summer - Comboni Missionaries

summer
2015
www.combonimissionaries.org 1
Comboni Missionaries around the world
The COMBONI
MISSIONARIES were
born from the heart
people. His motto was “to
treatment of African men,
save Africa with Africa.”
of Saint Daniel Comboni.
women, and children as they
He was born in Italy in 1831
were herded through the
and he felt a strong call to
desert in chains to be sold
the priesthood and to take
into slavery. For the young
the Gospel to Africa at an
missionary, the people of
early age.
Africa were made in the image
Africa was a continent not yet
fully explored in those days
2 Comboni Missionaries
Comboni was the inhumane
and likeness of God, and
Jesus had died for them too.
The Comboni Missionaries
are present in about 40
countries of Africa, America,
Europe and Asia. They
belong to as many different
countries and minister in
some of the poorest and
most difficult areas in the
and where Christianity was
Daniel Comboni led priests
world. They have been
very little known.
and lay people from different
working in North America for
countries of Europe to areas
almost 75 years. Their focus
Comboni set out for Africa
of Africa yet to be mapped.
has been on pastoral work
with a group of young priests
He founded two Institutes,
among African Americans,
when he was 27 years of
of men and women to attend
Appalachians, Native
age. His companions died
the needs of the Africans of
Americans and Hispanics,
in the effort, when climate
his time. But above all he
adapting their ministries to
and disease got the better of
dreamed of Africans being
the needs of the peoples they
them. But what most struck
the missionaries of their own
serve.
From the
MISSION is “setting captives free”
Rapien
Editor’s Desk
By Joseph Bragotti, mccj
Aren’t missionaries supposed to save souls and help the
“poor down there?” Well, yes and no. Souls do not exist
in a vacuum and helping the “poor down there” entails
much more than letting them have the crumbs that fall
from our table.
Missionaries are continuing the mission of Jesus. What
did He come to do? “… To bring the good news to the
poor. … To proclaim release to the captives and recovery
of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18) Needless
to say, we would be remiss if we did not do just that.
For people in poverty it is “good news” when there is no
more poverty, for people who are enslaved and oppressed
it is “good news” when they are set free, for people who
are enslaved by ignorance it is “good news” when their
eyes are opened. Only then we can enjoy the peace of the
Lord.
Poverty and oppression are curses of the human race and
ridding humanity of these curses entails much more than
8
10
12
giving to charity. We need to address the
root causes. The Church helps us by pointing
the way through its Social Teaching.
In this issue we want you to be inspired to
face some of these causes and their possible
solutions. What are we doing to creation?
Can we dialogue with Islam if we do not
know Islam? Can we dispel our ignorance? It
breeds fear and prejudice, you know. What
will the Pope tell us in September? Is our
own comfort among the root causes of other
nations’ discomfort?
In this issue we introduce a new page written by Heather Kaufman, our director of
development. Then, of course, we have all
the usual features that will keep you up to
date on where mission is now and on how it
is done now. After all, NOW is the only time
we have!
CONTENTS
16
3
4
5
6
14
18
A THEOLOGY
OF CREATION
PUBLISHER:
Comboni Missionaries
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Comboni Mission Center
1318 Nagel Road
Cincinnati, OH 45255-3120
Tel: (513) 474-4997
IS DIALOGUE
POSSIBLE?
THE POPE
IS COMING!
E-mail: info@combonimissionaries.org
Web Site: www.combonimissionaries.org
EDITOR
Joseph Bragotti, mccj
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Hungria Alipio
MYTH AND
REALITY
19
20
22
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
FROM THE MAILBOX
POPE FRANCIS ON LIFE
AROUND THE WORLD
VOCATIONS: BROTHER AND
DOCTOR
COMBONI SISTERS IN SRI
LANKA
COMBONI LAY MISSIONARIES:
NEW
AROUND THE PROVINCE
HELPING THE MISSION
Photo by Gabriel Estrada
Santoyo, mccj
Send letters to the Editor: joeb51@hotmail.com
Volume 53, No. 2
A $15 annual donation is greatly appreciated.
Comboni Missions (ISSN 0279-3652) is an award winning
publication of the Comboni Missionaries and a member of the
www.combonimissionaries.org
Catholic Press Association.
Published quarterly
3
Letters to the editor
Dear Comboni Missionaries:
I received your Spring issue of Comboni Missions. I am a
professor emeritus of chemistry who taught two courses
on “environmental chemistry” for several years. Now on
p. 8 you assume that somehow Al Gore has been elected
pope. He is totally ignorant of theology and science! He is
a rich politician who has become super-rich through his
“Global Warming” fears (plus a Nobel Prize).
The enclosed donation is to help poor people not rich
environmentalists.
Sincerely yours,
George L. Morgan
San Jacinto, CA
something that is really needed if we are going to have a
Church at all!!
M. P.
Bangor, ME
Dear Comboni Missionaries:
Your magazine is wonderful. God bless all of you. Glad
you have the Pope’s prayer intentions. Sorry I can’t send
you more, I am 83 years old.
Sr. Mary Bonita
Mason City, IA
Dear Fr. Joe:
Dear Fr. Joe:
Great magazine! I was impressed with the articles. My
favorite: The Path of Life over the Path of Politics! It gave
me a little hope. This from someone who is totally turned
off by the politics in the Church and in Washington, DC!
I have been wondering if the missionary church would
have a different take on the politics and ideologies that
seems to engulf - and strangle - the Church today! I guess
there is some hope. I wish you could send your article to
every religious and political “leader” in the US.
The rest of the magazine is great, too! It shows the
“management” Church how to become “missionary” -
Good job on the magazine. We read it from cover to
cover and enjoy the articles a lot.
Nancy Stegbauer
Cincinnati, OH
Please note: We have received several requests from
individuals and organizations wishing to copy/reprint
pages of Comboni Missions magazine in order to foster
the cause of Mission and JPIC in 2015 and beyond. Feel
free to do so. We only ask that you credit: Comboni
Missions and, if the article is signed, the author.
The Pope’s prayer intentions for 2015
Jorge Garcia
JULY
4 Comboni Missionaries
General: That political
responsibility may be lived at all
levels as a high form of charity.
Missionary: That, amid social
inequalities, Latin American
Christians may bear witness to
love for the poor and contribute
to a more fraternal society.
AUGUST
General: That volunteers may
give themselves generously to
the service of the needy.
Missionary: That setting aside
our very selves we may learn to
be neighbors to those who find
themselves on the margins of
human life and society.
SEPTEMBER
General: That
opportunities for education
and employment may
increase for all young people.
Missionary: That
catechists may give witness
by living in a way consistent
with the faith they proclaim.
The joy of the Gospel
Pope Francis on
Tony Potts
the Death Penalty, the Planet
and the “same old, same old”
“N
owadays, the death penalty is inadmissible, no matter how serious the
crime committed. It is an offense against the inviolability of life and the
dignity of the human person, which contradicts God’s plan for man and
society, and his merciful justice, and impedes the penalty from fulfilling
any just objective. It does not render justice to the victims, but rather fosters vengeance.
The death penalty is contrary to the sentiment of humanity and to divine mercy, which
must be the model for human justice.” (Rome, October 2014)
“That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi. For me, he is the man of poverty,
the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation; these days we do not have a very
good relationship with creation, do we? He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the
poor man … How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!” (Rome, March 16, 2013)
“Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic,
political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation,
protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.
Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But
to be “protectors,” we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred,
envy and pride defile our lives!” (Rome, March 19, 2013)
“Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of
only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care
for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude. But when
we exploit Creation we destroy the sign of God’s love for us. In destroying Creation we are
saying to God: ‘I don’t like it! This is not good!’ ‘So what do you like?’ ‘I like myself!’ – Here,
this is sin! Do you see?” (Rome, June 2014)
“I don’t know if it is all our fault, but the majority is, for the most part, it is man who
continuously slaps down nature … We have, in a sense, lorded it over nature, over Sister
Earth, over Mother Earth … I think man has gone too far … Thank God that today there are
voices that are speaking out about this.” (Manila, January 15, 2015)
“I HOPE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES WILL DEVOTE THE NECESSARY EFFORT TO
ADVANCING ALONG THE PATH OF PASTORAL AND MISSIONARY CONVERSION WHICH
CANNOT LEAVE THINGS AS THEY PRESENTLY ARE. MERE ADMINISTRATION CAN NO
LONGER BE ENOUGH. THROUGHOUT THE WORLD LET US BE PERMANENTLY IN A STATE
OF MISSION.” (EG 25)
www.combonimissionaries.org 5
Around the world
EL SALVADOR:
Blessed Oscar
Romero
VATICAN:
Declaration on
climate change
(CPN) ˗ By the time you read this, Archbishop
Oscar Romero will already have been declared
Blessed in the course of a solemn ceremony
held in San Salvador on May 23. The event
took place 35 long years after his violent death.
(Vatican Radio) ˗ World leaders meeting at the Vatican for a
During the years of political repression in El Salvador,
Archbishop Romero had become the voice of the
voiceless and the defender of the oppressed. Only
recently, after years of delays and uncertainty, the
Church in the person of Pope Francis declared that Oscar
Romero suffered a martyr’s death.
The workshop was organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences,
the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences SDSN and Religions
for Peace. The participants recognized that humans have the
technological and financial means, and the know-how, to combat
human-induced climate change, while at the same time eliminating
global poverty.
Some of his quotes have become memorable. “When we
struggle for human rights, for freedom, for dignity, when
we feel that it is a ministry of the church to concern itself
for those who are hungry, for those who have no schools,
for those who are deprived, we are not departing from
God’s promise,” he declared.
Some of the key statements give us an idea of the vital role we are all
called to play.
As death squads spread terror in the country, Archbishop
Romero’s homily on March 23, 1980 sealed his fate: “In
the name of God, in the name of this suffering people
whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore
you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: stop the
repression!” He was murdered the next day.
We will write more extensively on our new Blessed in
future issues.
6 Comboni Missionaries
conference on climate change have issued a final statement,
declaring that “human-induced climate change is a scientific
reality” and “its decisive mitigation is a moral and religious
imperative for humanity.”
“In this core moral space, the world’s religions play a very vital role.
These traditions all affirm the inherent dignity of every individual
linked to the common good of all humanity. They affirm the beauty,
wonder, and inherent goodness of the natural world, and appreciate
that it is a precious gift entrusted to our common care, making it our
moral duty to respect rather than ravage the garden that is our home.”
“The financing of sustainable development, including climate
mitigation, should be bolstered through new incentives for the
transition towards low-carbon energy, and through the relentless
pursuit of peace, which also will enable the shift of public financing
from military spending to urgent investments for sustainable
development.”
UGANDA:
Total Forgiveness
EGYPT:
Welcome Cooperation
Kitgum, Uganda.
Pres. Yoweri
Mueveni and his
wife, Janet, with
Bishop
Sabino Odoki
of Arua (far
right) and other
Ugandan bishops
(CPN) ˗ Earlier this year the Catholic Church in the
Kitgum district of Northern Uganda celebrated its
first 100 years of life. Faith was brought to the area
by early Comboni Missionaries entering Uganda
from South Sudan.
President Museveni, accompanied by his wife Janet, attended
the ceremony. In his speech he congratulated the Comboni
Missionaries and other religious leaders for the development
they brought to Kitgum in particular, and to the region in
general. They have added value to the lives of the people by
building and running schools and health facilities.
Interestingly, while thanking the Comboni Missionaries
for bringing and developing the Christian faith in Northern
Uganda, the President cited as one of the positive
developments the teaching of “unconditional forgiveness.”
“The words of Jesus on the cross, “Forgive them for they
do not know what they are doing” is not so familiar among
people here – said the president – Africans, in fact, tend to
believe in revenge. I thank the Comboni Missionaries for
what they have done in Uganda.”
The President also commended the Comboni Missionaries
for having handed over the leadership of the Catholic Church
in Kitgum to the local Church leaders. In fact, on that same
occasion, a local diocesan priest was installed as the new
pastor of Kitgum, replacing the Comboni Missionaries.
(FIDES) ˗ In the district of Al Manufiyya, located
North of Cairo, in the River Nile Delta there will be
a new Coptic Christian church thanks also to the
financial contribution of the Muslim community.
The church will be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The concrete
solidarity of the Muslim community seems to be the result of
the wave of indignation that swept over the country after ISIS
beheaded a number of Coptic Christians in Libya.
The appeal for help launched by the Coptic Bishop
Benjamin was well received also by the leaders of the
Islamic community, who in turn invited their faithful
to participate. Children and young people in particular
took the invitation at heart and contributed their meager
savings to the project.
This type of cooperation was facilitated by the presence in
the area of Egyptian Family House, an organization that
favors dialogue. The Coptic bishop and the Muslim Grand
Imam alternate at the leadership of the organization
created a few years ago to break down sectarian conflicts,
at a time when fundamentalist groups were threatening
national unity.
The bishop has underlined that this local initiative is
sending a message to the world at large. At the same
time, social commentators and analysts hope that similar
organizations will take root elsewhere in the country.
www.combonimissionaries.org 7
AbdulClimate
Q. Memon
sources
Peace and Justice
A Theology of Creation
“God saw everything that He had made,
and indeed, it was very good”(Gen 1:31)
W
e, Catholics of today, join a long tradition in believing that, besides
“saving souls,” it is our sacred duty to also save the planet and all that
is in it. Didn’t God Himself say that it was “All very good?” Of course,
that was before we messed it up.
As Pope Francis
prepares to gift us with
an entire encyclical
letter on creation,
including what we
need to do with and for
it, the question comes
up: what does the Pope
know about science?
Well, the Pope is not
a scientist, but when
he comes visiting in
September he is not
likely to take a snow
ball to a session of
Congress, either. Some
politician already did
that!
8 Comboni Missionaries
never really in conflict.
One of the greatest
fans of Pope Francis’
upcoming encyclical is
Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI ˗ the “green Pope”
˗ who often spoke
on the environment.
Evidently, we never
paid attention before.
Hopefully, this time we
will.
Christian Tradition
The Pope’s encyclical will explain to us the theology
of creation and show us how it works hand in
hand with the science of environment and its
conclusions. True theology and true science are
Last March, Card. Peter
Turkson, president of
the Pontifical Council
of Justice and Peace,
spoke of the principles
behind the Pope’s letter: “This is not some narrow
agenda for the greening of the Church or the
world. It is a vision of care and protection that
embraces the human person and the environment
in all possible dimensions.”
Again, in the Cardinal’s own words: “When Pope
Francis says that destroying the environment is a
grave sin; when he says that it is not large families
that cause poverty but an economic culture that
puts money and profit ahead of people; when he
says that we cannot save the environment without
also addressing the profound injustices in the
distribution of the goods of the earth; when he
says that this is ‘an economy that kills’— he is not
making some political comment about the relative
merits of capitalism and communism. He is rather
restating ancient biblical teaching.”
Gabriel Santoyo
and all creation
Comboni.org
Human Ecology
In this respect, the encyclical may be looked upon
as a statement on “human ecology” ˗ another term
dear to Benedict XVI, who in 2009 wrote: “The
Church must defend not only the earth, water and
air as gifts of creation that belong to everyone.
She must above all protect humankind from
self-destruction. There is need for what might
be called human ecology, correctly understood.”
(Caritas in Veritate)
Father, you are holy indeed
rightly
ANSA
The Cardinal went on to remind us that it was
God Himself, and not a political party or a trendy
guru, who made us “stewards of creation” so that
we may protect it and make it prosper. We have
inherited a delicate balance of physical, chemical
and biological laws. Having been given a spark of
divine life, our intelligent and immortal inner self,
we are the only ones in all creation with the power
to make it or break it. That is where a sense of
morality comes in, inspired by God and guided by
science.
On this planet earth, we are all connected in what
the Pope calls, “integral ecology.” To survive, we
must create an environment in which the good of
the human person, and not the pursuit of profit, is
the key value that directs our search for the global
common good.
(From Vatican sources. Follow Vatican Radio –
English Section on Facebook)
gives you praise
www.combonimissionaries.org 9
Points of Light
Is
Dialogue
Possible?
10 Comboni Missionaries
By Joseph Bragotti, mccj
Dialogue based on truth
Symbols can be deceiving, including the ones pictured above. So, perhaps
we should start our search for dialogue from the Holy Books that define us:
the Bible and the Qur’an. So similar and also so far apart. For Christians,
the Bible is the word of God, the loving Father, percolated through
centuries of history and brought to fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of God.
For Muslims the Qur’an is the revelation of God the absolute Creator to his
Prophet Muhammed and is in itself God’s miracle to which we are asked to
submit. The word Islam means submission and comes from the same root
of the word salam which means peace.
We share many uplifting stories. We honor the same prophets. Mary and
Jesus have a place of honor in the Qur’an. We share words of mercy, of
peace and of adoration. We
also share stories of massacres
and wars done “in the name of
God.” Yes, our Old Testament
is full of them and, yes, there
is even a verse in the Qur’an
which encourages beheading.
CPN
T
he media have
done such a
superb job of
disseminating
fear, hostility and
misunderstanding, that
most people I know,
Christians and Muslims
alike, have serious doubts
about the possibility of
a productive dialogue
between Christianity and
Islam. It’s a pity, because
both sides believe that
“for those who believe
in God all things work
together unto good.”
Comboni Archives
YES!
Fr. Joseph Scattolin and his associate
teaching Sufism in Egypt
Muslims have fought
Christians, Catholics have
fought Protestants, Buddhists
are persecuting Muslims, and
believers of all stripes have
Denying these basic facts is the prerogative of politicians
and warmongers. Humbly accepting our good points
and our limitations is the fertile ground where believers
sow the seeds of dialogue. There are basic differences
between Christians and Muslims. The fearful will build
up walls, while the faithful will build bridges.
In Jerusalem steeples and minarets often share the same problems
G. Contreras
Solid, old bridges
Sociologists and
theologians alike agree
that real, solid and lasting
dialogue takes place at the
neighborhood level. Isn’t
it a fact that right here in
the States people began
to appreciate one another
when they broke down
the barriers of national
neighborhoods? Then
Cincinnati Dutch and Long
Island Poles even married
Italians and Lebanese –
wonder of wonders – and
lived to tell the story.
The King of Bahrain donated a large plot of land where Bishop C. Ballin
will build his cathedral
New bridges
Dialogue exists at the highest levels. So high, in fact,
that most people are not even aware of it. Scholars,
religious leaders, the Pope and heads of State have
been discussing the intricate realms of theology and of
history. At times, scholars bridge the gap in peculiar
ways. For instance, Comboni Fr. Joseph Scattolin is a
recognized authority on Sufism in Egypt and recently
was invited to lecture about it in a mosque.
Because Islam does not have a hierarchy like
most of Christianity, it is easy to miss the fact that
almost the totality of their scholars, teachers and
leaders have condemned the current excesses.
Christians should know this before they start
whining: “why don’t “they” condemn…etc.?”
CPN
wiped out entire civilizations that stood in the way of
progress. Both sides have - and have had - their share
of fanatics. Thankfully, both sides are overwhelmingly
made up of sane, pious, potentially good people – more
than three billion of them.
“
“
The same was happening
where Muslims and
Christians lived together in
the days when Bible/Qur’an
fanatics and politicians
were not interfering with
their peaceful lives in places
like Egypt, Palestine, Iraq,
Lebanon, Libya and the
United States.
Signs of hope abound. Iran
is softening its posture
on religion. Last March
when terrorists killed
147 Christian students
in Garissa, Kenya two
Christian missionaries I
know wrote, “We survived
thanks to the care of our
Muslim neighbors.” When
Israel indiscriminately
bombed civilians in Gaza,
people joined in solidarity
to share shelter, food and
prayers.
We live in a spacious
world, filled with wonders
and, through our
differences, God shows
all the facets of his love
and mercy. So don’t you
even think of passing
judgment on your fellow
Muslims/Christians until
you personally know some
of them and have shared
bread with them.
Blessed are the Peacemakers; they shall be
(Matthew 5:6)
called children of God.
”
Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing
of good to others; and giving like kindred.
”
(Qur’an 16:91)
www.combonimissionaries.org 11
The Global Christian
The
Pope
is
coming!
“The Pope is coming!
”
ANSA
By Joseph Bragotti, mccj
I
My source? The man whom the Holy
Spirit chose to guide the Church through
the troubled waters of the 21st century,
Pope Francis. By now his vision of the
Church is as clear as spring water – a
source of joy for many and a source of
consternation to some. This vision is
contained in that wonderful exhortation,
The Joy of the Gospel, which lots of
Catholics in the United States still do not
know.
A refreshing message
Pope Francis has surprised us numberless
times with a refreshing view of the
Church, of humanity and of the planet. He
has made it clear that love comes before
the law. He has mingled with the poor and
12 Comboni Missionaries
Archives
have it on good authority that the Catholic Church
is not a museum of Christian antiquities, but rather
the living body of believers in the resurrected Christ,
deeply imbedded in this world, totally involved in a
universal missionary outreach which knows no boundaries.
St. John Paul II with Pres. Carter: two men who
saw eye-to-eye on social and Gospel issues
those rejected by society,
and he has actively
brokered peace among
nations. Members of
other religions, atheists
and agnostics have been
welcomed guests. Both
the young and the old
have found a strong
advocate for their needs.
At the same time,
Pope Francis has often
been very direct in his
comments to those
closest to him, such as
members of the clergy
and of religious life. He
told seminary educators
not to raise “little
monsters,” he made it
clear that clericalism is a
disease and that hiding
behind an office desk is
no longer an option. New
ideas and a lot of courage
LUSA
The official reason for
his coming, of course,
is the Catholic World
Congress on the family. I
would be very surprised
if he were to proclaim
the supremacy of Canon
Law over the needs for
a compassionate and
loving pastoral approach
to the family of today.
Dogmas never change,
but dogmas are fewer
than we think.
“Courage, people of God. Let’s go out into today’s world”
are needed to change ingrained systems that no longer
work. In simple words, we do not need managers of
institutions, but “shepherds who smell like the sheep.”
A hope-filled visit
And now Pope Francis
is coming to the United
States. I am sure that
he will embrace friends
and foes with the same
radiant smile and he will
speak in plain words. He
will be the perfect herald
of the Gospel of life in
all its aspects, from the
dignity of the unborn to
the sacredness of creation.
At the United Nations
Pope Francis will have an
unparalleled opportunity
to link with the world.
There he will fulfill his
deep desire to appeal
for peace and dialogue.
He will be able to show
his appreciation for the
good that is contained in
all cultures and religions
across the planet. That’s
where our faith joins with
the other “seeds of the
kingdom of God” already
present in the world.
He will speak to a joint
session of the United
States Congress. Hardly
anyone in that body
shares fully the Pope’s
pro-life vision, but all
of them need to be
encouraged to promote
whatever little snippet of
it they profess to believe
in, whatever it may be.
To the dismay of a
number of so called
“religious” people, Pope
Francis will be a welcome
guest at the White House.
Pope Francis and the
Hopefully, this visit will
help the Church in the
United States to close
some of its “museums.”
We cherish tradition,
but we are alive today
and we are building for
tomorrow.
Family.com
The Church of today, led by the Pope of today,
immersed in the world of today, is either a
“missionary Church” or else it runs the risk of being
a dead piece of antiquity. Old timers complain that
there is a lot of confusion in the Church. It’s actually
a positive sign. It means that it is part of the world,
which is a messy place to begin with. Aren’t we
supposed to be the “leaven” and the “salt” of the
earth? Safely tucked away
under glass in an exhibit,
both salt and leaven are
totally useless.
president share several
concerns that resonate
with our Catholic social
teaching. This meeting
will strengthen the
common ties and perhaps
create new ones.
Philadelphia joyfully waits for the Pope
www.combonimissionaries.org 13
Vocations
Mission
in the
Forest
M
exican Comboni Brother
Juan Carlos Salgado is a
physician and has been
working in Africa for the
past 16 years. Currently, he ministers
to the people of Mungbere, in the
Republic of Congo. What follows is
his most recent letter to the Esquila
Misional, the Comboni mission
magazine in Mexico.
I am a doctor and work at the mission hospital.
Lots of people come to us from far off places,
even though Mungbere can only be reached by
motorcycle, bicycle or small plane. Most patients
arrive by motorcycle. The most common medical
needs are malaria, dysentery, fractures, AIDS
and respiratory problems. We have a total of five
doctors: two Comboni Missionaries, two local
Congolese and a volunteer from Italy, working
with the help of 30 nurses. Besides taking care of
the hospital, our team also teaches at the nursing
school.
On the road
Part of my work consists in supervising five
health centers within a 30-mile radius. Back
home it doesn’t sound like much, but to cover
30 miles it takes me about three hours traveling
through the forest, the tall grass, mud and army
roadblocks. The soldiers know I am a doctor so
they usually let me pass, but at times they ask for
money.
14 Comboni Missionaries
To reach one of the
centers I have to
cross a river, which
is not always easy.
The reward is that
in the area there is a
lot of good fish. Not
too far away there is
a national park and
people hunt all kinds
of wildlife. Generally,
however, people are
subsistence farmers. I
am constantly amazed
by the generosity of the
people I meet. They
open their humble
homes to me, they feed
me and make me feel
like part of the family.
If I have to spend
the night anywhere,
people get together
at night around the
fire. We visit, pray and
someone watches over
me all night long.
There was a time when
things around here
were much better.
There were plantations
and progress seemed to
be around the corner.
Then the Congo, one
time called Zaire, fell
apart due to wars,
political corruption
and foreign business
interests. By God’s
grace the soil is very
fertile, so that people
can still make a living
by farming.
The Pygmies
Not far from our
mission there are
several Pygmy
villages. They live
deep in the forest,
are hunters and
gatherers and have an
intimate connection
with nature. Since
time immemorial
Pygmies have been
looked down upon by
neighboring tribes and
by the colonizers to
the point that many
consider them almost
less than human.
Instead, they are
simple and friendly.
We have always tried
to protect them and
even suggested ways
to improve their lot,
such as taking up
farming. However,
they prefer their own
ways.
Several families are
now sending their
Pygmies from the forest gather at the hospital for health care
children to school and
some of them have
already completed
high school. Some
of the girls have
become midwives and
work in the health
centers. Others are learning dressmaking from
the Comboni Sisters. We hope that their love of
nature and their simple lifestyle will influence
their surroundings. They are close to God, even if
they don’t know it.
Fulfillment
After 16 years of ministry as a missionary doctor
I still look forward every day for what God has in
store for me. It is a great satisfaction to have the
opportunity to foster the gift of life at all levels,
both spiritual and material. The gratitude of the
people I live with is my reward already on earth.
In case you feel a desire to share this kind of life,
do not squash it. Don’t be a wimp! You don’t
know what you are missing.
(Pictures and text by Bro. Juan Carlos Salgado,
MD)
Bro. Juan Carlos and some young friends
For more information on the missionary life contact:
ezama@combonimissionaries.org
www.combonimissionaries.org 15
Witnesses to the Gospel
MYTHS
and
REALITY
By Joseph Bragotti, mccj
rabs, Muslims, the Middle East, the Qur’an, Terrorism, ISIS, Jihad! Confused?
Worried? Most people are, because they are not informed. Ignorance breeds
fear, suspicion and prejudice. God knows we do not need any of that. So, let us
try to make sense of it and separate myth from reality.
Our unknown connections
Our most ancient connections with the Middle East
are biblical. Abraham came from “the land of Ur”
in southern Iraq, Jonas converted Nineveh, today’s
suburban Mosul, and Babylon’s ruins are just
south-west of Baghdad. Of course, do not forget
that the Son of God was born in the Middle East.
The tomb of Jonas in Mosul destroyed by ISIS
500 million. More than 95
percent of them live in the
countries shown above.
Arabs and Muslims are
not synonymous. Many
Arabs, especially those
living in the United States,
are Christians. Surprised?
There are about two million
people of Arab descent
in the United States, plus
many other people from the
Middle East who are not
Arabs, such as Iranians.
16 Comboni Missionaries
Islam
Islam is the religion
founded by the prophet
Mohammed who lived
in the seventh century in
what is now Saudi Arabia.
Islam’s believers are called
Muslims and the Qur’an is
their holy book. Islam is the
Arabic word for surrender,
submission. It has the same
root as Salam, which means
Peace.
Muslims number close
Arabs
Arabs are people living in areas mostly around the
Mediterranean Sea, who speak Arabic and share
the Arab culture. You do not become an Arab.
You are born an Arab. Arabs number less than
to 1.5 billion. The largest
Muslim country in the
world is Indonesia. There
are two main branches
of Islam: Sunni and Shia.
Sunni make up about 80
percent of Islam. Muslims
have three main holy
sites: Mecca, Medina and
Jerusalem.
Islamic faith is based on
five pillars: Witness of
faith, prayer, almsgiving,
fasting during Ramadan,
Archives
Lusa
A
Map of Arab countries (Sudan map is outdated)
The late Danny Thomas, our
favorite Arab
At that point, a messianic
figure, called el-Mahdi,
will appear. He will lead
the believers into the
final struggle against evil
as a prelude to the final
judgment by Jesus. Yes,
by Jesus! Not all Muslims
believe in the Mahdi and
there have been dozens of
them – one in St. Daniel
Comboni’s days (See
April’s Comboni Digital
Newsletter).
Map of Islam
and the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if possible.
Islam does not have a priesthood to offer sacrifices, nor a
centralized authority to interpret the Qur’an.
ISIS
In the course of history, humanity has always had fringe
groups of fanatics who have tried to violently shape the
environment according to their own will. Just to mention
the better known: the Nazis in Christian Germany, the
Mafia, the IRA and ETA in Catholic Italy, Ireland and Spain
The religious background
of this ultra-fanatic fringe
has a strong apocalyptic
tone. Its first objective is the
“purification” of Islam. That
is why ISIS’ jihad destroys
mosques, beheads or shoots
fellow Muslims and imposes
its tyrannical rule on its
“converts.” The punishment
meted out to Christians
found along the way and to
some western media agents
is publicized for propaganda
purposes.
According to this religious
view, the time will come
when the faithful will be
totally submitted to God.
The political side of it? ISIS
sits on great oil reserves
and gets lots of money by
smuggling ancient artifacts
across the Turkish border.
Its aim is to conquer as
much territory as possible
and to scare foreign powers
into believing that their days
are numbered. ISIS owns a
great publicity apparatus,
and panic mongers in our
national media fan the
flames on a daily basis.
This, too, shall pass if we
all pray together and lend
concrete support to our
Muslim brothers and sisters
who are opposing this
internal cancer.
Aurora, Ind. KKK parade circa 1926
Currently 1.5 billion Muslims are burdened by the activities
of a fanatic fringe of about 50 thousand zealots based
mostly in Iraq and Syria, now known as ISIS. ISIS was born
in Iraq in 2003 in response to the United States invasion.
It went through a series of transformations, moved into
Syria in 2006 and, in July 2014, their leader Abdu Bakar
Al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself the Kalipha (the head) of
the Islamic State.
Lusa
respectively, and the KKK in our Protestant South. Usually,
it is hard to separate religious passion from political power.
ISIS propaganda
www.combonimissionaries.org 17
Comboni Sisters
Sri Lanka
Our New
Frontier
Comboni Sisters
By Sr. Libanos Ayele, CMS
T
he top event of this year
was the visit of Pope
Francis to Sri Lanka
Kenyan Sr. Nelly Kangogo, CMS leads the Good Friday Way of the Cross
where Catholics are
only two percent of the population. It took place soon after the presidential elections
and the country was very relaxed. People waving flags lined up along the entire 15 miles
route from the airport to the Vatican Embassy. Ceremonial elephants saluted the Pope
by raising their trunks as he passed by. National TV covered the entire visit.
Holy Week
This was our third Holy Week in Sri Lanka. Once
again we were impressed with the depth of the faith
and the devotion of the people. This was particularly
evidenced on Good Friday. No one was missing. The
live Way of the Cross and the Crucifixion were done
in a very dramatic way. In our parish of St. Patrick
people carried a huge cross with a man tied to it. The
rite of deposition of the Lord from the cross and burial
is followed with great emotion.
Challenges
We have only been in Talawakelle, Sri Lanka a short
three years. Beginnings are never easy. One of the
most challenging experiences we have faced is learning
the local language. Unfortunately, we have yet to
find someone who will teach us Tamil, as a second
language. There is no methodology to teach adults.
However, our main task is to teach English at St.
Patrick School. We also help poorer youngsters with
private tutoring to empower them as they grow up.
18 Comboni Missionaries
Another challenge is to
find ways to empower
the people. Most of them
work in tea plantations.
Tea was introduced by
the British about 200
years ago. Since then,
the system has not
changed nor has the lot
of the people. Women
work eight hour shifts
to pluck the tea leaves
by hand. Men trim the
plants, spread manure,
and clean the shrubs.
The salary is very meager
and people do not know
how to save. They are
constantly in debt with
the plantation store. One
of our dreams is to train
them to save and thus
improve their life.
We are happy here. Pray
for us.
Comboni Sisters
Of great importance was the ecumenical outreach.
Always full of surprises, Pope Francis cancelled a
meeting with sisters in order to meet representatives
of the Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim communities.
Comboni Sisters Quy Dinh, Nelly Kangogo and Libanos Ayele at a
parish social
Lindsay Braud
Comboni Lay Missionaries
Starting
a Journey
in Peru
by Lindsay Braud
T
he Comboni family
just got a little bit
bigger. Yessenia De La
Yessenia De La O and Melissa White
O and Melissa White
have joined the Comboni Lay Missionary program in Chicago. These wonderful
young ladies finished their formation in May. Then they had the chance to spend
some time with their families before heading to Trujillo, Peru this June.
Meet Yessenia
Yessenia was born in El Salvador, but moved to
the United States with her family when she was
7-years old and has lived here ever since. For the
past four years she has taught preschool.
“I want to become a Comboni Lay Missionary
because I want to enrich my life further through
helping the less fortunate and being part of
something greater than myself.
At the same time, I am moved by the love I have
for God and I want to help spread the Gospel
through my service to others. I am looking
forward to being able to go to Trujillo, Peru with
Melissa White, my formation partner and making
a difference in the lives of my brothers and sisters
there.
Our departure is set for the first week of June
2015 when I will begin a new chapter in my life;
three years of giving all that I am, including my
heart, to the people of Peru,” Yessenia said.
Meet Melissa
Melissa is originally from Columbus, Ohio and
attended Miami University. For the past 10
years she has been teaching English as a Second
Language in North
Carolina, serving
students in grades
K-12.
finished serving three
years, and spent a
couple of days with
them.
“I always felt that
missionary work was
something that I would
do one day, but I kept
putting it off until
‘later.’ I finally realized
that later was now and
that if I was going to
listen to God’s call,
then I had better seize
the day!
I am very excited to
be working there.
The people were
extremely warm and
welcoming and I am
looking forward to a
wonderful, productive
three years!” Melissa
wrote.
In June, Yessenia and
I will go to Trujillo,
Peru. Last summer, I
was able to travel to
Peru and meet Emily
and Rafael, who just
Thank you Yessenia
and Melissa for
becoming Comboni
Lay Missionaries.
We will pray for you
and look forward to
hearing about your
adventures in Peru!
For more information about the Comboni Lay Missionary
Program visit: www.laymission-comboni.org
www.combonimissionaries.org 19
Around the Province
CINCINNATI
2015 Assembly
Heather Kaufman
L. Braud
César Chávez Award
April 13-17 the Comboni Missionaries working
in the United States and Canada gathered in
Cincinnati, Ohio, for their yearly assembly. It was
Thanks a latte
Meet the Missionaries Night
L. Braud
We couldn’t do all we do without the help
of our wonderful and faithful volunteers. On
Saturday, March 28, the Cincinnati Mission Office
held a special Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in
honor of our volunteers.
20 Comboni Missionaries
CPN
who just received the César Chávez award from
Su Casa Hispanic Center of Catholic Charities
Southwestern Ohio. Su Casa presents four awards to
individuals and agencies that have made a significant
contribution to the Greater Cincinnati Hispanic and
Latino communities. Congratulations Fr. Louie!
a great opportunity to share experiences and ideas
on the work done, plan for the future, and reflect
and pray together. Currently, Comboni Missionaries
are involved in: pastoral work among the Hispanic
immigrants; raising missionary awareness in the
local Church; offering young people opportunities
for missionary service; advocating issues of justice
and peace and the integrity of creation. The assembly
was a good occasion to revive the spirits, thank our
benefactors and renew old friendships.
Congratulations to Comboni Missionary
Father Louie Gasparini, Director of Hispanic
Ministry for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
Meet our visiting missionaries. Please join us as they
share their stories of everyday life in the missions. 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 8, at the Anderson Center, 7850 Five
Mile Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45230. Refreshments will be
provided. Call 513-474-4997 for more information.
CALIFORNIA
Celebrating their
Golden Jubilee
There was a full house for the 12th annual Music for the
Missions on April 25 at St. Louise de Marillac church in
Covina, Calif. The performers really outdid themselves this
L. Braud
R. Schorbach
Music for the Missions
Comboni.org
NEW JERSEY
year performing “Music from the Movies” with songs such as Star
Wars, The Sound of Music, Baby Elephant Walk, O Sole Mio and
Pink Panther - more than 25 songs in all. Rose Joyner assembled
a beautiful selection of silent auction and raffle items for our
guests. It was a wonderful night!
World Social Forum
Barely a week after the terrorist attack at the Bardo
National Museum, nearly 70,000 people gathered in
Tunis, Tunisia for the World Social Forum.
This year Fr. Ken Gerth and Fr.
Paul Ewers celebrate the 50th
anniversary of their ordination.
Happy Golden Jubilee!
Fr. John Converset and Fr. John Paul
Pezzi represented the North American
Province of the Comboni Missionaries.
They also presented workshops. The
World Social Forum is an open meeting
place for reflective thinking, democratic
debate of ideas, proposal building,
free exchange of experiences, and
building alliances among movements
and organizations engaged in concrete
actions towards a more democratic and
fair world. The people attending this
forum are committed to building a society
centered on the human person.
Among the 1,500 workshops, the main
themes were the defense of human
rights, the environment and climate, and
spirituality and interfaith dialogue.
www.combonimissionaries.org 21
Helping The Mission
Taste of Mission
2015
T
by Heather Kaufman
he Taste of Mission was created in 2010 as a
family-friendly summer event to give the local
community of Greater Cincinnati an opportunity
to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of
the four continents where the Comboni Missionaries do
mission work.
The Taste of Mission provides for the Comboni Missionaries serving in
Cincinnati as well as missionaries visiting from all over the world the
chance to talk about their personal mission experiences, while allowing
the attendees to enjoy a glimpse of mission cultures and entertainment.
The event takes place on the lovely, shaded grounds of the Comboni
Mission Center in Anderson Township, on the East side of Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Showcasing dancers and music from Africa and the Americas,
the event brings together hundreds of guests who enjoy live
entertainment, ethnic food, international beverages, a mission
market, and a children’s area. Visits to the exotic Mission Museum
are also available. Admission is free.
Planning is under way for the sixth Annual Taste of Mission to be
held August 22 from 6-10 p.m. This year’s theme is, “One World,
One Family, One Mission to Love.” New to the Taste of Mission is
the addition of a German
and an Irish booth. Event
favorites, with dishes
from Italy, Africa, Latin
America and Asia will be
returning. And so will be
the Mission Market. You
can also expect fantastic
dancing and music from
all over the world.
Several volunteers are
working to ensure this
year’s event is a success.
22 Comboni Missionaries
Fourteen business
sponsorships have
already been secured
and we hope to have
individuals as well to
sponsors the evening’s
activities. The event is
certainly worth a trip
from neighboring cities
such as Columbus,
Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind.
and Louisville, KY. Be
brave! Be happy! Be
here!
For more information about volunteering for the Taste of
Mission 2015, sponsorship opportunities or the summer raffle,
please contact Heather Kaufman, Director of Development at
kaufman@combonimissionaries.org or 513-474-4997.
CONTACT
Where you can find the
Comboni Missionaries in the
United States and Canada
Comboni Mission Center
1318 Nagel Road
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Tel: (513) 474-4997
Fax (513) 474-0382
info@combonimissionaries.org
www.combonimissionaries.org
Comboni Mission Center
645 S. Aldenville Ave
Covina, CA 91723
Tel: (626) 339-1914
Fax (626) 974-4238
comboni@verizon.net
Comboni Mission
Center
1615 E. 31st Street
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Tel: (708) 354-1999
(708) 354-2050
Fax: (708) 354-2006
Community
cmccombonis@sbcglobal.net
Mission Office
cmcoffice@sbcglobal.net
St. Cecilia Parish
4230 S. Normandie Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Parish Tel:
(323) 294-6628
Residence Tel:
(323) 299-3392 and
(323) 299-5301
information
Fax: (323) 294-3310
parish@stcecilia-la.org
Comboni Missionaries
148 Madison Avenue South
Kitchner, ON N2G 3M6
Community:
Tel: (519) 744-4680
Fax: (519) 744-4840
Parish: Tel: (519) 745-9302
Fax: (519) 741-9944
cmoffice@combonimissionaries.ca
St. Lucy Parish
Comboni Missionaries
118 7th Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
Tel: (973) 803-4200
Fax: (973) 482-6575
Holy Cross Parish
4705 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Tel: (323) 234-5984
Tel: (323) 234-0137
Fax: (323) 234-0130
parish@holycross-la.org
Peace Corner Youth
Center
P.O. Box 440113
Chicago, IL 60644
Tel: (773) 261-5330
Fax: (773) 261-1523
thepeacecorner@yahoo.com
Yes, I would like to support the work of the Comboni Missionaries
among the poorest and most abandoned:
first name
last name
Leave a Legacy!
St. Charles Borromeo
Church
115 W. Seymour Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Tel: (513) 948-1760
Comboni Missionary
Sisters
1307 Lakeside Ave.
Richmond,VA 23228
Tel: (804) 262-8827
Fax: (804) 264-2906
cmsusacommunity@verizon.
net
Comboni Missionary
Sisters
Support the work of the Comboni
Missionaries:
We invite you to consider sharing
in our mission through a gift.
5401 Loch Raven Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21239
Tel: (410) 323-1419
Fax: (410) 323-9632
sisters@combonisrs.com
Your gracious support enables the
Comboni Missionaries to continue to
bring the light of Christ and the hope
of a better life through life-saving
medical care, education, pastoral
support and job skills in resourcescarce places in Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the United States. The
Missionaries will put your gift to work
where the need is greatest.
Comboni Lay
Missionaries
1615 E. 31st Street
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Tel: (708) 588-1602
Fax: (708) 354-2006
clmp-paul@sbcglobal.net
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(checks payable to: Comboni Missionaries)
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www.combonimissionaries.org 23
Non-Profit Org
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PAID
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…The One God spoke to Abraham in the silence of the desert
24 Comboni Missionaries