> the Situation in the Ivory Coast for Our Missionaries
Communicationes N. 31
15-11-2004
CONTENTS
> The situation in the Ivory Coast for our Missionaries.
> Pastoral Visitation of Fr General to the Philippines
> Award for Carmelite Nun from Peruvian Radio station.
> Katowice (Poland): Change of Constitutions
> OCDS Fraternity of Turin, Italy.
The Situation in the Ivory Coast for our Missionaries
Note from Fr Provincial
Discalced Carmelites, Aragon - Valencia, Spain.
7th November 2004
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Due to the grave situation that has occurred in the Ivory Coast, which every one is aware of thanks to the international media, we are naturally worried for our missionaries in Abiyan, the financial capital of the country, who are facing daily confrontations and conflicts.
This afternoon, Fr. Miguel Hernansaiz was able to send the Provincial a brief message of the actual situation. The war has restarted between the government forces and the rebels who control the north of the country... Yesterday these rebel forces attacked a french military base killing nine French soldiers. France has reacted by destroying the planes used in the attack. And so now the war is also against the French and, according to Fr Miguel, “all white people are considered French”. He has remained indoors and is safe. Frs Festus and Julio and the rest of the community have set off for neighbouring Togo. A white Belgian priest is accompanying them as he cannot return to his own house in Abiyan, where the streets are full of young supporters of the President, who are looking to destroy French property, they cry “to the houses of the whitemen”. The latter are staying their houses with the doors bolted. Fr Miguel is in contact with the Spanish Embassy, which if necessary will consider evacuating its citizens. Right now the French military are in control of the international airport, more troops are arriving in order to maintain law and order and protect the more than 15,000 French and other nationals. He is not too worried for his own safety but has decided to leave if and when the embassy organizes an evacuation. He asks us earnestly for our prayers both for himself and for Carmel in this country.
Nothing more for now, Brothers and Sisters. Let us pray, as Fr Miguel has asked us to, so that those who are responsible for this and other conflicts will learn that violence does not achieve anything except the suffering and death of so many innocent people. Fraternal greetings to you all,
Fr. Juan Jose Conesa, Provincial
THE VISITATION OF THE GENERAL
TO THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSARIAT
From October 2 to 25th Fr General, accompanied by Fr Angelo Madelo, General Definitor and Fr Joel Borreo, Commissar, made a pastoral visitation of the Philippine Commissariat. They visited all the houses of the friars including the 3 formation houses. The Commissariat consists of 26 solemnly professed friars, 22 students (of whom 3 Vietnamese), 7 novices (1 Vietnamese) and 8 postulants.
Besides meeting and speaking to everyone individually, Fr General visited several of the 22 Carmelite convents and later met the Nun’s Association in Davao City. He also met various OCDS groups and the Bishops of the particular Dioceses where we are present. A visit was paid to Fr Commissar O. Carm and meetings arranged with communities of Institutes affiliated to the Order. The Visitation concluded with a final meeting on the 25th October when the General shared his report with the assembly and praised the work of the friars, nuns and ocds.
A CARMELITE NUN RECEIVES PRIZE FROM RADIO PERU
LIMA, 31st October 04 (ACI). - A Carmelite Nun from the town of Ayachcha who works with lepers in one of the poorest areas of the country has received an “Integration and Solidarity” award which is conferred annually by Radio Programas of Peru (RRP).
Sr. Celina of the Infant Jesus, a cloistered Carmelite, was given this award for her work with lepers in Abancay in the plains of south Peru, where, in 1964, she arrived to set up a support association.
She told the radio station that since 1970 the leprosy clinic has been called “The Clinic of St Teresa”. She said that the centre was run by the diocese of Abancay and focuses on all kinds of illness, but with particular attention to skin diseases, such as leprosy.
Concerning the early days of the clinic Sr Celina recalled how everyone was afraid, but “soon came to understand that leprosy is caused by dirt and lack of food, which is why there is no leprosy in the developed parts of the world”.
The Religious admitted that she cannot attend to the elderly anymore due to her old age, but she always prays that God “will move people’s hearts to come and help”. Furthermore, the enclosed Sisters make craft products, have a small farmhouse and a garden.
Together with the award she won a trophy and 7 thousand dollars.
CHANGE OF CONSTITUTIONS
With the decree N̊ 6306/2004 of July 9, 2004, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has agreed to the request by the convent of Katowice (Poland) to pass from the 1990 Constitutions to those of 1991. This convent is located close to the birthplace of the Holy Father, John Paul II, Wadowice.
We heartily congratulate the Sisters of Katowice, who, in this way, are from now are in full communion with the Order, as was always the wish of our holy Mother.
OCDS FRATERNITY OF TURIN, ITALY
On October 17, 2004 a celebration was held to mark the canonical establishment of the OCDS Fraternity of Turin. After years of preparation our lay brothers and sisters have asked for and obtained an independent fraternity within the Ligurian Carmelite Province, in this way officially beginning their presence and apostolate within the Order and the Church.
Mgr. Dario Berruto, representing the Archbishop of Turin, presided at the celebration. Fr Pierluigi Canobbio, Provincial Delegate, Fr Teodoro Brogi, the community’s spiritual assistant, and the diocesan deacon. Also present were family members, friends and supporters of the OCDS Fraternity, as well as representatives from other Ligurian fraternities. At the end of the liturgical celebration refreshments were served which suitably concluded the celebration of this important ecclesial and Carmelite event.