lament even after two or so months of giving aid?

At the end of the Fifth Friday Mass, all left with somber-mood-patched faces. Smile was hardly seen. They must have been satisfied by the prayers and donations they offered. Yet they doubted the actions of both God, before the quake and those of human beings after the quake. Haiti is here to haunt us eternally.

The Pecking orders during Communion

One of the homilies that I literally fell in love with was delivered by my parish priest on the occasion of the solemnity of Visitation, 31st May 2007.

It commenced with a short story on the events that punctuate the welcoming ceremony of a visitor and preferably one from the city. He gave a typical traditional home setup and how the daily programme suffers alteration at the comfort of the visitor. “The coming of the visitor changes a lot of things in the village…” goes the story. He further enumerated a litany of advantages that glues such a visit at home not mentioning the disadvantages.

The first to feel this change are the children. They benefit from the change of dietary, and there goes the first advantage amidst others. A system which ones was vegetarian in nature, because of either the parents’ pocket dilemma or love of animal husbandry, turns delicious evidenced in the children’s oil-shinny mouths after the agape. Indeed there will be some blood spilt in the name of wendo modhial (distinguished visitor) at any cost.

Secondly, those kids who either daily go in birthday suits or tattered clothes would that day benefit from the textile products or mitumba, for their parents, the host, cannot bear shame of not affording their offspring some clothes. They are clothed with the Christmas reserve attires. Not only the children but also the house is adorned to kill.

Everything is well set.

The parents also get in their Sunday best even if the visitation day happens to be in the middle of the week. The children’s etiquette would change for the best just to show the visitor that they are ‘always’ hospitable and well-mannered even if that wasn’t the case. But once the visitor has gone, the home meter gauge reads back as it were three days before the actual visit. All in all the change would be felt. This mannerism of the children is what struck me most not only in that sermon but also in places we visited during our pastoral activities at the parish, by then.

Once I was helping with the distribution of the Eucharist in three different outstations. There was a phenomenon that began in the first outstation and spread in all the three. It was the case of real pecking orders during communion. Notice this, when there is a priest concelebrating the Eucharist, the concelebrant would receive the blood of Christ after the main celebrant, and the protocol would follow till the last Christian to commune.

Perturbed by the young Christians-children, who were literally following the order, I wondered at first that the many children who hanged Rosaries on their necks, a sign that they have received the First Holy Communion, were reluctant to come forward to receive the body of Christ. Kumbe, I realized that the line was full of parents and elderly persons; and the young people had to wait for their turn. Then immediately I recalled to mind that famous mannerism when a visitor is at home the children would enjoy the leftovers.

Hardly had the last adult finish with the communion, than the first child woke up and came forth followed by an overwhelming crowd of children. Any how, this struck me most when the same trend got repeated in the two other outstations as if they had the same instructions on this issue of pecking orders during communion. For them it was the case of good manners, I guess.

What about the adults? Well, others would wait for the choir to begin the communion hymn then, inspired by the hymn, they would go forward. Here the choir should be cautious with the type of hymn lest they not inspire such a person even though inspiration cum preparation should flow in the whole celebration. Such are the people the sermon do not make sense, for either the priest has turned the pulpit into a political dais or they have antisermon venom in their blood, they dosed throughout the sermon.

While for the choir members it is a last-minute reception of the Lord after they are done with the singing. Yes, when we sing we double prayer; but remember to receive the Lord meditatively, not in a last minute rush. Yet others would just find themselves moving to receive the body of Christ. What prompts this lot is to counter the disturbances caused by other faithful heading for the table of the Lord. Another funny lot gazes at each other to see who goes first…

There is this specific old man, call him Mzee Cornelius, whom I have seen through out my lifetime at my home parish as a catechumen until now. Cornelius indeed has a unique style of receiving communion just like other jopunj dini, catechists. He would always wait for the singing to go half way as he nods to the tune no matter the language of the song, and then solemnly walk to the Altar in a contemplative posture and steps that occasionally would annoy those who follow him at his promptly overtaking him speedily as if on a highway. Reaching the Altar, he would kneel down, bow with clamped hands close to his chest and murmur a few words, I guess some sort of prayer, the priest would by pass him twice or thrice, and as if afraid of seeing Christ, close his eyes letting his tongue out to be given the body of Christ. In the mean time the communion hymn would be almost through. He indeed welcomes Christ as a special visitor. How about you? Do not ask me my way.

The New Constitution; a New Dawn for Kenyans in Diaspora.

It took Kenya 20 years to come up with a people oriented and friendly constitution. Having made several attempts in this search and passed its final journey through the Parliament on 1st April, and massively approved by the people in the referendum on 4th August, the Kenyan president, Mr. Mwai Kibaki, signed into law the new Constitution on 27th August, 2010 at the historic grounds of Uhuru Park jam-packed by persons of all caliber. This was a special sacred moment when all Kenyans were to be in Kenya in person to witness this new birth.

Alas, that can not materialize. It is estimated that there are over 2.5 million Kenyans living overseas. This translates to 6.77% of the Kenyan population.

Nonetheless, celebrations had to continue even outside the geographical boundary of Kenya. In Democratic Republic of Congo, some 2,411.48 kilometers away from Nairobi, there was the same triumphant ambiance. All was new! Kenya was born anew and it could be felt.

Beginning by the ‘happy birthday’ greetings, from which I even did not know how to respond to since am not acquainted to such wishes addressed to me in the middle of the year, for my bundle of wishes always come at the start of the year, we gathered not only to welcome the new republic but also to feel part of this heavy task that has opened to us a new door of hope.

The opening prayer was conducted by Fr. Urbanus Mutunga Ndunda, a Kenyan consolata missionary working as a parish priest in Bisengo Mwambe, a parish in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa. Later in the evening, we had a chance to follow the four-hour promulgation ceremony of the new constitution from a big screen in the compound of our Kenyan embassy.

What is this new republic for us Kenyans living in diaspora (KLD)?

The new constitution dawns with it new changes. These significant changes touch all aspects of our human life and society. The good thing is that it doesn’t discriminate a Kenyan depending on where he or she is thanks to its third and seventh chapter.

Firstly, the third chapter that dwells on citizenship gives a big smile and relief to some of KLD who had in one way or another lost their identity as Kenyans; compatriots, who found themselves in an awkward situation of selling away their birthrights as Kenyans for greener pastures, and those in mixed marriages with nothing to do other than crossing the borderlines. Now the multiple or dual citizenship in sec 14 and 16 restores the sense of belonging in the ‘lost’ KLD.
Kenya has now opened its doors for the lost link with this community. It has renewed the link with their native land, family and friends. It has also opened a link for business and further developments that the countries with multiple citizenships enjoy. Kenya has headed to the signs of the time, where now, the world is a global village.

Secondly, as legal KLD, we are from now onwards going to fully and actively participate in the political development of our country. In section 82(1) (e), the parliament will enact legislation to provide for ‘the progressive registration of citizens residing outside Kenya, and the progressive realization of their right to vote’. Definitely we shall be exercising this right! Not only by talking, but by acting also. Think of it this way, having a polling station in the embassy’s offices instead of the Olympic primary school in Kibera. And there you go; beside the reception’s desk is the transparent ballot box to cast the vote. So exciting! No?

The seventh chapter empowers and gives opportunity to the KLD to elect their political leaders; president, senators, members of the National Assembly and county governors!

This external voting is helpful for those living, working, studying and on various trips or journeys outside Kenya during the voting periods. ‘It was angering, annoying, frustrating and confusing not to participate in the general elections of my country’, revels Mr. Edward Kite, who has been working in Congo for quiet along time. He has felt deprived of a say in his country’s future and plans. This ‘cut-off’ attitude in him is buried and he is among the people who really feel the new dawn has come with the change of attitude. Has unchained the past angers and given a sigh of relief for KLD. So far so good, the international community has lauded this step that Kenya has taken.

(this article was published in the Seed Magazine)

Fr. François Amboko, imc, 43, passes on to eternity.

‘Siku njema huonekana asubuhi’, writes Ken Walibora in his swahili novel, Siku Njema. This translates as a nice day is always seen at its dawn. Indeed it was siku njema for us the Consolata missionaries in Congo, the family, friends and relatives and all, who came to pay their last respect to our fallen brother, confrere and friend the late Fr. François Amboko Natambise, imc. There was little rain and the weather was promising. The harsh Kinshasa sun gave in for a cool day. This was a blessing and a nice beginning of a two-day mourning period.

A section of us gathered at St. Joseph Hospital mortuary. This delegation was led by our Regional Superior, Fr. Rinaldo Do, imc. And, by 11.43 am we were en route to Mater Dei Parish, where the late Fr. François served as the Assistant Parish Priest until his untimely demise on the 28th October, 2010.

The arrival at the parish was greeted by the ringing of the church bell, the mourning religious men and women and the queue of the pupils making two lines and in between them the pallbearers who were seminarians in their cassocks.

Despite the somber mood, it was a colorful and triumphal entry into the church which the late served for one year. He won the race and deserved the welcome.

Prayers were conducted, thereafter, by the parish priest of Mater Dei, Fr. Antonello. Then the viewing of the body and paying homage continued.

Later in the evening, at 7.00 pm, there was the Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Rinaldo, Fr. Antonello and Fr. Symphorien assisted each other as the main celebrants amidst many other concelebrants. It was celebrated in lingala, one of the local languages and Fr. Symphorien, the Rector of Bl. J. Allamano theological seminary, Kinshasa, gave out the homily. After the Mass, which lasted until 9.16 pm, was the night vigil prayers and songs very well animated.

The Tuesday, 02nd November, 2010 was a day of its kind. It was the day we thought of all our dear departed members. It was All Souls Day. That morning the sun rose to dry up the wet land and the Christians from all walks of life and all corners of the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered for the Requiem Mass and burial of the late Fr. François. These people of God came to church with well decorated flowers that had the consoling words and the ‘adieu’ to Rev. Fr. François. Many were dressed in black, the official mourning colour!

By ten o’clock, the procession of the clergy had reached the holy altar. The choir was at its best, singing out their voices and playing the instruments to every beat of the music! One of the choir members revealed to me that, ‘our father liked music very much and we want to send him to heaven musically!’

His grace Mgr. Nsielele Mputu Zi Fidèle of Kisantu diocese celebrated the Mass. He was very brief in his sermon, citing the consoling words of both St. Paul and the gospel. He pointed out that the life of our departed brother was and remains a lesson to us, a lesson that we need to remain staunch in persevering the hardships of life and being available for the service of the church.

Among those who publicly witnessed to the life of our departed brother were; a Christian from Bisengo Mwambe, a parish that the late Fr. François pastorally administered before moving to Mater Dei. He revealed the love the late Fr. François had for the youths and his sportive initiatives to bring them together. He was then followed by Fr Ramon, imc who worked with the late in the early years of the 21st century in Ivory Coast. Fr. Ramon exhorted the fallen priest as a great musician. He evangelized with his flute! ‘Since he didn’t know very well the local language, for he had just joined us, he quickly mastered the music of the people and would later sing for them using his flute,’ he told the gathering. Last but not least, was Fr. Antonello, the parish priest, Mater Dei, who recognized in the late the love and dedication to the youth apostolate. ‘He had a dream for the youths in the parish.’

Finally, the regional superior Fr. Rinaldo spoke in the name of the entire Consolata missionary family and in a special way for those working in Congo. He later invited mamma Maria, the mother of the late Fr. François, who courageously gave her last words on this sad day. She sincerely thanked the Consolata missionaries for the support they have accorded them as a family during this hard moment and for their son when he was still alive. She promised to remain a mother to all the Consolata missionaries.

The final procession to the cemetery begun at 12.03 pm. It took us some 40 minutes to reach the cemetery; the final resting place of the body of our dear brother. At exactly 1.00 pm, the body was lowered into the grave and later the flowers covered all over the brown casket. Each person gave the late a flower or a bunch of it. We then all left in silent, many minds meditating on the mystery of life. May he rest in peace.

(this article is published in the site of the Consolata Missionaries)

Three Consolata Missionaries ordained in Congo

‘Tu es prêtre a jamais.’ Reads a banner inside the church building of Mater Dei Parish in Kisantu diocese that welcomed a magnitude of parents, friends, brothers and sisters to a unique celebration on the 19th June, 2010. Literal translation; ‘you are a priest forever.’ The parish, managed by the Consolata Missionaries, is a long the Kinshasa-Matadi highway, around 20km south of the capital, Kinshasa.

The day also marked the special celebration of the Feast of Our Lady Consolata.

By nine o’clock, the faithful started trickling in one by one and some in groups well set for the celebration. One could see even from their happy anxious faces that something good was really expected that chilly day. They braved the cold weather and later even missed the two world cup soccer tournaments of the day! In fact, for the drivers, the visibility was almost negative due to heavy fog and many trucks were packed by the roadside waiting for the atmosphere to clear up. It was ‘raining cold’, period.

Elegance was the order of the day and by ten minutes to ten all was set for the ceremony which was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, the Apostolic Nuncio of Democratic Republic of Congo. The candidates were present; Deacon Artur Mooke Ngaba, imc, a Congolese who did his theology in Kenya, Tangaza college for priestly ordination and seminarians Geoffrey Kiria, imc (Kenyan) and Bruno Bapabonza, imc (Congolese) who both did their theology here in Congo for diaconate ordinations. Others who graced the occasion were Amb. Pio Mariani, the ambassador of Italy to DR Congo, Fr. James Lengarin, imc, who represented the Kenya-Uganda region, religious members and some of their superiors, diocesan priests etc.

In his homily, that was highly dedicated to the candidates for ordinations, his grace pointed out the significance of the priestly and diaconate ordinations. He reminded them of the sacrifices that are within the sacerdotal life and called them once again into prayer life citing blessed Joseph Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries, ardent prayer life.

To me this was a unique ordination. Totally different from others that I have attended. When I say different, I mean in the level of its organization, for ordination (Holy Orders), as a sacrament, transmit the same graces and powers no matter the circumstances surrounding it. Two reasons outline this uniqueness.

Firstly, it was the first that I attended here in Congo, outside my home country. Now imagine the expectations I had built all through its beginning until end. I was anxious to participate in it the Congolese style. I even imagined an ordination in the Zairian rite! To listen to the Zairian tunes and the litany that moves the soul!

Secondly, a priestly ordination inside the Church building! For me, unheard. A scandal! Blame my background. Am used to the ordinations in an open air space. Full-blown in the public eye. A place like Tumsifu Centre in Kisumu, for those who know it, is the place to be for an ordination. At some point, I thought that the church walls would collapse due to the magnitude of persons present for the celebration. Indeed it was full to the brim!

At the end of the day, deacon Artur became Fr. Artur and the two seminarians became Deacons Kiria and Bruno, an additional in the sacred orders before the end of the year for priests. Fr. Artur is destined for studies and missionary work back in Kenya while the two deacons are here with us in Congo.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD!

Some things pass our sight less noticed unless they directly or indirectly influence our welfare. For instance, one would go for medicine unless in need of prevention or cure of some illness without which would assume that they do exist.

Way back when there was the introduction of the new safety gadgets in the public service vehicles, there arose a major breakdown in the transport and communication sector in Kenya. Majority of the Kenyans came to realize the importance of transport sector in the society. This affected many Kenyans who earned the dictum, ‘the walking and working nation’ just to make the ends meet. Which types of ends do meet under such a tough and rigorous conditions. Most likely to satisfy the needs of the body.

Then dawns the big global issue of hunger in the pursuit to make the ends meet, to satisfy the bodily needs. Fundamentally, food is one of the basic human rights but yet the global numbers of hunger victims grow in large number day in day out. Many people live below the poverty line. In fact according to the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), more than 852 million people which is roughly 13% of the world’s population sleep hungry if not having enough to eat in a day so as to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Eradication of poverty, through human literacy, in an attempt to reduce hunger in the universe has been one of the objectives of the sovereign nations. Even Kenya has a take on it to salvage the environment. This is the sole reason for the World Food Day to which Koffi Annan, the Secretary General to the United Nation by then, said, “the world has enough resources and the know- how to make hunger history. What we need is political will and resolve”.

The Church too is not left behind in this fight. During one of the traditional Angelus addressed by the Pope Benedict XVI in November, spoke of more than 800 million of people who suffer hunger and termed it a global scourge. Hunger is one of the many subject matters in the Church today. The latter in deed is also aware of this calamity that has visited the humanity, which not only spread through the African continent but also navigates Asia amid few places all over the world.

Christ’s epoch was not forgotten by this challenge of hunger for food. Indeed this challenge has made part of the human culture, let alone the Israelites in the desert who grumbled at God and Moses. They were faced with the hunger scourge yet God fed them with bread from heaven, giving them strength to reach the land full of honey and milk, Canaan. Christ also faced with pity on those who followed him, during various occasions; felt the need to not only feed them spiritually but also materially. He showed a perfect sign of concern to the hungry and reawakened the body by feeding it with five loafs of breed and two fish, for the soul may be willing but the flesh might be week. This shows our total dependence on the one who provides for our daily physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. We should not be worried “about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear.”

Imagine the Eucharistic celebration devoid of the Lord’s Prayer. No, unimaginable! For sure it will cease to be the Lord’s Supper, for this would be unfinished business in the sacrifice that the Son of man, not only personally inaugurated by giving us His body and blood to partake on as a means of our sanctification, but also taught us this noble prayer; “…give us this day our daily bread,” which make part of the Sacramental celebration. Through the Eucharist, we are assured of the Divine Providence that is the basis of our daily life.

Just as there are many higher institutions like United Nation, World Food Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization and many more that look after the well-being of a person’s consumption also the Church ensures spiritual health to her children. That the Christian is fed well with the spiritual bread hence do not suffer spiritual malnutrition due to spiritual hunger.

(this article was published in the Seed Magazine)

ST. MONICA’S SILVER JUBILEE

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ahero Catholic Church was the ground that welcomed a mammoth of Luo widows known as St. Monica Widows. 30th August 2009 marked the Silver Jubilee of the movement since it’s foundation within the Archdiocese of Kisumu. The occasion was graced by Rt. Rev. Linus Okok and concelebrated by various priests among them Rev. Thaddeus Oluoch, the patron and Spiritual director of the movement.

In his sermon, the bishop stressed the importance of prayer in the life of any Christian and in a special way in the life of jokamonica (members of St. Monica) citing the dedication and perseverance of St. Monica, Augustine’s mother, in prayer. Being the Year of the Priests, he further urged the jokamonica to pray for the priests, their sons in faith, that they may administer the sacraments and the Word in purity of heart as their matron saint, Monica did to her son. He exonerated them of their brave step in remaining faithful widows in the church despite the Luo traditions of widow inheritance.

This was an extraordinary celebration in Kisumu Archdiocese owing to the fact that since its foundation, St. Monica widows have not converged in such a multitude to profess publicly that they want and will continue following the will of God and not the earthly precepts especially those attached to the Luo culture of widow inheritance. A cultural practice that has a lot of controversy in the region and beyond its borders. In the Mass scores of them took their public promise while another good number renewed their promise.

Its beginning
One Sunday in the sixth month of the year 1984 at Kibuye parish, Rev. Fr. Silvester Sulwe, (R.I.P) then the Parish Priest, made a solemn announcement after the celebration of the Eucharist; to meet all the widows of his parish. Surprisingly, there was a big turnout. This prompted him to regulate the number so that he can have manageable members for a start. Therefore, he ensured that, ‘ngat mabedo e kanyaklani nyaka bed dhako manie sakramit ma ok olimo chik piny bang tho jaode’ (members in this group must be receiving Holy Communion and must have not undergone any cleansing rite since the demise of their husbands). This became the sole criterion for the strong foundation and later membership into the movement. With this criterion, many widows were unworthy since in one way or another they had involved themselves in the practice. Only five of them were found worthy and together with Fr. Sulwe, the movement began taking shape.

The journey of great perseverance and hardship in fighting this bogus and superstitious tradition kicked off. It was a lifelong sojourn and the immediate agendum after the green light from the Archbishop Okoth Zaccheus of Kisumu Archdiocese, was the name of the movement. After thorough consultation and discussions with the members, the founding priest settled on St. Monica. This is because of many suffering and inhuman treatment met on the widows who refused to undergo cleansing after the death of their beloved husbands.

The perpetrators of such inhuman acts upon widows are at times their offspring, in laws, friends, and even other relatives. This lifestyle was not far from that of St. Monica. She also had her share in the suffering caused by the lifestyle of her husband, Patrice, and son, Augustine. The former having hardheartedness and not professing Christianity while the latter following a weird and immoral lifestyle.

With this in her family, she embarked on prayer as her sole arsenal to help convert them. Her perseverance in prayer yielded the fruit of double conversion of her husband and son who later became the bishop of Hippo, doctor of the church and a saint. This was in line with these widows; hence, their patroness being St. Monica.

The next move was to let the movement be known all over the diocese and even beyond. The members went out as itinerary preachers (joinjili) to mobilize other widows who felt the need of following Christ in purity after the death of their husbands. This was between 1985 up to 1988, seeing them cover most parishes in the diocese. Ugenya and Alego regions recorded a big turnout. The founding priest chose Psalm 46:1=11 which motivates them to this date, giving them the charisma to forge ahead despite the many odds in life.

The Five Pillars
Their founder, Rev. Fr. Sulwe had five very important pillars for the widows to abide by as they journey amidst various turbulent. These were:
1) Jokamonica nyaka tim kinda gi lemo (they must pray unceasingly)
2) Jokamonica nyaka land St. Monica e ping ngima (they must spread the movement to the whole world)
3) Kik jokamonica medie chumbi (they must not exergerate)
4) Nyaka gi lu chike Nyasaye gi adiera (they must be faithful to God’s precepts)
5) Nyaka gi lu chik jabiskop (they must follow the directives of the bishop)
Later on there was a composition of the St. Monica’s Anthem “wan gi chir” composed by Mrs. Clement Ogolla which is to date the household name of the movement.

The culture: “Ter”
The Luo tribe has for many years observed the custom of “ter” (widow inheritance yet for its proponents translation being ‘the institution for the care of widows among the Luo tribe’) as part of their earthly living. The younger brother of the deceased or any other relation if the former is not available inherits the widow after the widow undergoing ‘cleansing ritual’. The inheritor is to provide security, financial support, a canopy of male headship and parental care for her children and continuation of the deceased name and life incase by the time of his death he did not bear children.

There are various ‘cleansing rituals’ to do away with the bad omen (kola) believed to have been brought by the death of her husband. One involves the herbal treatment while another involves sleeping with a social misfit or outcast or madman or a well known person of this trade. In the first case, herbal treatment, the widow mixes the herbs in either the food and bathing water or in one of the two, so that when the brother in law leaves her home, he does not carry with him the bad omen. And in the second, the brother in law inherits her only after sleeping with the misfit, whom it is believed to have carried the evil spirit after the act.

This cultural phenomenon has for ages represented the Luo people as culturally complex tribe which has aroused different worldviews of thought especially in the intellectual and religious domain. Some societal critics have described it is most degrading, dehumanizing and painful to the Luo widows.

The widow who refuses to undergo this rite would face pressures from all fronts of life, and in most cases considered ‘unclean’ before the members of the society. Such pressures include not being allowed to participate in any social economic and spiritual function or activity, for she was viewed as a death time bomb ready for explosion. This enslaved the widows into psychological fear and endless poverty making them submit to the practice.

Drastic step
Many institutions and organization have come in to salvage the Luo widow from such practices. Such an institution in the forefront is the Catholic Church’s St. Monica Widows movement.

They animate the people on the dangers of the practice and on how the widow having undergone such a practice suffers in the hand of an inheritor. But the members in this movement are not sailing it smoothly. Many have met slow martyrdom while holding firm to their faith and Christian doctrines.

Agnes Okuogo who hails from Ojolla, was forced to have an inheritor, and in her prayers, the inheritor later turned eunuch. Whereas, Filomena Omuso had to seek refuge at Aluor Parish after having been evicted by her relatives from her home. Others like Christina Odundo have been attacked and battered with rungus by their children.

The battle is still on and nothing will stop these widows be it intimidation or physical assaults until they rest their case and desire in God’s will. And as their anthem states; ‘wan gi chir ka watingo achaye Yesu ka wachiko ka Monika’. Indeed this calls for bravery and faith!

(this article was published in the Seed Magazine http://seedmagazine.org/index.html in the March issue, No 3, Vol. 22)