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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.
Nigerian Archdiocese Issues Guidelines for Eucharistic Adoration after Theft of Monstrance with Blessed Sacrament
Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has released new guidelines for Eucharistic Adoration in response to the theft of a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament during exposition on Tuesday, August 20.
How to Maintain Catholic Identity in Schools with Increasing Secularization: Kenyan Bishop
Secular influences have made maintaining a Catholic identity in Kenyan Catholic schools a challenging task, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, one of the three Auxiliary Bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN), has said.
Cape Verdean Catholic Parish Celebrates Four Years of Growth in Numbers, Vibrancy of Parishioners
The Parish Priest of St. Joseph Praia Parish in Cape Verde’s Catholic Diocese of Santiago has expressed his joy and gratitude for the increase in the number of the faithful under his care in just four years.
Pope Francis Praying for Participants in Madagascar’s National Eucharistic Congress to Inspire “charity, solidarity”
Pope Francis is in spiritual solidarity with participants in Madagascar’s 3rd National Eucharistic Congress (KEN 2024) taking place in the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana.
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.
Lector in Malawi Who Collapsed While Taking First Reading, and Later Passed on Eulogized for “commitment to faith”
John Luchembe, the Lector, who collapsed while taking the First Reading at Holy Mass in Malawi and later died at a hospital has been remembered for dedicated commitment to Catholic faith.
Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Emdeber Catholic Bishop in Ethiopia, Appoints Successor
Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of Bishop Musiè Ghebreghiorghis from the pastoral care of the Eparchy of Emdeber in Ethiopia and appointed Bishop Lukas Teshome Fikre Woldetensae as his successor.
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”.
Catholic Charity Fears for Deportation of Yemeni Seeking Refuge in Egypt after Conversion to Christianity
The Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, has raised fears that a Yemeni, who fled to Egypt after he converted to Christianity now risks being deported to his home country where his life may be in greater danger.
Catholic Youths in Madagascar Urged to Emulate Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo’s Powerful Example of Eucharistic Life
Archbishop Benjamin Marc Balthason Ramaroson of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana in the Indian Ocean Island nation of Madagascar has urged young people in the country to emulate Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo, a Malagasy laywoman who devoted her life to the poor and the sick.
Catholic Nun Proposes Training of Competent, More Specialized Formators in Eastern, Central Africa
A Catholic Nun has raised concern about a shortage of “competent” formators in the Eastern and Central African region, emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize specific professional training of personnel in the region.
Heads of Catholic Primary Schools in Kenya Urged To “deeply care for learners” in First Ever Conference
The Archbishop of Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi has appealed to heads of Catholic primary schools in Kenya to prioritize the needs of their pupils to equip them for life's challenges.
First Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese Eulogized for “unwavering faith, selfless service”
Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, the first Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City Archdiocese in Nigeria, has been remembered as a faithful pastor who contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church.
Archbishop in Mozambique Urges Politicians to Focus on Proposals, “not verbal aggression” in Upcoming Election Campaign
Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna of the Catholic Archdiocese of Beira in Mozambique has called on politicians to ensure that the electoral campaign, set to begin on August 24, is centered on the presentation of political “proposals” rather than “verbal aggression.”
“Teach children the spiritual way of the Church”: Catholic Archbishop at Annual Marian Pilgrimage in Angola
Archbishop Luzizila Kiala of the Catholic Archdiocese of Malanje in Angola has underscored the importance of supporting and guiding children in the ways of the Church.
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.
May Mozambique’s Scheduled General Elections Follow “God’s will, free from lies”: Catholic Archbishop
The prayer of Archbishop Inácio Saúre of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nampula in Mozambique is that the Southern African country’s general elections scheduled for October 9 are conducted in an honest manner.
