The recently installed archbishop of Juba Archdiocese Most Rev. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla has emphasized the need for reconciliation in the country that has been experiencing war for many years in his Easter message.
“South Sudan is a broken nation. The families are broken. The ethnic communities are broken. Individual citizens are broken. This nation needs God’s intervention, and reconciliation is the only answer to this brokenness, Archbishop Stephen Ameyu stated in his Easter message addressed to all faithful people of God.”
“Reconciliation is a gift of grace from God when we request our father. It is God’s initiative to save humanity,” Archbishop Ameyu added.
The Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese who continues to serves as Apostolic Administrator of Torit Diocese has reminded the faithful the need of interior disposition for reconciliation to be realized.
“To effect reconciliation in society requires an inner radical conversion of heart. Again, conversion of heart is an act of God in the hearts of people. Therefore, to have a conversion of heart, there is need for God in the hearts of men and women in this nation,” the Archbishop said.
“Unless the power of reconciliation is created in people’s hearts, spiritual and political commitment to justice, peace and truth cannot be realized,” and continued.
- VATICAN: Caritas Upfront to Support Local Churches In The Fight Against COVID-19As the spread of Coronavirus continues globally, Pope Francis has created commission for COVID-19 to show the Church’s care for people who are affected and he has requested Caritas Internationalis to be part of the commission to work in collaboration with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD).
The commission will be headed by the leadership of DPIHD which includes, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson the prefect of the DPIHD, Fr. Bruno-Marie Duffé the Secretary and Fr. Augusto Zampini the new Deputy Secretary.
According to the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis Mr. Aloysius John, Caritas is part of the commission to help “in order to bring its knowledge and its capacity to work in the area of COVID-19.”
“We are working with the Dicastery in close collaboration in order to see how we could, through Caritas, bring the necessary support in terms of prevention and other kinds of activities in the area of COVID-19 outbreak,” the Secretary General added.
On Thursday, April 16, Caritas Internationalis launched a COVID-19 solidarity fund “which is meant to help the local Caritas offices in bringing support to the people in forms of food security, health and other basic necessities,” Mr. John explained.
The funds will be used to help curb the spread of the pandemic through various activities and with more concern to countries that are highly affected. Key areas of concern will be the health care services in areas such as prevention and control of infections, access to clean water and sanitation, procurement of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.
The fund will also be used for creating awareness and disseminating information and reinforcing community services, including ensuring food security.
“This is the time to be in solidarity not only in the fight against COVID-19 but also in supporting the work of Caritas in the different local churches in making them realize their mission with the poorest and the most vulnerable,” said Mr. John.
The commission has already begun its mission and Caritas Internationalis together with the DPIHD have started a feedback mechanism for local Churches.
Over 140 Bishops conferences have responded to a survey indicating the most urgent areas of needs and the programs already in place to deal with the spread of the pandemic.
Any help, contributions can be channeled to COVID-19 Response Fund through Caritas Internationalis’s website.
- AMECEA: A Church Not on Holiday: A Priest’s Reflection on Pastoral Care During COVID-19With the current situation of COVID-19, various institutions including schools, Churches and other public places were closed. For a Catholic priest and parishioners, the most disturbing of all has probably been the call to cancel Church worship services.
I recall one priest recently saying, “All Churches have now been closed more than thirty days. I have had many friends die during this plaque. For me, it is sad and exhausting because I am not able to minister in person to those grieving. This has never happened in my life; it is a very strange moment in history.”
Indeed, grief is engulfing the Church at different levels. For a priest, losing someone due to this pandemic and being able to hold a memorial service is a painful experience. Others are very ill, lonely and he may not be able to visit them. At socio-economic level, his parishioners are losing their jobs; children are missing the social life and stability which they enjoy in school but also at the parish. Everything is turning upside down.
But now, as a shepherd, a priest needs to do what he can to remind his flock that they are not alone. Despite the isolation imposed by social distancing measures, “thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love,” said Pope Francis in his 2020 Holy Week message.
“Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time; let us be generous. Let us help those in need in our neighborhood. Let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks. Let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty within our respective countries and in the world at large,” Pope Francis reiterated.
Taking heed to the call by the Holy Father and having consulted widely what is happening in various religious quarters of the world as they respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic, one thing is outstanding: No Church personnel is on holiday. Just as the society has changed the mode of operation, priests too, while observing physical distancing, ought to style up and remain close and relevant to their people.
Thinking about it and seeing what other priests are already doing in different parts of the world, I find the following as pastorally helpful tips to share with fellow pastoral workers and the faithful so as to keep on “being the Church,” even when activities cannot be done in the Church building.
The Priest
Despite the restrictions to physical interaction, a priest must adhere to what in normal circumstances he considers as office hours. In this our digital world, this is possible via zoom, Facebook, WhatsApp, Phone Calls or any preferred ways. Through these platforms, a priest can continue to be available to his people attend to their needs just as he does on his ordinary office day.
Another important thing in the life of a priest is praying for the Church. As a pastor, a priest must continue to offer a daily prayer or meditationfor the faithful. Their prayer intentions can be sent to him via the same platforms – WhatsApp, email or Facebook. He has to consistently invite people to send him their prayer intentions, hence staying connected with his parishioners. Let them feel that their priest is concerned about their day to day life situation.
Again, a priest has a role to play in keeping the parishioners inter-connected and engaged. In the first place, the priest himself should be connected with his leadership team but also all the medical caregivers within the parish – doctors, nurses, clinicians including phone numbers of health centres and referral hospitals in respective area.
During these difficult times, a priest must continue to promote prayer life at individual and family level. He must find ways to encourage intense and planned prayer life, use of spiritual materials and mediation on the Word of God at both individual and family level. In fact, he can also be helpful to his parishioners by giving guidance on how parents can play such as empowering each and every family member to lead prayers on specific designated days.
Necessity is the mother of creativity, they say. The same applies to pastoral workers when it comes to prayer and worship. A priest can lead in devising creative ways of worshiping and remaining spiritually and connected, while the parishioners observes physical distance.
Already, Pope Francis has shown us that it is possible for him to remain connected with the universal Church through virtual contact. Why not encourage the create a WhatsApp group or an email list where all leaders for SCCs are included? With such connectivity, a priest could encourage active participation of the members by challenging them to post status updates about Covid-19 in their SCCs.
When it comes to the observance of Sunday a priest is certainly expected to observe the day of the Lord just like any baptized person. Therefore, as a day of prayer he still must adhere to the scheduled time for Mass even though the faithful are in their respective homes. Meanwhile, he must encourage the faithful to offer masses intentions for the vulnerable individuals like the sick, aged, deceased, bereaved and let them offer Mass stipend. Also, he can organize Adoration at specific designated times for the parishioners to follow.
Physical and moral support is very important in the life of the parish. During these times, a priest must continue reminding the people of the preventative hygiene practices as directed by government and public health authorities. He must also be supportive to parishioners who are in quarantine, those on frontline such as medical doctors and nurses, but also with families when a member succumbs to death.
In the case of death and funerals, he must insist that the faithful report death of any member even if he cannot be physically present for requiem Mass. He must ask the family if they have digital videos or messages they would want to share, which can be shared on Facebook, Skype or the WhatsApp group of SCCs Leaders.
If many people are dying and in rapid succession, it may become necessary to hold memorial service for the community and have individual services in a more spaced manner as government authorities may allow or later. The most important point here is what a priest must be seen to follow up with the aggrieved and bereaved parishioners so as to encourage them.
The Lay Faithful
On their part, the laity must continue to give support to their bishops and priests. Despite the difficulty times, let the faithful not leave their pastors alone. Instead, parishioners especially those in leadership should be aware that any decisions being made by the priest during the pandemic have serious consequences on the life of the parish. Ultimately, they must do their best to support their pastor for the wellbeing of the Church and the community now and in the future.
One way the parishioners have traditionally support their pastors has been the sending in their pledges and offerings.Even though it may be something small but the faithful must continue to give their offerings, as long as they are financially able. This is a great time to consider online money transfer options such online bank transfer, Mpesa or Airtel Money.
All in all, it is important for the priest to help the faithful realize that even though the Church building is empty, water and electricity bills continue to come; and salaries for some parish workers need to be paid. The faithful ought to be aware that they are helping their Church to maintain the Church’s mission and that their commitment is need now more than ever before.
Christians in the neighborhood must be each other’s keeper. Therefore, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the lay faithful must check on their neighbors. A priest must encourage the faithful to think about the emotional, psychological and spiritual health of the vulnerable members of the Church and society within their reach: the elderly, the sick, street children, casual laborers, refugees, prisoners within the neighborhood.
Where possible they must check on one another regularly, even if it is via WhatsApp. This takes the Church out of the building, bringing the Gospel to life in practical terms. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Heb.13:1-2).
The laity too must be encouraged to pray for their Church and family. They must be encouraged to send messages or make phone calls to each other. Encourage them to be in close touch with each other and remain connected in each other’s material and spiritual needs. Encourage them to set up a charity fund to support vulnerable members affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19. This can be done either at SCC, parish and or the diocesan level. “Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously” (2 Cor. 8:2).
Even though they cannot come to Church, a priest must insist that the faithful honour Sunday which is the day of the Lord.Let them send their intercessions, prayer petitions, and even Mass intentions, with stipend attached as per Church tradition. The priest will certainly keep them in mind at Mass and other liturgical celebrations in absentia.
The Church is not on holiday
As God does not abandon us, the Church must go on with her mission even now in this challenging time. Now is the time to intensify our prayers to God and to demonstrate our love for our neighbor through Christian commitment and solidarity. “Let us draw closer to one another in our love for him, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives (USCCB, COVID-19 Prayer).
In line with the guidelines provided to us by the Holy See under the COVID-19 Task Force, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has set up a COVID-19 Response Fund (CRF).
This Fund will be housed at Citi Bank, ZEC Lenten Fund, Account Number: 0251000936.
The fund will mainly be used to prevent the spread of the disease in Zambia and give support to health facilities to respond to the pandemic.
Making the announcement on behalf of the Bishops Conference, Rt. Rev. Moses Hamungole said that the Fund will be used to support the Church programs which not only look after the sick and terminally ill, but also the elderly, people living with mental and physical disabilities, orphans and the poor in general.
“This fund will supplement the efforts government has put into place. We therefore urge our Catholic faithful and other people of good will, to heed this call and contribute generously towards this Fund,” he said.
Bishop Hamungole has also urged Zambians to put their hope in the Risen Lord who will deliver them from the power of the Coronavirus and its painful effects.
Meanwhile the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has received donation of various food stuff and hygienic materials from a local company.
he need for peace in South Sudan was the fundamental highlight in the Easter message of Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala who emphasized that after the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity early this year, the country should experience the peace they have craved for over years.
“Jesus’ first words to his Apostles after his resurrection were ‘Peace be with you’.” This is the message which should take root in our nation which is thirsty for peace more than ever,” the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Diocese said.
He acknowledged the progress taken by the South Sudanese government to appoint national ministers but described the incomplete formation of the government as delay to the advancement saying, “I appreciate the formation of the presidency and appointment of the national ministers. However, incomplete formation of government has halted progress and left people in suspense since everything seems to be at a standstill.”
“Coupled with this is the fact that, just as we were combining efforts to put in place a government of national unity, the pandemic of Coronavirus came up,” the Bishop said, making clarifications on the cause of delay to complete the formation of government of national unity and added, “We have now at hand a bigger enemy which threatens us all. That being the case, we cannot afford any further hostility.”
Recalling the objective of the nation in the past years during the struggle for independence to make South Sudan a home for all its natives, the Prelate said, “During years of struggle for independence and political freedoms, the country crafted a noble goal, namely the justice, liberty and prosperity for South Sudan.”
“Let us all work towards making this ideal a reality for every South Sudanese, for we have no other country but South Sudan where we ought to live and achieve the full potential of human aspirations,” the Bishop highlighted in the statement dated Saturday, April 11 and continued, “We all must learn to live as brothers, sisters and friends because that is what we are.”
5. UGANDA: Catholics in Uganda Encouraged to Build Families on Love and Faith Amidst COVID-19. As the Church continues to adhere to government directives to curb the spread of Covid-19 by observing social distance and avoiding mass gatherings among other guidelines, the Catholic faithful in Uganda have been urged to strengthen family bonds which need to be built on love and faith.
“We exhort you to continue building your families on the foundation of love and faith. We implore you to strengthen each other in all that you do during this moment of confinement,” Bishops stated in their Easter message signed by the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) chairman Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa.
The bishops have reminded parents and children about their role during this time when Uganda is experiencing total lockdown.
“Parents, now is even a greater opportunity for you to teach your children the faith and, by your own example of love, demonstrate to them the love of Christ for his Church and humanity. Children listen to your parents and participate in family prayer and work,” reads part of the message circulated on Easter Monday April 13.
“Together, pray for your families, for the Church, for victims of COVID- 19, for health workers, and for all persons who are contributing in different ways to bring an end to the pandemic. Allow the light and joy of the Risen Lord to shine on your families and bring you hope and blessings as you go through this trying moment. Let us make the best use of this time!” the Bishops added, urging Christians to strengthen prayer life and ask for Gods intervention.
6.ETHIOPIA: National Prayer Month Starts For Divine Intervention to Stop COVID-19
The Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE) has launched a month-long national prayer pregame in response to curbing COVID 19 pandemic.
The Ethiopian Religious Council, which draws membership from various religions in the country, launched the prayer program on April 6, 2020 and is in effect in all parts of the country. The member religions include the Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Ethiopian Catholic Church, Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and Ethiopian Kalehiwot Churches.
The religious leaders have launched the event and called up on the faithful to vigorously pray for the grace of the creator to stop the pandemic. They further urged the public to maintain prevention and control measures strictly and stay at home by limiting movement as announced by government.
Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia attended the event and has appreciated the roles of the faith leaders. She delivered her message of support and called up on the public to fight the deadly virus with discipline.
Religious leaders, senior government organizations officials, distinguished representatives of local and International organizations took part in the launching ceremony of the prayer organized by the Inter Religious Council of Ethiopia.
Malawi woke up to 2 confirmed cases of Covid-19 a couple of less than a month ago and the cases have already risen to nineteen, with 2 deaths reported. It is in these terrifying moments that the Catholic Diocese of Karonga brings spiritual and physical hope.
First it opened its radio station (Tuntufye FM) to the District Health Officials; offered free one-hour broadcasting air space to give people all the necessary preventive information. Despite this aerial combat strategy, the Diocese has foot soldiers on the ground led by the Diocesan Bishop’s Advisory Committee on COVID 19 who have distributed leaflets with messages on the Coronavirus in all prayer centres in eight parishes and two sub-parishes.
Further, the Diocese has conducted trainings of the leaders of its institutions, cooks and housekeepers of the presbyteries and convents.
Considering that prevention is not enough, the Diocese through its generous partners has purchased 12 oxygen concentration machines out of the planned 23 to assist in the event that the pandemic strikes the Diocese hard.
“These will be placed in all Catholic health facilities which include at St. Anne’s Community Hospital, Atupere, Kaseye, St. Clare in Chisenga and Hope clinic. Since the machines will need electric power and we can not rely on the national grid which rations electricity according to its load shedding schedules, we have also procured power generators.” Explains Mr. Mwawi Shaba, Caritas Secretary and Chairperson on the Advisory Committee on COVID 19 in the Diocese.
Earlier, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka the bishop of Karonga Diocese, shared this news of hope on the diocesan radio where he also indicated that an ambulance has been set aside to be equipped with state-of-the-art health equipment to assist in rushing patients who will need immediate medical attention from a referral hospital.
“We are not bragging about this, and we can not pretend to have the best equipment because bigger and better hospitals are in Europe, United States of America (USA) and Asia but even there the pandemic is still causing problems. We are only trying to do what we can…” said Bishop Mtumbuka in the radio special programme.
He further expressed his gratitude to the donor partners in USA and Germany who have assisted in this project with funds amounting to approximately US $95,000.
Currently, Malawi Government has sanctioned a 21-day lockdown from the mid-night of 18th of April to 9th of May, subject to extension depending on the situation.
7. German bishops criticize decision to maintain church service ban. BONN, Germany — Catholic and Protestant churches in Germany have responded differently to the federal government’s decision not to lift the ban on public church services.
The Catholic German bishops’ conference voiced disappointment at Chancellor Angela Merkel’s announcement April 15, while the Protestant Church in Germany — a federation of the Lutheran, Reformed and United churches — stressed its support for the government’s measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA.
After talks with regional government leaders, Merkel said the ban on public church services should remain until further notice, while thousands of shops were being allowed to reopen.
She also announced that a state secretary of the interior ministry would talk with religious communities about the future of public services. Catholic and Protestant leaders were to meet with government officials April 17, and religious representatives said they would propose ways to practice religion while safeguarding worshippers from infection, KNA reported.
Speaking in Bonn April 15, Bishop Georg Batzing, president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference, said he could not understand why the ban should remain in place while restrictions were being eased in other parts of public life, especially given a recent decision by the Federal Constitutional Court on the matter. The court had ruled that the ban constituted a serious encroachment on the fundamental right to religious freedom and should therefore be reviewed continuously.
Bishop Batzing added that Easter had shown that church services gave millions of people guidance and support in the difficult circumstances caused by the coronavirus crisis. He said the ban was a major impediment to the freedom of religious practice.
Separately, he told the newspaper Die Welt April 16 that he could speak for the Catholic Church in stating that it would be able to stick to
8.AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE – A mission attacked in the province of Capo Delgado
Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – Jihadist terrorist groups operating in the northern province of Cabo Delgado murdered 5 people in the Quirimbas archipelago on Good Friday, April 10, according to the newspaper “Carta de Mocambique”. The jiihadists, passed off as civilians, transported small boats from the mainland to the archipelago, about seven kilometers away, on Thursday 2 April.
They took a stand on the island of Quirimba on Thursday evening and launched their murderous attack on Friday morning. Of the five people killed, three drowned while trying to escape. One of the victims was burned alive, while the fifth was killed by gunfire. About 60 people were taken hostage, but released later in the day. Insurgents attacked the local primary school, a health center, the official residence of the head of the Quirimba administrative office and destroyed an unspecified number of houses of the local population.
Further details emerged about last week’s attacks on the Muidumbe district. In the village of Muambula, terrorists killed five people and vandalized the local secondary school and the mission in Nangololo, which includes one of the oldest churches in Cabo Delgado.
According to His Exc. Mgr. Luíz Fernando Lisboa, Bishop of Pemba, the missionaries’ homes were destroyed and the church suffered damage. The missionaries managed to take refuge in Pemba. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides.