Greetings from Rome- I am writing this note from the Vatican at Augustinianum, St. Monica College, facing St. Peter's Basilica, my residence during the Synod of Bishops, Second Special Assembly for Africa, “The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: You are the Salt of the Earth .. You are Light of the World (Mt 5:13-14)”.
We have just finished the second week preparing to enter the third and final week of the Synod. As we enter this final week of the Synod I wish to thank you all my confreres for your messages of encouragement, prayers and support.
Our participation (Apostles of Jesus) in the two Synods of Bishops, Special Assemblies for Africa is recognition of our ministry in the Church today. It is an opportunity which we should not take for granted. We (AJ) are indeed salt of the African Christian faith called to be Light of the World, as we render our services to the Church as agents of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. We need to beware that each opportunity of service calls for duty and responsibility.
I am happy to share with you that I was given an opportunity to address the General audience of the Synod in the presence of the Holy Father, who is the President of the Synod. My intervention was centered on the African contribution to the new missio ad Gentes. I asked the Synod Fathers and the entire Church to support and encourage our missionary endeavor in the spirit of collaboration. This week I had a brief audience with the Holy Father. He sends his greetings to the Apostles of Jesus and asks us to pray for him.
In the series of interviews and conversations I have made, there is a recurring question: "Is it time for Africa to?" I am convinced it is time and indeed it has always been time for Africa to contribute to the wellbeing of the world.
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The Synod Fathers have on several occasions expressed their gratitude for our contribution in the mission we have embraced. In one of the communiqué the bishops said, "The Church in Africa thanks God for many of her sons and daughters who are missionaries on other continents."
In this holy exchange of gifts, it is important that all the stakeholders continue to work for a transparent, fair, dignified Christian relationship. I wish to encourage you all, or rather let us encourage each other.
The mission we have embarked on is neither easy nor simple. We have left our homes, families and friends to be sent to other lands and meet other people. Sometimes we feel not appreciated, rejected or neglected. We need to support each other, encourage and promote the positive elements of our apostolate.
We need at the same time to rebuke and denounce the acts and habits and individuals that tend to deviate us from our mission, charism and objectives. Above all in the spirit of the Synod we need to forgiven each other through Christ our reconciler. As we prayed together during the celebration of our 40th anniversary last year, the Lord will always be with us “I will be with you always” Mt: 28:20).
Many of the bishops whom I talked to appreciate what we are doing in their dioceses. They wish we could send more missionaries to their people. Indeed they say to us: Many of you have left your countries or Africa to offer your missionary services in other countries and continents.
When you work in full respect for good order, you project a good image of your countries and Africa. The Synod commends your commitment to the missionary task of the Church. They not only appreciate our missionary vocation, but also our call to religious life and priesthood.
For our Brothers confreres, please support your priest confreres, pray for them and challenge them to remain faithful.
Let us keep each other in prayers, through the intercession of St. Augustine, St. Monica, St. Peter the Apostle and all great missionaries of the Church.
Fr. Speratus Kamanzi, AJ is a Superior General of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus.
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