(ANS – Goma) – In the early afternoon of Thursday, May 9, 2024, the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, arrived in Goma, accompanied by Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Regional Councillor for Africa-Madagascar.
Welcoming him at the Congolese-Rwandan border was a large delegation made up of the political and administrative authorities of North Kivu Province; the ecclesiastical authorities of the Goma diocese – including Mons Willy Ngumbi, Bishop of Goma and Mons Faustin Ngabu, Bishop Emeritus of Goma; and Salesian authorities, with Fr Guillermo Basañes, Superior of the Central African Province (AFC), Fr G. Faustin Ngabu, Bishop Emeritus of Goma; and from the Salesian side with Fr Guillermo Basañes, Superior of the Central Africa Province (AFC), Fr Gauthier Tshibangu, Superior of the East Central Africa Provincial Delegation (AFC-EST), and Fr Aurélien Mukangwa, the Superior of the Africa Congo Vice province (ACC) – together with several other Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and young people from the Salesian Youth Movement of the Delegation.
After the welcome at the border, Card. Á.F. Artime and all those who had welcomed him made their way to the Salesian house “Mamma Margherita”, the headquarters of the Delegation, where numerous young people, children and other members of the Salesian Family were anxiously awaiting him and offered him a welcome dance. Then, a brief moment of prayer was held in the chapel, led by the Rector Major himself.
During this prayer, in communion with the Salesian Family, the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco implored the Lord’s blessings for the Congolese people, eager to build a peaceful society based on solidarity and respect for human dignity. He also urged the young people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to grow in holiness by joyfully proclaiming the Gospel; and emphasized that he believes in a better future for the spread of faith, vocations and service to young people with great hope in this part of the AFC Province. Finally, he thanked Mons Ngumbi and the entire Salesian Family for the warm welcome accorded to him.
On his part, the Bishop of Goma wished him a warm welcome and a pleasant stay in Goma. “We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and wish you a pleasant stay with us. You are among your brothers in the Church, God’s family, in Goma,” he said. Then he added that it was not only the Church that welcomed him, but rather the entire population of Goma, represented by the authorities present.
On the same occasion of the greeting to the Rector Major, a representative of the Salesian Family pointed out some strengths and some challenges for all those who share the Salesian charism in the East of the AFC. He began, pointing out the growing number of vocations in the different groups of the Salesian Family and the solid commitment to the neediest minors both in Goma and in many other realities, some as far away as 350 km from the centre of the Delegation. On the other hand, he mentioned the challenges that remain – first of all, a presence of Sons of Don Bosco that is still lacking keeping in mind the great needs of the area; and the “inhuman condition of the population forcibly displaced” because of the war.
“Thank you, Your Eminence, for confirming us in the faith. Your presence here is an eloquent sign of fatherhood, affection and unity for the entire Salesian Family,” was the conclusion of the message.
Following this, the Titular Archbishop of Ursona met over two hundred members of the different branches of the Salesian Family at the Salesian community of “Bosconia-ITIG”. On this occasion, he stressed that he was deeply impressed by the massive presence of the Salesian Family, especially since some people had come from afar to meet him. Concluding his speech, he pointed out that he had wanted to come to Goma for more than four years already and that this visit is very important for him. “It is very significant for me because, after it, I will not make any other visit to a Salesian province as Rector Major of the Congregation,” he said.
Referring to the dispensation received from the Holy Father to lead the Congregation until mid-August, the Rector Major said that Pope Francis truly loves the Salesian Family and has a very special consideration for it.
Card. Á.F. Artime in Goma finally ended in the evening with a private conversation with Bishop Willy Ngumbi.
Despite the situation of insecurity that has characterized the area for months, the Rector Major in Goma strongly wished to reach there and to bring his closeness and that of the entire Congregation to the suffering local population. “Some people thought it was necessary to welcome the Rector Major quietly, so as not to arouse attention… But nothing and no one can extinguish the joy that is here, and the courage that this coming of the Rector Major gives to the people of this area, which is forgotten by many, many people,” commented Fr Owoudou in conclusion.
Source link : https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/21082-democratic-republic-of-congo-rector-major-warmly-welcomed-in-goma
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Publish date : 2024-05-10 07:00:00
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