Official table

The second day was as much interesting as the first one though the former was dense in communication because of the number of subjects to be discussed.

Four areas have marked this day with an audience captivated by the subject of the New Evangelization.

Who are the actors of the New Evangelisation?

Dr. Marco MOERSCHBAHER, of the Institute of Missiology of Aachen, gave the information to the audience about the experience of Cardinal Malula whose thinking led him to become aware of the place of the laity who have became responsible ministers of the new pastoral by creating grassroots communities in the ever growing Kinshasa.

As for Father Bernard Tondé, Urbaniana in Rome, he revisited the entire history of the concept of New Evangelization, he said the concept appeared in Medellin during the Conference of Bishops of Latin America, and then taken up by “Evangelii Nuntiandi” before being evoked by Pope Francis in his exhortations when he emphasizes on the importance of Christian actors.

The New Evangelization would be achieved through achieving challenges of the pastoral of the family. Professor Jean-Paul MESSINA of the Catholic University of Central Africa Yaounde, Cameroon, charted the importance of giving necessary tools, the redefinition of positive values, so that the Christian family may live its rooted faith.

ICMA’s head of research and publication and president of African theologians, Nathanael Yaovi Soede, defined the necessary basis of an African Christianity from Pope Paul VI in Kampala when he urged African men and women “to be their own missionaries “, which gave rise later to an African synod. A question that needs attention is should there be Christianity in Africa or African Christianity?

Father Ignatius Ndongala, a lecturer at Lumen Vitae in Brussels and at the University of Montreal in Canada tried to unveil the challenges and opportunities of African Churches thanks to the decentralization of the Catholic Church with which Pope Francis said to “be healthy”.

Two speakers from English speaking countries confirmed the international dimension of the symposium: Fr. Francis APPIAH-KUBI, professor at Kwame NKRUMAH University of Ghana. He helped get a glimpse of what mission for training and what training for the mission of the Church “Family of God” in Africa could be. As for Mary Sylvia NWACHUKWU, lecturer at the Spiritan International School of Théology of Enugu in Nigeria, captivated the audience with a dynamism only she has the secret, defended how necessary it is that women should participate in the formation of priests and religious so as to have psychologically balanced pastors.

What type of formation?

Father Paul BERE, professor at the Theological Institute of the Society of Jesus in Abidjan (ITCJ) discussed the “higher education requirements in Africa: What responsibilities for our Catholic Universities and Institutes?” In his presentation, he stressed the importance of serious training; that “tinkering” should stop. Africa lacks theologians, researchers and trainers who take the challenge of constantly continuing their trainings. Training facilities should agree to be evaluated to demonstrate their quality and relevance.

This day was indeed tense and rich in activities that will certainly generate debates at different level. As participants and speakers enjoyed the talks so did they enjoy the coffee break, as it was an opportunity to deepen some points and allow further discussions in the light of personal experiences.

A successful New Evangelization must take into consideration the Mission for Peace, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Islam

Researcher Mamadou Dosso of the Centre for Education and Islamic Research of Abidjan presented the following topic: “Renaissance African mission of peace and training of religions to peace.” He emphasized, the importance of religious as factors of peace in our multifaceted societies who should avoid any political collusion. Of course, religious have a say in the peace process. He refused any form of violence or death in the name of God and denounced forcefully the amalgams made by those who claim a better living through terrorism. He invited the audience to consider the importance to meet and interact in a common search for peace.

The symposium was organized in conjunction with the Catholic University of Lyon represented by Sister Marie-Hélène ROBERT, Professor of Theology and Vice President of the Francophone Association of Ecumenical Missiology. She also shared with participants her perception on the place of “Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue in the era of the New Evangelization even if it does not appear in “Evangelii Nuntiandi”. This is an explicit call to conversion and vision of our relation to other communities she said.

The phenomenon of New Communities

While questioning, the phenomenon of New Community poses some challenges. Mr. Ferdinand ANONKRE of the Catholic Community of the Living Stone and Praise in Abidjan shared the role of New Communities in the process of New Evangelization. They are a nod to the Holy Spirit to revitalize our charity. He also described the different forms in which these communities are expressed and thereby challenge people.

A busy day that will take us to consider the prospects of the New Evangelization; but this will be for the last day of the conference. Participants ended the day having good materiel to reflect about and put into practice daily. 

 

JL Théron, sma
Director of BIRD