In his Motu Proprio, “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (7 May 2019), Pope Francis declares that abuses of whatever kind committed against minors and vulnerable people inflict “physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful.”
By Magdalene Kahiu, ACI Africa
Members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Africa have, through their leadership, sought to encourage the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, saying being vaccinated is part of the Christian “duty do care.”
In his Wednesday, March 31 report, the Coordinator of the Africa Task Force of the Vatican Commission on COVID-19, Jesuit Fr. Charles Chilufya says that some members of the Society who received the vaccine the previous day at the Jamma Mission Hospital in Kenya’s Archdiocese of Nairobi encourage others to participate in the vaccination program.
Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ has sent the following video greeting to all the Jesuits and their partners in mission of the Southern Africa Province.
Dear Friends in the Lord, companions of the new Southern Africa Province,
As you inaugurate the new Jesuit Province of Southern Africa under less-than ideal circumstances, I would like to join you virtually with a message of encouragement and hope.
In a letter to the Jesuits, the Major Superior designate Fr. Leonard Chiti, SJ, of the yet to be inaugurated Southern Africa Province, invited local communities to join in the celebration slated for March 25, 2021. The letter read in part, “… owing to the pandemic and the governmental restrictions which prohibit large gatherings, I invite all local communities to gather at 17h30 on Thursday, 25 March 2021 in their local communities and to participate – as communally as possible, though where this is not possible to at least participate in some way, in the virtual Mass where the Decree of Erection of the Southern African Province will be read”.
One year after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Superiors General of religious congregations at the service of the most fragile people give thanks to God for the generosity with which so many of their members have given their commitment, energy, and even their lives to care for those affected by the insidious virus. Moreover, with confidence in Divine Mercy, they entrust to the Lord the religious men and women who, struck by the virus, have ended their earthly days, at times in painful “solitude”, but always accompanied by the affection, prayer and closeness of their religious families. Sharing the cry of all humanity, we have thus lived with great effort this last year, full of anxiety, suffering and hard work, to safeguard as much as possible the life and health of those entrusted to us.
By Fr. John the Baptist Anyeh, SJ - JCAM, Socius
On February 17, 2021, a training workshop on safeguarding was organised in the board room of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) at 9 am, EAT. The objective of the workshop was to present the updated JCAM policy on safeguarding and the protection of minors and vulnerable adults to the entire staff of Africama House.
Letter to the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, and the European Union.
We bring to your attention the forthcoming meeting of the WTO’s TRIPS (Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights) Council on 10-11 March 2021. There, patent rights on Covid-19 vaccines and other medical products will be on the agenda.
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18)
Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will. He then called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world.
By Maduabuchi Muoneme, S.J.
An international symposium on Discerning Leadership and Ignatian Coaching was scheduled to take place in June 2020, but due to the global health crisis (COVID-19 Pandemic), a physical meeting in Rome was not possible. This crisis, however, did not dampen the Spirit to actualize this initiative, therefore, from June 2020, we began to have online engagements.
by Francis Aziza, SJ, North-West Africa Province (ANW)
It is with the most profound feelings of joy and gratitude that the Hekima University College Jesuit Community gathered in prayer for the Diaconate ordination of 25 Jesuit Scholastics and the Priestly ordination of one member of the Xavierian Missionaries of Yarumal on Saturday, February 13, 2021. The scholastics come from 13 countries and 7 Provinces of the Society in Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
Felix Barutwanayo, SJ - Child Protection Coordinator (RWB)
Feb 5-7: Jesuits working at Lycee du Saint-Esprit and Saint Aloysius of Gonzaga Fundamental Schools in Bujumbura gathered with their collaborators for a workshop on Child Protection and Safeguarding in their respective schools. Eighty-three (83) persons participated in the workshop.
The last workshop had been held two years ago in May 2019 and it was crucial to remind each other about the importance of Child Protection and Safeguarding.
