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Madagascar’s National Eucharistic Congress “will give us the strength to live our faith”: Cardinal
The August 23-25 National Eucharist Congress (KEN 2024) in Madagascar, the third in the country, could go a long way in strengthening the faith of the people of God in the country, the Cardinal in the Indian Ocean Island nation has said.
“This Congress will help us achieve fraternity”: Catholic Archbishop on Madagascar’s National Eucharistic Congress
The August 23-25 National Eucharist Congress in Madagascar, the third in the country, can help the Indian Ocean Island nation “achieve” peaceful co-existence, a Catholic Archbishop in the country has said. In his homily during the opening Mass of KEN 2024, Archbishop Benjamin Marc Balthason Ramaroson underscored the need for spiritual renewal and highlighted the role of the Eucharistic Congress in achieving fraternity in Madagascar as important. “This congress will help us achieve fraternity in our country and the world. The world is already destroyed in every way and needs healing,” Archbishop Ramaroson said, and added, “If we want fraternity to reign in this world, we must first change ourselves.” To achieve this transformation, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana said, participants in the Eucharistic celebration that was held at Kianjasoa stadium needed to arm themselves with three essential virtues: “generosity, service, and truth.” On his part, President Andry Rajoelina expressed his gratitude and that of the State for the Catholic Church's contribution to society. “It is only fair that the State supports the actions of the Church in return, as it does a lot for the well-being of the population,” President Rajoelina said. He said fraternity is “important and worthy of consideration for us to take on the tasks and challenges we will face, for the development of the country.” The President of the Indian Ocean nation donated a 5-hectare land to the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana. The Malagasy Metropolitan See plans to build facilities on this land to assist the residents. President Rajoelina also promised to contribute to the construction of the St. Francis of Assisi Church. Meanwhile, in his message to participants of the Eucharistic Congress, the President of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity and Pastoral Care at CEM, Archbishop Jean de Dieu Raoelison, called for staying “away from anything that may cause division and strife because Christ has united us all as one in Himself on the Cross.” “Take advantage of this Congress to gain strength to approach all people and to approach God,” Archbishop Raoelison said. He implored, “May faith in Jesus Christ in the Eucharist fill our hearts and be reflected in our lives.” The Malagasy Catholic Archbishop further implored, “We wish a holy pilgrimage for all of us participating in this National Eucharistic Congress and may this great celebration bring good results for our souls. May the Blessed Virgin Mary help and support us to examine carefully in our hearts.” Organized under the theme, “Fraternity to Heal the World: You are all brothers and sisters (Mt 23:8),” the August 23-25 Eucharistic Congress aims to restore the value of fraternity among the people of God in the Indian Ocean Island nation.
War has an "abyss of evil" at Its Center: Pope Francis
Pope Francis asked Catholic politicians and legislators to be witnesses of hope to a “war-weary world,” especially the next generation.
Newly Elected President of Catholic Nuns in Eastern, Central Africa Association Urges Synergy, “deepening” of Charisms
The newly elected president of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has, in her acceptance speech, called for synergy among members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) in the region.
Pope Francis to Find a Lively and Simple Faith in Papua New Guinea
Pope Francis will visit Papua New Guinea as part of an apostolic journey that will take place Sept. 2-13 in Oceania and that will also take him to Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore.
Catholic Priest in Ghana Lauds “rising active lay Apostolate” in the Church in Africa
More than ever before, the Laity in Africa is seeking more involvement in the Church, the Vice Superior of the Ghana Province of the Society of African Missions, (SMA) has said, noting that lay people on the continent are no longer satisfied with being “mere consumers of sacraments”.
Synod on Synodality: Catholic Bishops Launch Regional, Continental Workshops ahead of October Meeting in Rome
Around the world, bishops together with the Catholic faithful of their dioceses are gearing up for the second session of the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality to take place Oct.2-27 in Vatican City.
Catholics in Africa Urged to Uphold Traditional Marriage, Shun “cultural experimentation” on Family
Theologians leading the ongoing weekly synodal conversations have urged Catholics in Africa to uphold the sacredness of marriage, and to say no to any ideologies that may distort the image of the family institution.
Facilitating “holistic formation”: Role of Catholic Nuns in Eastern, Central Africa in Laity’s Faith Formation Lauded
The leadership of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has recognized with appreciation the role of Catholic Nuns in the faith formation of the Laity in Eastern and Central Africa.
Medical Students’ Abduction, Freezing of Protesters’ Bank Accounts “broader pattern of insecurity” in Nigeria: Cardinal
John Cardinal Onaiyekan has described the recent abduction of 20 medical students in Nigeria and the government's response to the August 1-10 #Endbadgovernance protests as part of a “broader pattern of insecurity” in the West African nation.
Living the Fruits of the Holy Spirit Helps us Spread Holiness: Pope Francis at General Audience
During his general audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about the Holy Spirit, focusing on the fruits of being anointed with blessed oil in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.
Plenary Assembly of Catholic Nuns in East, Central Africa to Strategize Formation to Adjust to Contemporary “changes”
The topic of formation of Catholic Sisters, both initial and ongoing, is central in the ongoing 19th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA).
Nigerian Archbishop Reminisces about “perfect” Catholic Church – Nicaraguan State Relationship before Persecution
Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, the Nigerian-born Vatican-based Catholic Church leader, who previously served as the Apostolic Nuncio in Nicaragua has reflected on the days before the Central American nation started experiencing religious persecution.
Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini to Extend Diplomatic Service to Botswana
The representative of the Holy Father in the Southern African nations of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini is to extend his role as Apostolic Nuncio to Botswana.
Catholic Church in Africa "not afraid to speak": Synod on Synodality Organizer, Cardinal Hollerich
The prelate told La Croix that the Church in Africa is one that is “alive and full of faith” and that he came to Benin to “learn.”
“A very effective means”: Catholic Archbishop on Ability of Eucharist to “transform” Nigerian Society
The Eucharist has the power to “transform” Nigeria into a society that upholds moral values and altruism, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has said.
“Great delight”: President of Malawi on Encounter with Pope Francis in Rome
The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, has described his Monday, August 19 audience with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Place in Rome as a “great delight”.
We’re “called to collaborate in redeeming the world”: Carmelite Archbishop to Catholic Nuns in Eastern, Central Africa
Consecrated persons have responded to God’s call to participate in renewing the world, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, a member of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD), has told participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA).
Catholic Theologian Urges Apostolic Nuncios to Acknowledge Diversity of Church in Africa “as a gift” to Universal Church
To foster the good relations between Apostolic Nunciatures and the Church in Africa, representatives of the Holy Father on the continent must strive to acknowledge the diversity of the Church in Africa “as a gift” to the global Catholicism, an official at the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has said.
Nairobi-based Jesuit University College Lauded for Educating, Forming “men, women of integrity, competence, conscience”
Hekima University College (HUC), the 41-year-old Nairobi-based institution under the auspices of the Society of Jesus (SJ/Jesuits), has been instrumental in empowering the people of God with values that St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the global Society, espoused, Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira has said.
