DownloadAFRICA-MADAGASCAR
Bishops reflect on OMI charismNine of the eleven Oblate bishops of Southern Africa spent five days together reflecting on the Oblate charism in our lives and our ministry as bishops. This is the fourth time that we have come together in this way since 2006. On this occasion we were hosted by Bishop Barry WOOD, auxiliary of Durban. For the first time the Bishop of Mongu (Zambia) was with us, Evans CHINYEMBA.
Our time together was characterised by a deep joy in each other’s’ company and simple friendship. There was time to pray together, reflect on the challenges in our ministry and share on our difficulties. Fr. Eric BOULLE presented his recent work, the English translation of the diary of Bishop Charles JOLIVET(†1903), the second bishop of the Natal Vicariate; and Paddy Kearney, biographer of Archbishop Denis HURLEY (†2004), shared some of the more crucial highlights of Archbishop’s life.
Together we visited places which hold special
meaning for the Oblates in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, among them the first
house and church built by Bishop Jean ALLARD (†1889) and St. Michael’s where Blessed
Joseph GERARD (†1914) began the missionary work among the Zulu people. We
experienced a warm welcome on our visit to St. Joseph’s Scholasticate where
some of us had trained for the priestly ministry. On Sunday we were hosted by
St. Anne’s Parish, Sydenham, where Archbishop Liborius NASHENDA of Windhoek
celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving marking the occasion of his 25 years
of priestly ordination.
Attending the session were the following bishops: Archbishop Tlali LEROTHOLI (Maseru); Archbishop Jabulani NXUMALO (Bloemfontein); Bishop Edward RISI (Keimoes-Upington); Bishop Elect Joseph SEPHAMOLA (Qacha's Nek); Bishop Evans CHINYEMBA (Mongu); Bishop Philipp PÖLLITZER (Keetmanshoop); Archbishop Ndumbukuti NASHENDA (Windhoek); Bishop Augustinus BANE (Leribe); and Bishop Barry WOOD (Auxiliary of Durban). (Reporter: Bishop Edward Risi).
