FACES OF THE MISSION
This photo collage is a representation of the body of Christ. We are all called to take part in the mission of the Church, and to be partners in evangelization. We are from different cultures and traditions, and so, invited to respect our diversity; and to be in conversation with the least and the lost. To do mission and to work in evangelization is our responsibility as a Church; therefore, we create an atmosphere of welcome for these people. In this way, we will see a flourishing of the faithful in our churches.
RADAR • Stop the war!
Martyrdom to regenerate life and hope
BY SR M. MARTA VARGAS CMS
OUR HEARTS still tremble at what happened on 6 September, in Chipene, Mozambique, when Sr Maria de Coppi died at the hands of Islamic extremists in an attack on the village and mission of the Comboni Missionary Sisters.
At about 9 p.m. a group of terrorists attacked Chipene, burning the church, the hospital and the sisters’ house. Two sisters managed to escape: Angeles Lopez, from Spain, and Eleonora Reboldi, from Italy. Sr Maria was killed when the terrorists arrived.
Sr Maria de Coppi, 83, was originally from Italy and worked as a missionary in Mozambique since 1963 serving the poor, the least in society and especially women. During this period, she went through the independence and civil wars. “After a lifetime of service, Sr Maria died a martyr’s death because she did not abandon the poor even in such difficult times,” stated the Southern African Catholics Bishop Conference in their Letter of Solidarity.
The violence in Cabo Delgado has recently spread to the Province of Nampula, where these unfortunate events took place. “Since 2017, Cabo Delgado and its surroundings have been suffering a serious humanitarian crisis due to the violence perpetrated by various jihadist and terrorist groups that have caused the forced displacement of about 80 000 people from the area,” explained Sr Luigia Coccia, Superior General of the Comboni Missionary Sisters.
In the face of this situation the Comboni Sisters reaffirm, “our commitment is to remain united in prayer, in solidarity and in Mission, precisely when the work becomes harder,” continues Sr Luigia Coccia in the Official Communiqué of the Congregation.
The Gospel of the day when the news arrived still echoes in our hearts and motivates us to continue moving forward: “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Lk 6: 20–26).
Sr Maria de Coppi has sealed her love of God and His people with the palm of martyrdom. Blessed be Mozambique, the precious land that drinks and welcomes our tears today; tears of pain, of sadness, tears of blood, tears that one day will flourish, deep in the soil, to regenerate life and hope.
THE PONTIFICAL SOCIETY OF THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH (POPF) TURNS 200
Throughout this year, celebrations in various countries are marking its anniversary. Founded by Blessed Pauline Jaricot the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) support the Church’s missionary-related projects with prayer, animation and financial assistance
WOMEN AND YOUTH CALLED FOR PEACE
CONCLUDING THE 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, on his 38th Apostolic Journey abroad, Pope Francis thanked those present coming from so many different parts of the world.
THE ETHIOPIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH URGES PARTIES TO DIALOGUE AND PEACE
THE ETHIOPIAN Catholic Church does not fail to express its great concern for all those who live in the region of Tigray, Amhara, Afar and other regions of the country.
NEW MALARIA VACCINE IS ‘WORLD-CHANGING’, SAY SCIENTISTS
THE TEAM at the University of Oxford who developed the malaria vaccine, expects it to be distributed by the end of next year. Trial results, done on 409 children in Nanoro, Burkina Faso and published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, show that three initial doses followed by a booster a year later gives up to 80% protection against the deadly disease.
A NEW BISHOP FOR PRETORIA
BISHOPS OF the South African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), clergy and thousands of faithful attended the beautiful ceremony of ordination of Bishop Masilo John Selemela. The celebration, presided over by the Archbishop of Pretoria, Dabula Anthony Mpako, as the main consecrator, had Bishops João Rodrigues of Tzaneen and Vincent Zungu of Port Elizabeth as the co-consecrating bishops.
SISTER ORIANNE, A PAULINE NUN ON INSTAGRAM ENCOUNTERING CHRIST ONLINE
Sister Orianne, a Canadian-born Pauline nun, currently based at their North American Publishing House, Boston, USA, ministers to followers via social media platforms fostering through them an encounter with God through the message of Christ and His deep and abiding love