MISSION: DIALOGUE FOR PEACE
The Mosque minarets and church domes of the front cover, facing each other at twilight, transmit a sense of harmony and serenity. The two main religions of the world, Christian and Islam, are called to a mutual understanding and peace-building for the well-being of humanity. The essence of its traditions, far from fundamentalist interpretations, should lead their faithful to pursue together the values of justice and fraternity.
RADAR
The joy of re-encountering your Bishop in a foreign land
BY SHEILA PIRES SACBC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER & RAFAEL ARMADA MCCJ
A VIBRANT crowd of hundreds of Malawians from Tshwane, Johannesburg and some from Cape Town packed the Cathedral of Pretoria on 17 September 2023. The mass, presided over by the visiting Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, from Karonga Diocese, Northern Malawi consisted of a colourful and prayerful liturgy animated with dances and songs in South African languages and those from their home Provinces. The Eucharist was the concluding celebration of the second Pastoral visit of Archbishop of Pretoria Anthony Dabula Mapko to the Malawian community which was honoured with the presence of some priests of the Archdiocese, including Fr Patrick Mphepho, chaplain of the Malawian community.
During his homily, Bishop Martin encouraged his fellow nationals to embrace the Cross of Christ in their lives and to keep alive their moral and family values. Archbishop Dabula, at the end of the celebration, thanked the congregation and animated them to continue their journey of integration in the local Church.
After the mass, the Prelates offered two interviews to the media present at the event. Archbishop Dabula recognized the long existing relationship of friendship and collaboration between the two bishops and their dioceses. As Karonga Diocese is blessed with vocations to priesthood, Archbishop Dabula hopes for a possible assistance in this regard. Speaking about xenophobic attitudes in the society, Archbishop Dabula emphasized the need for communities to embrace one another to dissipate this kind of evil sentiments which is present only in some sectors of the society.
Bishop Mtumbuka, on his part, expressed his satisfaction with the situation of the Malawian community, who feel welcome and pastorally attended to in South Africa, despite their existing challenges. Regarding human trafficking, Bishop Martin, chairman of the Justice and Peace in the Malawian Bishop Conference, expressed his concern on this issue and his strong commitment to deal with this scourge, often caused by false financial expectations of the trafficked individuals. In his opinion, it is a matter which needs great collaboration between the two Bishops Conferences. Regarding the process of documentation for residence in South Africa, Bishop Martin expressed the need, both to conscientize the population in Malawi on the requirements to come to South Africa and to respect the laws for those already living in the country.
AN APOSTLE FULL OF ZEAL FOR AFRICA
Pope Francis continued his catechesis series dedicated to the passion for evangelisation and apostolic zeal. He applauded St Daniel Comboni’s great zeal and love for Africa, saying he was fuelled by the joy of the Gospel
HOLY SEE WELCOMES INITIATIVES FOR PEACE IN HOLY LAND
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, highlights the Holy See’s priorities with regard to the Holy Land in the context of renewed efforts to build peace in the Middle East.
CARBON CREDITS: A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC AT THE AFRICA CLIMATE SUMMIT
The Africa climate summit took place from the 4th to the 6th September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. Its final declaration presents Africa’s position on climate change ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, later in the year. Despite being the continent with the lowest carbon emissions, it stands to be hit the hardest.