Here at the Generalate, our two communities have decided to join together for a special time of prayer before and during the Copenhagen Conference on climate Change…

THE CONPENHAGEN CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
December 7 – 18 

Here at the Generalate, our two communities have decided to join together for a special time of prayer before and during the Copenhagen Conference on climate Change…

We do this because we care about this beautiful planet that God has given us, and as women inspired by the Gospel and by  our Corporate Commitment:  

Moved by our passion for God’s reign, to discern the calls of the Spirit in the signs of the times, especially:(…)

by being alert to all that destroys and  threatens the life of our planet, to work as a body, in close collaboration with the members of our Family and with others  to ensure sustainability

by taking action, locally and globally, for the transformation of situations and structures that hinder communion.

If you have access to the internet, there is so much information available  on theCopenhagen Conference…  What follows is a bare minimum:

“In 2012 the Kyoto Protocol to prevent climate changes and global warming runs out. There is an urgent need for a new climate protocol. At the conference in Copenhagen 2009 the parties of the UNFCCC meet for the last time on government level before the climate agreement needs to be renewed.

Therefore the Climate Conference inCopenhagen is essential for the world’s climate. The Danish government and UNFCCC is putting hard effort in making the meeting in Copenhagen a success ending up with a Copenhagen Protocol to prevent global warming and climate changes.

Governmental representatives from 170 countries are expected to be inCopenhagen in the days of the conference accompanied by other governmental representatives, NGO’s, journalists and others. In total 8000 people are expected inCopenhagen in the days of the climate meeting”
 

Drought.China
 

We invite you to pray along with us?  As individuals, as communities, as groups of Associates… as Family?

Early 2009, it has been discovered that Lesotho is the 2nd country in the World having high rate of children born with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS IS STILL A PANDEMIC
IN LESOTHO DUE TO POVERTY

Early 2009, it has been discovered that Lesotho is the 2nd country in the World having high rate of children born with HIV/AIDS.Projects have begun to mobilize all pregnant Women to test for HIV/AIDS and there is an access for treatment if needed.
In 2007 church leaders met at the United Nations House in Maseru to discuss the role of the church in addressing HIV and AIDS. During this meeting, it was unanimously agreed that the church must join together in the fight against the disease.  It was also recognized that the church and church leaders have a substantial role to play in guiding our congregations and preventing the further spread of HIV across the country.
At the end of this initial meeting, the church leaders decided that we needed to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination, address cultural divides, and promote morality, and use existing structures and build-up current HIV related programs. Subsequently, a “Statement of Commitment” was drafted and reviewed by the church leaders that would fully commit ourselves to the fight against HIV and AIDS.  The “Statement of Commitment” called on all church leaders to:

Promote the dignity, equality, and rights of all people, especially those living with HIV;
Discuss openly and accurately the basic facts about HIV and AIDS ;
Work to eliminate the root causes of the AIDS pandemic; and
Overcome silence, stigma, discrimination, denial, and fear regarding AIDS.

The church recognizes that the information and discussion topics must be relevant not only to Lesotho, but also target the various age groups within our congregations.
In recognition of this need, the church leaders decided to develop the Sunday Pack. This information material was launched during World AIDS Day in December 2007, [this] Sunday Pack was presented and distributed to church leaders as a tool for pastors and priests to present topics relating to HIV and AIDS.  The Sunday Pack covers a wide range of topics and offers church leaders references to scripture, relevant facts on various issues, real life situations, discussion points, and references to the church leader’s “Statement of Commitment.” 

With funding from the United States Government and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, the church and members of its Advisory Committee developed the “Faith-based HIV Prevention Campaign.”  The goal of this Campaign is to “Reduce the risk of HIV exposure in Lesotho” through the development of a training programs and messages focusing on the main nationally recognized drivers of HIV in Lesotho, including, 1) multiple and concurrent partnerships, 2) trans-generational sex, and 3) early sexual debut.
To complement the Churches commitment to initiate a faith based response to HIV epidemic in the country CRS and the LCBC, with generous support from UNICEF developed yet another innovative project called HIV Education, for Adolescents Response, Motivation and Empowerment-also known as HEAR ME project. This project not only promotes environment for reducing the risk of HIV among the adolescents in Lesotho, it also aims at addressing the issues related to gender based violence in the community.
The church has a major role to play with regard to HIV and Gender based violence by promoting a moral, just, and loving society that is committed to the service of man and the establishment of strong family values. 
HOLY FAMILY SISTERS RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS IN LESOTHO.
Closely working with Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, One sister is delegated to Coordinate 50 Catholic health Centres and four Hospitals Moreover all the projects working on HIV/AIDS in Lesotho Catholic Bishops are under her supervision.
The other one is   delegated to be part of staff working on HEAR ME PROJECT. The target group of this project is the Adolescents therefore it is implemented in 285 Catholic schools from children of 10 years to youth of 25 years.
Trainings of HIV/AIDS prevention have been made in different schools and clubs have been organized, due to final examinations in schools trainings will be stopped until the beginning of the year 2010.

These  services provided at our six  Holy Family Health Centres  

Counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS

Providing ARV`S

Follow up for those on treatment

Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission. Through Mothers to Mothers

Support groups for those living with HIV/AIDS

Provision of cooked food for those on TB and HIV/AIDS treatment

Out Patients and Under five Children

These tasks mentioned above seemed not enough therefore the Congregation decided to have a project where all HIV/AIDS victims will be well cared for and where they will be trained on how to improve their spiritual and economical lives. This health Centre is not yet completed, it will be opened soon.
CHALLENGES:
The unfortunate part is that the unaffected people wish to be infected in order to receive food parcels from the Government.  This is due to porverty.
Young people fall in to the trap of prostitution due to porverty.
The orphans are taken as a chance for the abuse and also these children have take care of themselves.
No medications in the clinics because of  many people with opportunistic diseases / infections.

In 1999, the UN General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime – with the abuser usually someone known to her.Women’s activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. The date commemorates the brutal assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, in 1960 on orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/elimination_vaw/en/index.html

Violence against women
Key facts:

Violence against women is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights.

Lack of access to education and opportunity, and low social status in communities are linked to violence against women.

Violence by an intimate partner is one of the most common forms of violence against women.

A wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive, and maternal health problems can result from violence against women.

Many women do not seek help or report violence when it occurs.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/index.html
Action in support of Women:
A SIGN OF HOPE
The “Nid” (Nest in English) is an organisation whose members actively go out to meet women who are working on the streets.  The organisation acts out of deeply rooted beliefs and a profound sense of the importance of their work. 
Marie Jose has been working with the “Nid” for the past 5 years and meets and welcomes these women in their places of work. 
The following are some of the movement’s deepest convictions.  We wish to affirm:

That prostitution is a permanent violation of human rights and wounds the dignity and freedom of individuals; it is not “a necessary evil”, an inevitable fact of life nor a trade or a way of earning one’s living.  No one is born a prostitute, a client of prostitutes or a pimp. 
That prostitution is an exploitation of individuals who are in distress and is a symptom of the inequalities that exist in our world and the fragility and distress of peoples. 
That in a world where prostitution degrades people, the “Nid” offers a sign of hope, inviting us to believe that the world can be transformed by a commitment to a process of humanisation of the structures of our society. 
That prostitution is a form of human trafficking that considers the human body as a sexual object that can be bought and sold like merchandise. 

Given these convictions, I would like to share with you something of my experience in my work with the “Nid”.  As I go out to meet with these women in their places of work, either in the afternoon or in the evening, I prepare my heart so that I can bring to them the loving presence of Christ.  My encounters with them are characterised by respect and love. 
We always go out in pairs and we approach them in a very simple way, telling them our first names and who we are.  Generally speaking, we are warmly welcomed.  They tell us their first names, where they come from and how long they have been there.  We listen attentively to what they say. 
However at the present time we come up against a language barrier since the majority of the women are foreigners who have come from Africa: Sierra-Leone or Nigeria where English is spoken.  They also come from Cameroon or from Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Albania.     

Apart from women from Cameroon who for the most part are aged between 40 and 50 years and two or three French women who receive clients in lorries, the women that we meet on the streets are generally young.   We feel very helpless and ill equipped to help them to get out of this dreadful situation.  We invite them to come to the refuge that we have set up but they do not come.  They tell us that they would like to be able to do something else but that they are caught up in an entire network.  They stay in one place for about three months and they then move on to another city.  There is quite a turnover of women.  Usually when we approach them, their mobile phones ring – obviously they are being watched.  They always welcome us and thank us for coming and some even embrace us on saying goodbye.  This winter one woman from the Cameroon invited us into the vehicle that she was working in to talk to us about her problems of money and housing. 
How do they get to France? In their countries of origin where conditions are extremely difficult, they meet people who promise them employment in Western Europe.  They are told that they will earn large sums of money.  These people present themselves as benefactors.  They organise all the details of the journey, providing false papers and transport and the women are then delivered up into a network operated by pimps.  This is each woman’s painful story.  Not one of them has made the choice to be a prostitute.  The women are caught in a trap and cannot escape.  Very occasionally one or two are saved.  They approach the police and report the existence of the trafficking network but usually it is very difficult.  When this happens we undertake to protect them and we help them to find housing and work.  .
Our work is voluntary; we meet the women with empty hands but also with great respect and love.
Martine prayed the following prayer at a team meeting:
 « Thank you Lord for your light and help, for having given meaning to our lives.  Thank you for showing us the way, for enlightening the earth and all creation, for enabling us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Give us strength to work to free people so that they will no longer be objects exploited for profit, so that they will no longer be humiliated and sullied by traffickers in human beings. 
Thank you Lord for having forgiven us when we have not appreciated your beautiful gifts.  Thank you Lord for not abandoning us, for having placed in our paths exceptional people who mediate your love to us. 
Thank you Lord for being there on our pavements with those who may be rejected by the world but not by you.  Thank you Lord for the members of the “Nid” who challenge us to reach out to others.  Thanks to them I realise that I do have the courage to reach out my hand to others instead of closing myself up in my own concerns.  ….. »

Here we would like to share something of the last formation meeting of Holy Family group leaders, which took place in La Carolina (Jaen) from the 25th to the 27th September.

Here we would like to share something of the last formation meeting of Holy Family group leaders, which took place in La Carolina (Jaen) from the 25th to the 27th September.  This meeting was the first of three, which we had programmed for leaders of Holy Family groups:
. Jesus of Nazareth. First Christian Communities. Witnesses in the world today.

My first experiences in La Carolina.
When I first arrived in this town, I quickly got to know a little bit about what was happening; this included a Meeting of Holy Family Group Leaders.  The organisers of the meetings invited me to come and participate in the meeting.  At the time I felt a bit reluctant thinking that this “wasn’t for me”.  Meetings with young people at my age!  However I accepted.  I thought it would be pleasant to spend a day with Jesus of Nazareth, the Jesus of history and then move on to the Christ of faith.  So I attended the day. In order to identify ourselves better with the Jesus of history, we were invited to dress like the people of the time.  For the men this meant putting on the Talit at prayer times, choosing a Hebrew name and using that name throughout the whole weekend.  A very lovely and original idea!  This was the welcome that I experienced. 
On the following day we began the day by praying the “Our Father”.  It was explained to us that this prayer had a particular resonance for Jesus and we prayed it in Aramaic just as Jesus did!  In order to get to know the historical Jesus, we looked at the history, the place and the period in which Jesus lived.  To do this we got into groups and we studied the places where Jesus lived and worked during his life, from his birth right up to the resurrection.  We looked at: the political situation, the religious structures, and social groups including women, children, different sects and movements.  We did all this in a relaxed way and in a festive but at the same time, serious atmosphere.   (At time I almost felt I was actually there in the places we were talking about)  In the evening we tried to recognise the Jesus of history in the Christ of Faith, true God and true man.  Afterwards we reflected on some themes such as: Who is Jesus for me? Who do people say that I am?   We reflected on the meaning of the reign of God, the filial attitude of Jesus towards the Father, (for Jesus, God is Abba) and finally the need to share and live our faith in community.  The reflection was deep and was very fruitful for all.  Just as Jesus confided his work and his project to the disciples, so too the Good Father at the end of his life confided to all the members of the Holy Family the mission of extending the reign of God Alone following the example of Jesus Mary and Joseph.
The day ended with a paschal meal.  We tried to place ourselves within the culture of the time, which was a difficult task in spite of the fact that we are living in a Mediterranean culture. We prepared the meal very carefully, with the lamb, bitter herbs, the prayers, the chalice, the necessary rites…all that was necessary to create the right environment for a Jewish Passover mealI felt very happy to have participated in this meeting; I forgot my fears and I thanked God for the experience and for having been invited to participate in this celebration.
Teo, from the community of La Carolina (Jaén)
Now let us listen to what Tomas, a participant from Malaga experienced.It is difficult to express in words all that I felt during this weekend.  All the experiences were formative and enriched our work as leaders of Holy Family groups.  We worked together in a very relaxed way and the day-to-day activities were not in the least monotonous. 
Personally I was engaged in lots of activities during the day – activities that left me with very little time for myself.  But, during the meeting, I really wanted to dedicate a little time to God and to myself so as to grow in my relationship with God and to value that relationship more.
Perhaps the formation was not totally what I wanted or expected but nevertheless I was very glad to have it and when the weekend ended I was extremely tired but satisfied.  I felt that I understood a little bit more the person of Jesus Christ and as a consequence I felt stronger in my faith.  Very often we Christians can feel rather weak because we are not sufficiently knowledgeable or committed and we are unable to defend ourselves when we are challenged.  This experience,  shared in this humble house with brothers and sisters that I barely know was life-giving.  I came to a greater understanding of the historical, social and religious background to the life of Jesus and as a result I have grown in faith and my life has taken on a new meaning.  
To sum up, the experience has been invaluable in form and content and what we learned will always remain with us.  From this small seed a huge tree will grow – a tree that will give fruit in the children that we are accompanying in these groups.  This is the mission that God has given us: “ Let the little children come unto me”.  I look forward to seeing you all in Malaga in October.  I have had an unforgettable weekend.  Peace to all.  
Tomas Sanchez de los Rios, Holy Family Group Leader in Malaga
 

On October 24, 1984, three Holy Family Sisters arrived in the Philippines. The mission of Murine FERNANDO, Olivia JOSEPH and Anne-Marie O’BOYLE was to establish a community in the Diocese of Sorsogon (Southern Luzon).
25 YEARS CELEBRATION IN PHILIPPINES
On October 24, 1984, three Holy Family Sisters arrived in the Philippines. The mission of Murine FERNANDO, Olivia JOSEPH and Anne-Marie O’BOYLE was to establish a community in the Diocese of Sorsogon  (Southern Luzon).  

Click here for more photos

Twenty five years later, on October 24, 2009,  it was time to celebrate!

The Sisters are still not so numerous, (only 11),  but the novices, pre-novices and aspirants bring  hope.  There are four small communities, in three Dioceses, and now a much bigger Family. With the lay and priest Associates the Holy Family presence has grown over the years. The roots have gone deep, and peoples’ lives have changed. God’s gift and grace worked through the gifts, as well as the weakness and fragility of those who have participated in the mission.  In all humility, it can be said that the Holy Family has made a  difference…

This “difference” was very evident  on the day of the Jubilee: visitors and guests came from far and wide to join the celebration. Sr.Kumudinie Dassanayake represented the General Leadership Team, and three former missionaries were also present, including Anne-Marie, one of the “pioneers”.   The Barrio Church of St. John the Baptist  was full to overflowing for the Eucharist; the Bishop of Sorsogon, Arturo Bastes, SVD,  was the chief of  7 concelebrants, among whom were three Priest Associates and Fr. Franklin San Juan, the Parish Priest who welcomed the Srs. to their first community in Rizal, Gubat, Sorsogon.

The help of the Lay Associates in the preparation of the occasion was evident everywhere:  in the decorations, the hospitality, and not least in the catering for the celebration lunch! It was truly a “family day”, a day of gratitude, of  praise and thanks to God, of recognition of the bonds of communion and friendship that have been formed over the years.  As Sr. Margaret Muldoon (Superior General)  said in her Jubilee Message:
“A journey back to our origins and forward to today helps us to be more aware of where we came from and where we are going… we need to know our story in order to live with creative fidelity in the reality of today. It is a reminder that we build on the lives of those who have gone before us and that we, in our turn, hand on the torch to the next generation. All who were part of the Holy Family story in the Delegation are part of the tradition; each one’s unique contribution has enriched that tradition. As we celebrate this Jubilee we do so with appreciation for the contributions made by all the Sisters and the Lay and priest Associates who, living the same mission, are part of the Holy Family journey in this land.”
Eithne Hughes.

For the Sisters of the Holy Family, this road in Latin America started 100 years ago when the Sisters arrived in Brazil and then in the 1960s they came to Paraguay and later to Argentina and Peru.
 Welcome to REDINFO SFBLATIN AMERICA, the new Holy Family communications bulletin!

I like to think of life as a road that we walk along in time and in a determined space; a road that takes us through different terrains; where there are other intersecting roads with places to rest and recoup energy, to take decisions and risks; a road where one can make friends and share dreams, projects and challenges; a road where one meets God who walks along with us. 

For the Sisters of the Holy Family, this road in Latin America started 100 years ago when the Sisters arrived in Brazil and then in the 1960s they came to Paraguay and later to Argentina and Peru.  They were realising the Founder’s dream to extend and strengthen the faith in all milieus, in all countries, living as did Jesus Mary and Joseph with generous commitment and keeping their eyes fixed on God Alone.

Throughout these 100 years, society has changed a great deal.  The Church and Religious Life have changed also and the Sisters of the Holy Family have naturally been affected by these changes.  We have been affected in the way we interpret our Charism, the way we live community life, in our apostolic and missionary work and in our structures of government.  The most recent change is the one that has just taken place – replacing the structure of Province and Delegations with a new organisation “Holy Family Latin American Network”.

We all know that changes in mentality do not take place overnight; rather it is a process.  To my mind, this process began some twenty-five years ago when the councils and the formation teams of the different entities began to work together.  Then we had a common novitiate and joint international meetings of the junior professed.  In these meetings we shared our dreams, ideals and thoughts.

Given these events and in union with the general orientations of the congregation, there arose the need to form a different structure of government for the animation of the life of the Sisters and the communities.  This process meant that we expressed our wishes to one another, asked one another for our personal opinions, asked the opinions of the communities and the Provincial and Delegation Assemblies, representatives of the communities and the councils of the four countries.  Margaret and the General Council also gave their views and all this resulted in the present structure: “Holy Family Latin American Network”.

Then came the consultation for the Network’s Council and the nomination of the council inResistencia, Argentina.

From then on the new Council began its task of restructuring the method of participation and how we were to carry out our mission implementing the orientations of the General Chapter of 2008.  Consultations, proposals, easy and difficult decisions to be taken, demand the participation of everyone and the setting up of different teams.

All these changes require renunciations, deaths to much loved ways of doing things that have given us security in the past.  But, to quote the Gospel: “unless the grain of wheat dies ….if it dies it will yield much fruit”.  One of the deaths required is to give up our individual, Province or Delegation – based news bulletins and have one for the whole network.   And this is how the REDINFO SFB was born.  In this bulletin we gather together all the contributions that are sent to us; in each one we can see great life and experience, events that give us joy and encourage us and sad events that cause us suffering and challenge us to defend life in all its forms because we believe and we dream of a “new world where we can live the spirit of Family in communion with Trinitarian Love”.

“We wish to share our experience of preparing for our final profession with all the members of the great Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles.

FOUR SISTERS FROM THE CONGO PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL PROFESSION 

Here the sisters share their feelings with us as they begin this important stage in their lives.
“We wish to share our experience of preparing for our final profession with all the members of the great Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles.   After receiving the letter from the General Council giving us permission to make final vows, we: Sisters Marie Claire Kabanga, Claudine Gayongo, Eugénie Kayibo y Lydie Mbinza began our six months preparation.  This crucial period of our religious life began on 11 July this year and will end in the month of December.  We will celebrate our profession on the feast of the Holy Family. 
During this time we will deepen our awareness of ourselves; we will come closer to God and study in depth the meaning of our commitment in the family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles
In order to help us gain our objectives, the Delegation of the Congo has organised different sessions.  We participated in an inter-congregational session in the Spirituality Centre of Kipalu/Kikwit in the province of Bandundu.  There were 25 participants from 7 different congregations.   
In the Holy Family sessions, we studied several themes such as: our personal and cultural identity, accompaniment, Holy Family charism, zeal and responsibility for the mission, the evangelical counsels, the large Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, Holy Family Community Life, the place of Mary in our consecrated life.  
As we have already said, our formation is short.  Nevertheless, we are very touched to have this opportunity and to be able to profit from this time of renewal.  The different exchanges and the shared experiences have been very enriching and we have greatly benefited from them.   
Everything we are learning will be of great benefit to us; we are proud and happy to see that most of the conferences are given by our sisters of the Delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The legacy left to us by Pierre Bienvenu Noailles is being transmitted from generation to generation through his daughters. 
We thank Sister Margaret and the General Council.  We also thank Sister Yvette and her council who have shown confidence in us by accepting us for final profession and offering such a wonderfully rich experience to us. 
We ask you all to support us with your prayers”.
Sisters: Marie-Claire, Claudine, Eugénie et Lydie

Our sisters lived in Orta di Atella in the past. As you are about to read here, the sisters are very much loved by the people and they asked them to return.

A NEW COMMUNITY
IN ORTA DI ATELLA

The word new is not the best word to describe this community since our sisters lived in Orta di Atella in the past.  As you are about to read here, the sisters are very much loved by the people of this town and for many years the people remembered them with affection and were so grateful to them for the mission they had carried out in the past that they asked them to return.  In a letter to the Council of the Network, the parish priest of the town asked if the sisters could return.  He wrote:  “ This place is mission territory.  Your sisters during their short stay here began an important mission and were witnesses to the Gospel through their simple but effective lifestyle. The people remember their kindness, their ability to listen, their commitment to accompany individuals and families, their excellent preparation, and their deep spirituality.  The people ask again and again for the sisters’ return.”  Our sisters are in the parish of San Massimo, which has about 22.000 inhabitants.  According to recent predictions, growth of between 9 and 15 thousand inhabitants is expected, judging by the houses that are being built.  Among the inhabitants there is a notable percentage (10%) of Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Jehovah witnesses and Muslims.   This community is poor in every sense of the word, morally as well as economically.  Social welfare is available but this has not helped to promote people or restore their dignity to them.  There is a lot of unhappiness in families because of the tension caused by alcoholism and drug addiction.There are different possibilities for the sisters’ apostolate: accompanying families, especially in the new housing estates, working in counselling centres and work with the youth.  The parish priest ends his letter by saying:“The people here with their priest desire the presence of the sisters.  They remember them with nostalgia and need them.  They wish the sisters to come and they are prepared to do everything necessary to ensure their evangelising presence among themOn the arrival of the sisters, there was a Mass followed by a feast to celebrate their arrival.  Later, we hope to bring you more news of the beginnings of this community.

The Synod of Bishops for Africa is taking place at the present time in Rome. It began on October 4 and will finish on the 25th of the same month.

SYNOD OF BISHOPS
FOR AFRICA

The Synod of Bishops for Africa is taking place at the present time in Rome.  It began on October 4 and will finish on the 25th of the same month.  A large number of men and women religious were present at the opening ceremony.  Marie Pierre Otiba from the General community was there.  She was a member of the choir, which sang at the opening Mass and, during the ceremony, she danced with other sisters from different African countries. 
Until the 25 October, 244 prelates from all over the world, 197 of them African, a number of experts and invited guests making up a total of 400 participants, will discuss the mission of the Church and the problems of the continent under the title: “The Church in Africa at the service of reconciliation, justice and peace.  You are salt of the earth; you are the light of the world”.  This synod is focused on a continent where Catholics have increased in number from 55 millions in 1978 to 164 millions in 2007
During the Mass which opened the second synod of Bishops for Africa, 15 years after the first synod, Pope Benedict XVI defined the African continent as the spiritual “lung” of the world.”When we speak of the treasures of Africa, we immediately think of natural resources, the riches of the land, which unfortunately have been, and continue to be exploited resulting in conflict and corruption”.  The Pope continued.  “Africa represents an immense spiritual lung for humanity which is suffering a crisis of faith and hope.  But this lung can also fall ill”. 
The Bishop of Rome warned that two illnesses are threatening the African continent at this moment:  one is the danger of religious fundamentalism and the other is materialism.  (Yahoo – News)
The whole Church participates in this important event at different levels and in different ways.  Different organisations have arranged conferences on diverse themes related to the Synod. 
The words spoken by Father Agbonkhianmeghe E.Orobator, S.J. from Kenya, at the beginning of one of his conferences, give us a good idea of the theme and the objectives of the Synod. 
“The Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, announces a theme which is closely linked to the difficult situation experienced by Africa today at the socio-political, cultural, religious and economic levels: reconciliation, justice and peace. The emphasis of the Synod on this theme represents a “kairos” (moment of grace) for the Church and the continent.   Wherever we look we realise that Africa aspires to reconciliation, justice and peace; from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Somalia; from Darfur (Sudan), destroyed by war to the region of the Niger Delta or Nigeria; the cry for reconciliation is heard in divided communities; the demand for justice comes from millions of refugees, people displaced within their own countries.  Millions of people affected by war and conflict long for peace.  These echoes from the Continent provide the structure through which we consider the theme of this Synod”

World Mission Day will be celebrated this year on Sunday, October 18, with the theme: “The nations will walk in its light.”

World Mission Day will be celebrated this year on Sunday, October 18, with the theme:
“The nations will walk in its light.”
Pope Benedict’s message for the 83rd World Mission Day was made public on Saturday, September 5. The Holy Father reminds Catholics in his message that evangelization is the essential mission of the Church and that they should do all that they can to support the missions.The message, published in six languages, bears the date of June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVIFOR THE 2009 WORLD MISSION DAY
“The nations will come to its light” (Rev 21, 24)
On this Sunday, dedicated to the missions, I address first of all you, my brothers in the episcopal and the priestly ministry, and then you, my brothers and sisters, the whole People of God, to encourage in each one of you deeper awareness of Christ’s missionary mandate to “make disciples of all peoples” (Mt 28, 19), in the footsteps of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the nations”The nations will come to its light” ” (Rev 21,24). The goal of the Church’s mission is to illuminate with the light of the Gospel all peoples journeying through history towards God, so that in Him they may be fully realised and accomplished. We must live the longing and the passion to illuminate all peoples with the light of Christ, that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family, under God’s loving fatherhood. It is in this perspective that the disciples of Christ spread throughout the world work, struggle and groan under the burden of suffering, offering their very lives. Let us once again proclaim strongly what was so frequently affirmed by my venerated Predecessors: the Church works not to extend power or affirm dominion, but to carry, to all, Christ, the salvation of the world. We ask nothing except to put ourselves at the service of all humanity, especially the suffering and the excluded, because we believe that ” the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today… is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity” (Evangelii nuntiandi, 1), which ” has experienced marvellous achievements but which seems to have lost its sense of ultimate realities and of existence itself” (Redemptoris missio, 2).
1. All Peoples are called to salvationIn truth, the whole of humanity has the radical vocation to return to its source, to return to God, since in Him alone can it find accomplishment through the restoration of all things in Christ. Dispersion, multiplicity, conflict, enmity will be calmed and reconciled through the blood of the Cross and led back to unity. This new beginning has already started with the Resurrection and the exaltation of Christ, who draws all things to himself, renewing them and enabling them to share in the eternal joy of God. The future of the new creation shines already in our world and, despite contradictions and suffering, kindles hope for new life. The Church’s mission is to “infect” all peoples with hope. This is why Christ calls, sanctifies and sends his disciples to announce the Kingdom of God, so that all nations may become the people of God. It is only in this mission that the true journey of humanity is understood and attested. The universal mission should become a fundamental constant in the life of the Church. To announce the Gospel must be for us, as it was for the Apostle Paul, a primary and impelling duty.
2. The pilgrim ChurchThe universal Church which knows neither borders nor frontiers, feels responsible for announcing the Gospel to whole peoples (cfr Evangelii nuntiandi, 53). It is the duty of the Church, seed of hope by vocation, to continue Christ’s service in the world. The measure of her mission and her service is not material or even spiritual needs restricted to temporal existence, instead, it is transcendent salvation, fulfilled in the Kingdom of God (cfr Evangelii nuntiandi, 27). This Kingdom, although eschatological in its completeness and not of this world (cfr Gv 18,36), is, in this world and in its history, a force for justice and peace, for true freedom and respect for the dignity of every human person. The Church wishes to transform the world with the proclamation of the Gospel of love, ” that can always illuminates a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working… and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world ” (Deus caritas est, 39). It is to this mission and to this service, that I call, also with this Message, all the members and institutions of the Church to participate.
3. Missio ad gentesThe mission of the Church, therefore, is to call all peoples to the salvation accomplished by God through his incarnate Son. It is therefore necessary to renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel which is leaven of freedom and progress, brotherhood, unity and peace (cfr Ad gentes, 8). I would ” confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church ” (Evangelii nuntiandi, 14), a duty and a mission which the widespread and profound changes in present day society render ever more urgent. At stake is the eternal salvation of all people, the goal and the accomplishment of human history and the universe. Animated and inspired by the Apostle of the nations, we must realise that God has a numerous people in all the cities visited by the apostles of today (cfr Acts 18, 10). In fact “The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God is calling to himself” (Acts 2,39). The whole Church must be committed to missio ad gentes, until the salvific sovereignty of Christ is fully accomplished: “At present, it is true, we are not able to see that all things are under him” (Heb 2,8).
4. Called to evangelise also through martyrdomOn this day dedicated to the missions, I recall in prayer those who made their lives exclusive consecration to the work of evangelisation. I mention especially those local Churches and those missionaries who bear witness to and spread the Kingdom of God in situations of persecution, with various forms of oppression ranging from social discrimination to prison, torture and death. No small number of them are put to death for the sake of his “Name”. Still tremendously relevant today are the words of my venerated Predecessor, Pope John Paul II: ” The Jubilee remembrance has presented us with a surprising vista, showing us that our own time is particularly prolific in witnesses, who in different ways were able to live the Gospel in the midst of hostility and persecution, often to the point of the supreme test of shedding their blood. ” (Novo millennio ineunte, apostolic letter 41). Participation in the mission of Christ, in fact, affects also the life of those who announce the Gospel, for whom is reserved the same destiny as their Master. “Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too” (Jn 15,20). The Church walks the same path and suffers the same destiny as Christ, since she acts not on the basis of any human logic or relying on her own strength, but instead she follows the way of the Cross, becoming, in filial obedience to the Father, a witness and a travelling companion for all humanity. I remind old Churches and those more recently founded that they have been placed by the Lord to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and called to spread Christ, the Light of the nations, to the far corners of the earth. Missio ad gentes must be a priority in pastoral programmes. To the Pontifical Mission Societies goes my gratitude and my encouragement for their indispensable service of promoting missionary animation and formation and material help for young Churches. Through the Pontifical Institutions communion among the Churches is admirably achieved with exchange of gifts, reciprocal concern and common missionary programming.
5. ConclusionMissionary impulse has always been a sign of the vitality of our Churches (cfr Redemptoris missio 2) . Nevertheless it is necessary to reaffirm that evangelisation is primarily the work of the Spirit and that before being action it is witness and irradiation of the light of Christ (cfr Redemptoris missio 26 ) on the part of the local Church, which sends her own missionary men and women beyond her frontiers. I therefore ask all Catholics to pray that the Holy Spirit will intensify the Church’s passion for the mission to spread the Kingdom of God and to support missionaries and Christian communities involved in mission, in front line, often in situations of hostility and persecution. At the same time I ask everyone to offer as a credible sign of communion among the Churches, financial assistance, especially in these times of crisis affecting all humanity, to help the young Churches be in the condition to illuminate the nations with the Gospel of charity. May we be guided in our missionary activity by the Blessed Virgin Mary, star of New Evangelisation, who brought Christ into the world to be the light of the nations and to carry salvation “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13,47).
Upon all I impart my Blessing.From the Vatican, 29 June, 2009Benedictus XVI