AMECEA NEWS 22/2003

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AMECEA Social Communications takes this opportunity to wish all our readers a successful and prayerful Advent, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We cannot forget to thank our partners and collaborators who have walked with us and assisted us in one way or another to realize our objectives this year. It is your support, prayers and encouragement which have seen us through. Thank you! We look forward to more collaboration in the coming year. Be assured of our prayers, gratitude and appreciation always.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

KENYA

EMBU GETS A NEW SHEPHERD

His Holiness Pope John Paul II has appointed Rev. Fr. Anthony Muheria a Prelature of Opus Dei as the Bishop of the diocese of Embu. The diocese has been vacant since May 18, 2002 upon the transfer to Nyeri Archdiocese as Coadjutor of its first bishop, Most Rev. John Njue.

Bishop-Elect Muheria was born in Murang'a on May 27 1963. He attended various primary schools in Murang'a, Kirinyaga and Kiambu. He attended Mang'u high school for his secondary education where he sat the "O" level exam in 1978. He was then admitted to Strathmore College for his "A" level for the next two years.

Having excelled in his Form six exams, he joined the University of Nairobi to study Civil Engineering. He graduated with an honours degree in Civil Engineering in 1984 and was immediately employed as a graduate Engineer by Gathaiya Njagi and partners, a firm of Consulting Engineers. He worked for four years in design and supervision of structural works until 1989.
In 1989, the Bishop Elect Muheria joined the "International seminary of the Holy Cross" while attending his Theological studies in the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He was ordained priest on June 13 1993 at the Basilica of the Saint Eugene in Rome. After his ordination, he worked in formation within the Seminary of the Holy Cross for two years.

Bishop-Elect Muheria completed his Doctoral studies in Sacramental Theology in June 1995, and returned to Kenya where he has been mainly involved in the pastoral work within the Prelature of Opus Dei, in which he is incardinated. In these years, he has carried out a wide apostolate of spiritual direction and formation to various groups of people, including preaching many retreats to laymen and diocesan Priests.

CARDINAL MAURICE MICHAEL OTUNGA DIES

His Eminence, Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga, Kenya's first and only cardinal, died on September 6, 2003, after being in hospital for two months. Cardinal Otunga was Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi. He was 81.

Cardinal Otunga retired as Archbishop of Nairobi in 1997, after serving the Archdiocese for 28 years in that position.
He chose a lowly centre for the poor as his retirement home, Nyumba ya Wazee (Kiswahili for 'House of the Aged'), a home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, located just outside the centre of Kenya's capital Nairobi. This was true to his lifestyle as Archbishop: he never went for luxury in life, and always implored his priests to beware materialism as an obstacle to the gospel witness.

MALAWI

MALAWI CATHOLICS URGE MULUZI TO CLOSE BISHOPS MURDER CASE

The Malawi Catholic clerics have told President Bakili Muluzi to stop using the Church to gain political mileage. They have accordingly urged him to avoid discussing the former government's plot to murder Catholic Bishops, after they had issued a critical pastoral letter against the regime's dictatorial leadership. Muluzi in the last few weeks has taken every opportunity to state that he would institute the arrest of one of those alleged to have been involved in the murder scheme more than ten years ago.

In 1992, the Bishops issued a pastoral letter condemning the excessive human rights abuses of the Late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda's government. One of the opposition top contenders for the presidency was one of the strongmen in power when the plot to murder bishops was made. Dr. Muluzi in the then United Democratic Front (UDF) at the time a pressure group teamed up with other opposition colleagues to alert the international community which foiled the murder plans. The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) termed the alleged plot as a bygone issue and urged all politicians not to use the Church to castigate one another. As a Church ECM, stand for peaceful co-existence and work for the good of the country.

SUDAN

SUDAN GETS A CARDINAL

On September 27, 2003, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, appointed Most Rev. Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum Archdiocese in Sudan as a cardinal. Cardinal Wako is the first Sudanese Cardinal. According to His Holiness, appointment of Archbishop Wako as a Cardinal was "first fruit" from Sudan and he described the new primate as a model missionary. He was born February 27, 1941 at Ngomini, Western Bahr El Ghazal in Southern Sudan to Mr. Placido Wako and Felicita Jamo.

Cardinal Wako attended primary school in Nyamlell in South Sudan before joining Bussere Minor Seminary and later Tore River Major Seminary where he was ordained a priest in July 1963. After his ordination he worked at Kwajok between 1972 and 1975. He was Rector of the Minor Seminary and Procurator of Wau Diocese. Cardinal Wako also served as Vicar Delegate and inspector of Boys Scouts for Bahr El Ghazal Province in Wau.

He later went for further theological studies in Rome between 1968 and 1971. In 1974 Cardinal Wako was appointed Bishop of Wau and in April 1975 he was consecrated in Juba. In November 1979, Cardinal Wako was appointed a Coadjutor Archbishop of Khartoum and later he succeeded Archbishop Baroni in October 1981.

From the South Sudan to the North, Cardinal Wako has served the Church and founded many schools and health centers around Khartoum for displaced Southern Sudan.

Cardinal Wako was among 30 cardinals who were formally elevated on Tuesday October 21, 2003 by Pope John Paul II. The ceremony, which was Pope Paul II's ninth consistory, coincided with his 25th Anniversary Celebrations. The College of Cardinals is now composed of 194 cardinals, plus one whose identity is secret; 135 are eligible to elect the future pope since they are less than 80 years of age.

POPE PROPOSES A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

His Holiness Pope John Paul II has proposed reviving of a project on a Catholic University in the Sudan. The Catholic Bishops Conference launched the project early 1980s with the support of both the Holy See and the government but Sudan's political situation then degenerated and the bishops halted the project.

The Pope made the suggestion recalling the founder of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and of the Comboni Sisters, a land Saint Comboni loved. According to the Pope, he is convinced that such a university will offer a qualified service to the whole Sudanese society.

The project to renew the construction of the university was relaunched last month in a letter signed by Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum Archdiocese addressed to all women and men concerned about the tragic situation of war in Sudan. According to him, the absence of lay Catholics, men and women, committed and qualified in public life, is the reason for the absence of Christian values in social life since in the last few decades the country has seen projects of Islamization. He also lamented that Islam is Sudan's sole intellectual and cultural source and therefore should the present government approve the Comboni University of Sudan, it would mean an opening of intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

In conclusion, Cardinal Wako hoped that the university would start in Khartoum and later extend to the various dioceses of Sudan as the case was with the Comboni Schools.

AFRICAN CARDINALS APPOINTED TO THE CURIA

His Holiness Pope John Paul II has appointed the new cardinals to the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, among them the new African Cardinals who were elevated officially last month. This move will see many of the appointees serving in several Vatican councils and congregations.

Cardinals Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Sudan and Anthony Olubunmi Okogie of Nigeria have been appointed to the Congregation for the Evangelization of peoples, among five others.

A statement released on Monday November 24 by the Vatican Press Office, said that Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana was appointed to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Cardinal Wako was also appointed to the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum', while Cardinal Okogie and Cardinal Turkson will serve in the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Goods of the Church respectively.

ZAMBIA

BISHOP DENNIS DE JONG DIED

Rt. Rev. Dennis De Jong, Bishop of Ndola Diocese in Zambia died. Bishop De Jong passed away on the night of September 16, 2003 in his sleep. He was 72 years old. Bishop De Jong was at the time of his death the Bishop Chairman of the Communications Commission in Zambia Episcopal Conference and was once the Chairman of AMECEA from 1986-1989.
He was laid to rest on September 20, 2003 in the Cathedral Parish grounds.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS HONOURED

Archbishops Adrian Mung'andu - Archbishop Emeritus Lusaka and Merdado Mozombwe (Archbishop of Lusaka) and Bishop Raymond Mpezele of Livingstone Diocese in Zambia were among the thirty-seven (37) people who were honoured by the President of Zambia Levy Mwanawasa during the country's Independent Celebration on 24th October 2003 in an investiture ceremony. The three were awarded an honour the order of distinguished service, first division. The ceremony was the first held at Independence Day Celebrations in the last 10 years. However, Bishop Mpezele declined to receive the honour citing his unworthiness because there are senior bishops who have contributed to the nation and Church more than him.

AMECEA SECRETARIAT

PEACE BUILDING WORKSHOP IS HELD

The AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk organized a workshop with the theme Peace Building and Reconciliation for Pastoral Agents working with Refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs). It was held in Mary Ward Centre in Nairobi, Kenya from November 2 - 7, 2003. The workshop is as a result of one of the recommendations made by the AMECEA Bishops in their 14th Plenary Assembly, July 2002.

The workshop attracted thirty-two participants drawn from Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. It was animated by the Jesuits Refugee Service in Nairobi. It was aimed at equipping these pastoral agents with the knowledge on how to help refugees become peace builders and tools to help them in their ministry. Among those present was Rt. Rev. Boniface Lele of Kitui Diocese in Kenya who is the Bishop in charge of the Refugees in Kenya. In his address he reminded the participants that anyone can be a refugee any time hence called them to care for the refugees and IDPs through building trust, and being compassionate reduce their sufferings.

Addressing the workshop, Msgr. Michael Charo Ruwa, the AMECEA Secretary General stressed the need for justice which is the beginning of peace (peace of heart, social peace and liberating peace) and generosity, which makes peace alive. According to him for the church to fulfill the role of evangelizing, it needs to form its own pastoral agents who can then meet the challenges of evangelization.

At the end of the workshop the participants made recommendations among them a follow up workshop on peace building and reconciliation.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY JANUARY 18-25, 2004

In the final message issued by the AMECEA Plenary Assembly in Dar es Salaam in 2002, under the theme:" Deeper Evangelisation in the third Millennium", our Pastors and Bishops emphasised the need for active and full participation of the entire People of God in the Region in the Evangelisation to become fully "Witnesses in the Family of God".
Together with their Christian and religious communities they committed themselves to promote wholeheartedly Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Region (cf. final message n°3). One of their most outstanding pastoral resolutions in this field stressed on "prayer and common prayer services as well as collaborating with other Churches and Religious Groups in addressing common social problems".

For the coming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, next January and according to the invitation of our Bishops, all are invited to join all together into the Prayer of Jesus Himself: "That all me be one…" (Jn. 17,21.)

The Prayer for Christian Unity is a shared initiative of the Catholic Church, in communion with many other Christian Churches, for a long time already! The traditional date for a week of Prayer is 18-25 January, dates proposed in 1908 by Paul Watson, between the feast of St. Peter and the feast of St Paul, having therefore a symbolic meaning. If it is more suitable, it could even be celebrated around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for the Unity of the Church. Since 1968 the theme of the Prayer Week is prepared jointly by the World Council of Churches' (WCC-Geneva) Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU-Rome).

The central theme of the Prayer Week in 2004 is PEACE. The central Biblical text (Jn 14:23-31), taken from Jesus farewell discourse, relates the Lord's assuring words to his disciples: "My peace I give you" (v.27). The chosen theme seems timelier then ever.

To those responsible for co-ordinating the "Prayer Week for Unity" it is suggested that you do the following: Contact your Parish Council or local communities and invite them:

- To see locally, according to the options and the possibilities of each local community how to promote the initiative of the proposed Week of prayer for Christian Unity. Your communities could be addressed and become the caretakers of those initiatives through your good inspiration.
- To invite them to take the initiative to come together as a prayer community, inviting other local communities (religious communities, other Churches…), and some involved people - perhaps some of your colleagues belonging to other Christian Churches- to join in common prayer and sharing.
- To contact in a personal way one of the nearby Christian Churches to express the desire of Unity among Christian Churches, in mutual acceptance and recognition.

May the Lord bless our genuine desire and prayer: "May all be one.., so that the world may believe it was You who sent me" Jn 17,21.

VATICAN

MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIMS

The President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligous Dialogue, Most Rev. Michael L. Fitzgerald has sent a message of good will to the Muslims faithful at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In his message, Archbishop Fitzgerald has stressed on the need to construct peace. Quoting the letter of Pope John XXIII entitled Pacem in Terris, "Peace on Earth" which suggested that peace is an edifice resting on four pillars: Truth, Justice, Love and Freedom. Each of these values has to be present for good and harmonious relations between peoples and between nations.

Truth as one of the pillars remind human beings to fulfil the will of God, who is the Creator of all and the Absolute Truth. In human relations truth implies sincerity, essential to mutual confidence and fruitful dialogue leading to peace. Truth brings each individual to acknowledge his or her own rights and duties towards others. Peace cannot exist without justice, which include respect for the dignity and rights of each human person. Lack of this essential pillar causes unrest in the world today and brings about violence. The ability to recognize that we all belong to one human family and to see our fellow human beings as brothers and sisters is love which gives us the capacity to share both sorrows and joys. Love makes people feel the needs of others as if they were one's own and therefore leads to sharing their own gifts with others both material and values of mind and spirit. Love makes allowances for weakness and so it gives room for forgiveness which is essential to restore peace when conflict has broken out. Love for others opens the possibility of beginning again on a new basis. The last pillar is freedom which allows people to act according to reason and to assume responsibility for their own actions.

Archbishop Fitzgerald added prayer as another pillar. Human beings need God's help in order to live up to the ideals. Quoting Pope John Paul II where the he said that prayer is not a form of escapism but allows us to face reality with a strength which comes from God. "If peace is God's gift and has its source in him, where are we to seek it and how can we build it, if not in a deep and intimate relationship with God? To build peace of order, justice and freedom requires, therefore, a priority commitment to prayer, which is openness, listening, dialogue and finally union with God, the prime wellspring of true peace".

In conclusion, Archbishop Fitzgerald reminded the Muslim that Ramadan is a period of intense prayer besides fasting praying to God that he may grant them the strength to be true constructors of peace.

VATICAN IS OPEN TO BECOMING A FULL MEMBER OF U.N.

On September 21, 2003, the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said that the Holy See was prepared to become a full member of the United Nations. Till now the Holy See is a permanent observer of the United Nations allowing it to address meetings called by that organization but has no voting powers.

Since 1978, the Holy See has established diplomatic relations with 82 countries, increasing the total number to 174. According to Cardinal Sodano, the papal sovereignty in the international realm is not determined by its temporal power. Instead the law noted that the Holy See is placed within the international ordering according to its own spiritual character. He also stressed that in carrying out the Church's 'diplomatic" activity, its representatives pursue the role of safeguarding and promotion of the legitimate good of the Church, and service to all peoples, regardless of their religious faith. That way the Holy See does not act with calculations of economic strength, but bases itself solely on the power of persuasion and patience in dialogue.

In conclusion he said that because of the Holy See religious nature, its stresses the primacy of peace by virtue of its universal nature it follows with concern all the critical situations in the world. Finally because of its humanitarian nature, it insists that all proper measures be taken in favor of civil populations. (Source ZENIT)

THE IMPORTANT LIFE LANDMARKS OF THE TWO AMECEA FATHERS

THE LIFE OF THE LATE MAURICE MICHAEL OTUNGA

In January 1923 A.D. in the village of Chebukwa, a child was born to one of many of the wives of paramount chief, Mr. Wasike Lusweti Sudi. The name of the child was Otunga and his mother was Namisi. Naturally he became a member of his father's clan, the Bakhone of the Bukusu tribe. Just like a child of his time, Otunga grew among a thick forest of children, a product of one Chief and forty wives.

When Otunga attained the required age of eight years, his education-loving father Sudi, sent him to start school at Kibabii: that was 1931. It is as if there were some problems, for he was later enrolled at Sijei, which was far away from home. Here Otunga was treated not like a son of a Chief but just like any other boy. Here he did well in his studies, and by 1934 he knew not only how to write and read but also did well in his catechism. It is at the same year that he was returned back to Kibabii to continue with his education, and later to be baptized in 1934 together with other fifty candidates. He chose the name Maurice.

After Otunga completed his primary level of education, he together with his brother Henry Kerre, made a long journey from Western Province to Eastern Province to join Kabaa; a school that was ran by the Holy Ghost Fathers.
It is here at Kabaa that Otunga decided to try to find out whether he had a vocation to priesthood, when one, Fr. P.P. White walked into the classroom and asked the boys as to who would like to go to the seminary. Otunga shot up his hand. By now he had been conferred the Sacrament of confirmation, here at Kabaa and had been given the name Michael. He was among the six boys who opted for priesthood, and right away they started learning Latin, which was then the language of the Universal Church.

In 1939 the secondary part of the school was moved to Mang'u and Otunga was among the thirty-five boys who qualified to join form one.

In 1941 he sat for Kenya African Secondary Education, which was a mid-high school examination and passed very well. This was followed by another success in Cambridge examination in 1943. By this time he was still under twenty years of age, but his teachers did not hesitate to state, "He was one of the finest characters ever in Mangu."
Otunga by this time attained the age of introduction to the rite of passage to manhood. It is said that at a certain stage of the ceremony of this initiation his father, Sudi placed a special cloak of the finest gazelle skins over Otunga's shoulders and a staff in his hand as a clear indication that this was the favoured son, and therefore if Sudi's will were to be fulfilled Otunga would be the next chief.

At the end of the rituals Otunga became a mature Bukusu man just as he became a mature Christian when he was confirmed at Kabaa in 1938.

It is after this ceremony, which took place during the August school holidays in 1943, that Otunga had to go back to Mangu in October and take his final examination that is; Cambridge examination as has been earlier mentioned.
After the results were out Otunga had a decision to make; Makerere College in Uganda was beckoning to him for a University degree, but that little thing in his heart calling him to join the seminary for priesthood was not giving in. It was after a prayerful time and wise advice from Fr. De Reeper (who later became Bishop of Kisumu) that Otunga surrendered to the vocation to priesthood, and joined Ggaba Senior Seminary for philosophical studies.

The vocation to priesthood was very strong in Otung'a heart. But could he go without the consent of his mother Namisi and his father Chief Sudi? To the mother his asked, "If I go to the seminary will you curse me?" "No" was the answer, but in her heart Namisi thought that Otunga would be won back to the traditional family later.

To the father it was first by greeting him, "Murembe Papa" that is "Peace be upon you father". And then straight to the point "I want to go to the seminary". No answer, could Otunga stand there and wait for an answer, which could be forthcoming after half an hour or a day or a week or a month as it was habitual with his father? The answer came when Otunga stood before his father together with a beer-drinking group. "Do you know where that boy is going?" he asked them pointing to Otunga. "Where they do not marry". Then he added, "Let him go and find out for himself. I have seen many go to Nyenga the Minor Seminary (in Uganda) and later leave. Let him go". And Otunga went; he found it for himself but he never turned back; he lived his priestly vocation faithfully and fruitfully until he passed on to the eternal life to meet the priest of priests, Jesus Christ.
For his priestly formation Otunga first joined Mukumu Junior Seminary to be prepared to join Ggaba Seminary, which he did in 1947. After he completed two years of philosophy, Otunga was sent to Rome to continue with Theology. He arrived in Rome in December 1947, and joined Collegio Urbaniano propaganda fide. Together with Otunga were other students from 56 different countries of the world. All together were about 200 young men at the time.

After completion of his Theological studies in Urbaniano Otunga was ordained a priest in the order of Melchisedech in October 3, 1950 and was granted his licentiate in Theology in September 1951. While in Collegio Urbaniano, "He was a man who had real desire to love and indeed loved people". This gift of loving lived with him throughout his serving period.
Fr. Otunga arrived in Kenya, now a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in 1951. His first posting was St. Peter's Seminary Kakamega, an apostolate he did for three years.

From St. Peter Seminary Kakamega, the next assignment was to become a private secretary to Archbishop James Knox in Mombasa who later became Cardinal.

Fr. Otunga carried his work as a secretary for three years. When needs arose, Otunga offered his services to Mapuka Parish in Mombasa as well as visiting the sick in a hospital at port Reitz.

In November 1956 Fr. Otunga was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop to help in Kisumu Diocese. He was only 33 years old. He became the first Kenyan Bishop, and you can now imagine how difficult his work could have been in those pre-independence days. His consecration to the Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu took place in 1957, and right away Bishop Otunga braced bravely for the task ahead, difficult, as it could have been.

The next post from Kisumu for Bishop Otunga was the Diocese of Kisii in 1960. His apostolate there was no less difficult than Kisumu, but with the grace of God he managed to do better even with priests who might have proved hard-headed. As he progressed his missionaries got used to him just as he got used to them.

At this point it is good to mention that, it is when a Bishop that he got one of his greatest joys; his father Sudi embraced the Christian faith and was baptized. Later he died at the age of 95 holding a rosary, and was buried holding it. His mother too died a Christian, but this time her son Otunga was not just a bishop but a Cardinal. She died at the age of 85.

Bishop Otunga was the Bishop of Kisii Diocese when Kenya attained its independence in 1963 and he and an Anglican Bishop Festo Olang had the privilege of blessing a new Nation.

As if the responsibility of shepherding the faithful of Kisii was not enough, Bishop Otunga was appointed the Bishop of the Armed Forces in 1964. As it will turn our later he carried this responsibility until when a new Bishop of the Military Ordinariate was appointed in 1997, in the person of His Lordship Bishop Alfred Rotich.

Cardinal Otunga carried this responsibility with great prudence. As a Bishop of the Armed Forces he worn the love of many soldiers because of the manner he too loved them. To them he was an old man who carried the head of a young man. His memory was very sharp and well conditioned like a well-maintained gun.

From Kisii Diocese the next stop-over and final as a Diocesan Bishop was the Archdiocese of Nairobi, which he joined in 1969 as a coadjutor, that is, with the power or right of succeeding the then Archbishop J.J. Mc Carthy, of which he did in 1971. Here he had to be very strong and firm and level-headed to the challenges of a young nation, a steady growing young church and not forgetting the growing city of Nairobi.

The answer to this challenge was to invite as many missionaries as possible, and of course to gear up the promotion of vacations to diocesan priests: the latter he did with great success.

Just as it had happened before, Archbishop Otunga had received a telegram to inform him that he was to be created a Cardinal and so, on March 5 1973, His Grace Archbishop Otunga was created a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The actual creation ceremony took place in Rome. Among many people of all walks of life who received him back to Kenya, was his mother Rosa Namisi.

During His Eminence Cardinal Otunga's apostolate, the diocese has experienced much growth in diocesan priests personnel; great growth in administrative deaneries and parishes. But one greatest inheritance everyone can testify is the great love he had for his priests and sisters and more so to the faithful and people of Kenya.

He retired from active ministry in 1997 to a home of the aged people at Kasarani. Nobody could separate him from the people he faithfully served in his youthful days. In Nyumba ya Wazee, Cardinal Otunga was very much at home with the other senior citizens. These old men and women derived great joy to have their great shepherd near them during their sunset days.
On September 6 2003, His Eminence Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga left to join our Christians ancestors in Heaven. He died at Mater Hospital Nairobi, his hospital for many years.

Today we can echo the words of His Grace Raphael Simon Ndingi Mwana 'a Nzeki; that we are here to bid farewell to a good, humble, simple and holy priest. Yes simplicity and love for all, was the hallmark of Cardinal Otunga our spiritual father, an in flesh son of Sudi and Namisi of Bukusu tribe of Makhone Clan.

As we bid farewell to Cardinal Otunga and we burry his remains, let us not forget what he always wished for all of us, priests, sisters, the faithful and the people of Kenya: that we love one another. He preached love, lived love and he passed on loving.

May his soul enjoy eternal bliss. Amen

Complied by Rev. Fr. Dominic Kianduma

TRIBUTE TO CARDINAL OTUNGA BY SECAM SECRETARIAT

It was with profound sorrow and pain that we learned of the death of His Eminence Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga, Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, which occurred on early Saturday, 6 September 2003. We are all deeply grieved.
I stand here on behalf of the President of the "Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar" (SECAM), the Most Revd. Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, the members of the SECAM Standing Committee, the Staff of SECAM General Secretariat and, indeed on my own behalf. I hasten to bring to the local Church of Kenya and in particular to the local Church of Nairobi, our sincere condolences. We want all the members of the Catholic Church of Kenya and all the people of good will in this country to know how deeply we sympathise with you all on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Otunga.

We mourn the passing of one whose dedication to his pastoral and Episcopal ministry and the simplicity and the Gospel-filled values style of life were just admirable.

We mourn the passing of one whose friendship we shall all remember with gratitude and affection and whose charming and gifted personality will be missed by all who knew him.

His Eminence the late Cardinal Otunga was one of the Founding Fathers of SECAM. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly for the promotion of the organic pastoral solidarity among the Bishops of Africa, Madagascar and the Surrounding Islands. His concern for the promotion of justice and peace, his concern for the promotion of human rights and the integral development of the human person were very close to his heart. His concern for the well-being of the refugees, displaced and dispersed peoples were his daily concerns. He languished and lamentated for the poor, the suffering and for those without a place they could call and hold as their own home.

The Bishops of Africa and Madagascar shall never forget one of his three suggestions that the late Cardinal Otunga made during the African Synod (1994) in respect of Evangelisation as Justice and Peace. The Cardinal called out: "Bishops in Africa and Madagascar, conscious of our divine mandate to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to preach the Good News of eternal salvation to every creature in Africa and Madagascar, come up with a guideline to work and to feel and follow up evermore in solidarity to obstacles, particularly political ones, against evangelisation as Justice and Peace". Cardinal Otunga was never tired of fighting against corruption and injustice among the People of God. He was always in forefront in the promotion of the building up of the Church-as-Family of God in Africa and Madagascar.

In the passing away of His Eminence, the Church in Africa and Madagascar has lost a great man, a great son of Africa, the defender of faith and the defender of gospel values.

May the Good Lord whom the late Cardinal Otunga so faithfully served grant him eternal rest and may Our Saviour Jesus Christ console the members of his family in this hour of sadness.

The thoughts and prayers of the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar are with the local Church of Kenya and with all the People of Kenya. The Bishops of Africa and Madagascar say to Cardinal Otunga: "A Dieu"! Till we meet again!"

By Revd. Fr. Peter LWAMINDA, Secretary General of SECAM

THE LATE BISHOP DENNIS DE JONG

Bishop Dennis H. De Jong lived a simple life based on the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a committed wonderful man who cared for the needy and vulnerable in society. He was a fearless voice for the poor and opposed injustice in its various manifestations in society. By his inspirational and charismatic leadership, Bishop De Jong helped the Catholic Diocese of Ndola to become a credible institution providing religious, social, cultural and economic development to the people of the Copperbelt province of Zambia.

God chose that a dynamic and accomplished shepherd, Dennis De Jong should not undergo an agonizing death but die peacefully. He died in his sleep and his face was that of a relaxed sleeping man. Dennis De Jong was born 2nd May 1931 near Chipata in the eastern province of Zambia, the first child in a family of five children. In 1938 he started primary schooling at Chipata Primary School. He completed secondary education at St. John's Missionary School in Harare, now Zimbabwe in 1951 and worked as an untrained teacher at the same school for a year. He did his priestly training and formation in Rome, Italy from 1952 to 1958 where he was ordained a priest on 20th December 1958. Bishop De Jong did not like talking about his academic qualifications but had Masters Degrees in Philosophy and in Sacred Theology. From 1959 to 1960 he studied education in London and obtained a diploma in Education after which he was appointed Rector of Francis dale Minor Seminary in Ndola. He worked as Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ndola from 1967 to 1970 and was appointed bishop of Ndola on 10th July 1975 and ordained bishop on 28th September 1975.

Bishop De Jong served as President of the Zambia Episcopal Conference from 1978 to 1984. He was also the President of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) from 1986 to 1989. Under his able leadership Ndola Diocese initiated various programs and projects on health, justice and peace, housing, community radio and vocational training to mention but a few. Bishop De Jong's exceptional leadership and concern for the poor earned him the African Leadership Award by the New York based Hunger project on September 21, 2001. Two months before his death on June 28, 2003 the Rotary Club of Ndola bestowed on him the honor of best citizen of the year under the "Citizenship Award, 2002-2003" for his outstanding community and social work in the Copperbelt Province. Bishop De Jong will be missed and remembered in different ways as: Christian- a dedicated loving shepherd. Zambia Episcopal Conference - a pillar of charismatic and visionary leadership. Ndola Diocesan Clergy - a strict caring father who wanted the best for his children. Women - an advocate of gender justice and the promotion of women. Youth - a true friend. Journalists - an advocate of media freedom, democracy and social responsibility. Politicians - a forceful voice against abuse of the poor, an opponent of the third term campaign. Economists - a debt cancellation campaigner and advocate of economic liberation. Foreign Donors - one of the most progressive Bishops in Africa.

Bishop De Jong was buried on September 20, 2003 at the Cathedral of Christ the King parish grounds.

May his Soul rest in Peace.

By Yatsani Studios

TRIBUTE TO BISHOP DE JONG BY ZAMBIAN VICE PRESIDENT DR. NEVERS MUMBA

On behalf of the government, I come to share this great sorrow with the Catholic Church and Church Fraternity at large. Our prayers are with you and our prayers are here during this tragic season and moment. Although there seems to be a cloud hanging over our country today at this moment because of passing away of Bishop De Jong, however there is hope in our hearts to all who knows God. For closing our eyes in this physical life does not signifying the passing away of the plan of God for our lives but going back to be with the one who's plan we are. The scriptures stays that the day of death is better than the day of birth. As a young preacher I struggled to understand this meaning of the scripture but I now understand well because during the day of birth there are no achievements, catalogue of efforts but funeral history left behind a version to recount memories, the achievements unknown from experiences. To better those works those we meant work remains that is what life of Bishop De Jong not only to Catholic Church but also to this country. Life fellow mourners brothers and sisters is not a measure of reigns but it's a depth. There are those people and even bishops who lived long but never had a funeral of this nature. Life is not measured by how long you lived, how many years you lived but how deep your life was. That depth is not of measured by material possession or riches or position you occupied for all these come and go but all that list men and women remains in the pluckers across the world like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Martin Luther King Junior of United State of America, Jesus Christ of Nazareth they have one thing in common begotten who they are reached down to the poor and concentrated in improving the life of less privilege.

I want to take this opportunity to add to the list of good men and women. Bishop De Jong lived not for himself, spoke for the voiceless lived for the weak confronted those authorities and powers that tried to overlook those need for the poor and cry of those who have little this is Christianity in action. These in my view is what Zambia has lost, the quality of Christian leadership that criticizism with objectivity. When late Bishop De Jong criticized you whether you are a politician or just an ordinary person his critizing short and precise covered in love that combination is rare, because he never criticized to destroy but to built and give an opportunity. I am confident that Zambia is going to learn something from this servant of God that has left us today that we may use this sad moment to transform it into a legacy for the country that we differ on issues but still hold hands together as one great family looking different, speaking different languages with different colours of skin but one family washed in the same blood of Jesus Christ.

So today as a government we came to give support, offer our voice to say that Bishop De Jong life is a life well spent a life well lived and all that is left for us in our life today is to pray in our private chambers that 'Lord teach me that in my life that I may not live for myself' because all these people with all the money and everything else may never have a funeral like this. That the Bishop with something very little to listen very ordinary is being sent off in such a wonderful manner. Fellow mourners brothers and sisters may the spirit of unity that Bishop De Jong preached may it engulf our country that love in diversity with one another regardless of differences.

To the Catholic Church be strong and be of good courage. The same God who has brought you this far will take you all the way. So long Bishop De Jong! So long Bishop De Jong so long so long!!!

FAREWELL BISHOP!

The devastating news reached me as I was trying to take a day off to rest after running around like mad, as I usually do. It was then that the telephone call came to tell me that Bishop Dennis Harold de Jong, the Bishop of Ndola Diocese, had passed on. I was shocked, if not confused! It was more devastating due to its suddenness.

This is the man I have known since I was 14. That was the time I joined the minor seminary - a little more than thirty years ago, in 1971, to be exact. He was then not the Bishop of Ndola but a Monsignor, or senior priest in the diocese. He used to come to our Minor Seminary, from time to time, to give us spiritual talks. We used to be impressed with him, through and through, not only by his insightful and wit filled talks, but also the seriousness with which he took his priesthood. Needless to say he became a role model for many of us.

He has been a role model for me since… and now he is no more!! Indeed, God's ways are not our ways!
He was made Bishop, in July 1972, the year I finished secondary school. I decided to carry on with my priestly studies and applied to go to the Major Seminary. It was then that I came to know him better. He now became my Bishop in a close sort of way. As a diocesan student priest, and later on as an ordained diocesan priest, you are ordained for your Bishop. He becomes your one and only "boss". This is why it is inevitable to deal with your Bishop closely.

From that privileged closeness to him as diocesan priests, he would dream with us on the future of the diocese. He had all kinds of ideas about how he wanted to see the diocese evolve. He saw two intertwining values at the heart of this vision: prayer and action. He would talk to us on how he wanted to have an action oriented diocese. He wanted to have Christians who were not merely baptized but Christians who were active in reaching out to others in their day to day life.
As for us in priesthood, he always said he wanted us to get the best education possible so that we could then make meaningful contribution to the people in the diocese.

I, personally, am what I am due to the support and prompting I have received over the years from Bishop de Jong. I owe him the opportunity I have had to study at home and abroad. I could even emphasize here that he allowed me to branch off into secular area of study, sociology. He understood that I was a social pastoral ministry enthusiast and allowed me to pursue that line of ministry. He saw pastoral work as embracing the social sphere - making its critical need for the diocese. Hence, in spite of rumblings from certain quarters, as to why he was allowing a priest to do studies that had very little to do with the day to day pastoral work of a priest, he stood by me and even got me the scholarship I needed to study abroad. My example is just one of many since there are many more priests that have gone my route through the largesse and support of the Bishop.
He is one person who lived up to see most of the dreams he had for the diocese become a reality. He leaves behind a diocese that has invested heavily in human development. Both clergy, and laity, have been exposed to a whole range of training and formation opportunities. All these have borne fruit that, today, Ndola diocese is renowned for its vibrancy.
The diocese is an active partner in many development programmes in the towns of the Copper belt. The Home Based Care programme run by the diocese has become a model, not only in the country but also in the region. The diocesan-run Radio Icengelo has been a pioneer in popular broadcasting. The Diocese also runs an agricultural training center, as well as numerous other community projects.

All these achievements would not have been possible had it not been for the farsightedness of Bishop de Jong.
He was not only a man of action but a deeply spiritual person too, who spent many hours each day in personal prayer. It is this deep identification with Jesus Christ which motivated him in his abounding love and concern for the poor. It is this that made him fearless to act. Those old enough will remember him standing before bulldozers to prevent them from razing down houses of poor people in Mackenzie Township in Ndola, in the mid 1980s.

His fearless stance on various issues made him known all over the country. He wanted to see the state truly at the service of the people especially the poor. This made him a committed campaigner for causes that hinged on human development. He was a regular figure for such causes as the debt cancellation campaign; the Oasis Forum led No-Third-Term campaign, and a constantly critical voice regarding good governance and other issues.

Bishop de Jong was a living example of the often talked about link between faith and life. He was not just a man of deep personal prayer but that faith always moved him to action.

Even when he was misquoted once, that he had called for a coup, and called all kinds off names by the state media, Bishop de Jong remained steadfast. He continued to, fearlessly, challenge the powers that be when it was necessary. It is this shining example that we shall miss dearly. It is a tragic loss, not only to Catholic Diocese of Ndola and the Catholic Church in general, but also a huge loss to the whole nation. The poor have lost a voice that spoke out for them. They have lost a person who stood with them in their struggle for a better life. The Church has lost an articulate voice in matters pertaining to the Church's social teaching.

The only hope is that his style of life may have left an imprint in our hearts, that is, those of us who have remained behind. It is a challenge for us to keep the flame of the quest for social justice burning.
That is the best we can give to the memory of Bishop de Jong.

By Fr. Joe Komakoma, Zambia Catholic Justice and Peace

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