In the year of Consecrated life (30th November 2014 - 2nd February 2016), Africa/South Africa Bishops pay tribute to the consecrated women and men who founded the local Church. Here are surely included the Sisters of the Holy Family who were an important pioneering presence in South Africa from 25 March 1865 and in Lesotho from 8 April 1865 and continue to minister in those countries.
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) - "Consecrated men and women established the local Church in our dioceses and most of our parishes, serving people of every background in countless ways",say the Bishops of the Southern African Catholic Bishop's Conference (which brings together Bishops of South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana) in their Pastoral Letter dedicated to the Year of Consecrated Life (30thNovember,2014-2nd February2016).
"We pay tribute to all deceased Religious who have served in our Countries and are buried in our soil, sometimes in obscure or forgotten graves. We appreciate all those Religious who have grown old among us, who have given courageous witness and led exemplary lives", continues the document, sent to Agenzia Fides.
The Bishops, after pointing out that the mission of evangelization is a duty of every religious, emphasize the wealth resulting from the presence of religious men and women from different parts of the world. "The witness of internationality and multi-cultural living counteracts the tendency to extreme nationalism. Caring for one another across the boundaries of age and culture and listening to each other with respect encourages all to live the Gospel by openness to the mystery of God in each other".
"We entrust our dear consecrated Brothers and Sisters in a very special way to our Mother’s prayers and to her love. May she share with them, and with all of us, the love which enables them to offer their lives every day for Christ and to cooperate with him in the salvation of the world", the Bishops conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/01/2015)