Guardian Angels ~ Fr Ripperger

ACN-USA News - Central African Republic Catholic community comes back to life in wake of massacre

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE who have died as a result of the Nov. 15, 2018 terrorist attacks on the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in the Diocese of Alindao, Central African Republic, and on the refugee camp right next to it, continues to rise. The number of dead has now reached 80, including two priests and a Protestant pastor.

The local Church published a report to analyze the details of the tragedy, which marked an upsurge of violence targeting Christians in the south of the country.

"The people, who almost all fled into the forest, are now returning, hoping to be able to find a few grains of rice that they can eat and foraging among the ashes for any beans that have been only partially burned.” These are the word of Bishop Cyr-Nestor Yapaupa of Alindao.

The refugee camp, which once sheltered more than 26,000 people and was supervised by the priests of the diocese, has now been totally destroyed. "The elderly and the handicapped were simply burned alive—if they were not already shot dead or beheaded,” said the bishop.

He continued: "In their panic, many parents were forced to leave one or other of their children behind in order to save the others. The attackers simply fired indiscriminately on the people.”

“Fire tore through the reception center and several of the church buildings. The cathedral lost its roof. The terrorists stole cars, motorcycles, and solar panels, food from the storeroom, money and fuel."

There are more than 14 different armed groups scattered across the Central African Republic. The president of the country, Faustin Touadéra, does not have the resources to control the activities of these groups.

They are the remnants of the civil war that started in 2013, and which dissolved into clashes between the Seleka rebels—an almost entirely Muslim coalition—and the so-called "anti-balaka,” initially a self-defense militia, which ultimately degenerated into gangs of animist and nominally ‘Christian’ youths.

A Muslim militia, an offshoot of the Seleka, was behind the November 2019 attack. The group is ironically named "Unity and Peace in Central Africa" (UPC).  The UPC considered the assault a legitimate defensive measure, as anti-balaka militants had killed two Muslims in Alindao.

However, Church sources charged that the massacre was the UPC’s way to enrich its depleted coffers, with Alindao "a flourishing commercial center, and a cow to be milked.”

Earlier last fall, the UPC lost control of gold and diamond mines that provided the group’s funding. Local traders had begun protesting against being extorted by the UPC; the group was desperate for an alternative source of income.

"Organized and structured as she is, the Catholic Church plays a fundamental role in responding to the local humanitarian crisis,” Bishop Yapaupa explained. The Church maintains relations with the humanitarian agencies, with the president and the UN military mission, MINUSCA, in the country.

At the same time, however, said the bishop, the Church is an "object of covetousness,” and an institution that militants would like to bring down.

A source reported that "two days before the tragedy, the leader of the UPC was received by the Mauritanian UN contingent." The diocese considers this meeting as having been possibly one of "consensual planning” or outright collusion—the Mauritanian troops failed to intervene during the attack.

The leaders of the three main faith communities in the Central African Republic – Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui, Protestant Pastor Guerekoyame Gbangou and Imam Omar Kobine Layama—have called for an investigation by the international community.

"We have lost everything, except our faith,” Bishop Yapaupa said. He added: "We can still look into the eyes of our enemy and offer him our sincere pardon, without giving way to a spirit of vengeance or fear."

Aid to the Church in Need is providing emergency funds to help the Catholic community, as well as Mass stipends to help the local clergy in this situation of total desolation.

—Emmanuelle Kaeser

With picture of devastation in the Diocese of Alindao (© ACN)

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax 718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384.  www.churchinneed.org

ACN-USA News - Indonesia - Being faithful on Madura Island requires patience and courage

MADURA is an Indonesian island south of Java. Its population of some 7 million people is mostly Muslim; there are very few Christians. But one man converted to Catholicism,

Damianus Edi Rusmanto. Edi belongs to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Sumenep. The parish has 500 members, most of them ethnic Chinese. As a person of Madurese descent who converted to Christianity, Edi has been harshly treated by neighbors and former friends; and his attempts to teach the community about tolerance continue to require great patience. Edi told his story to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN):

“When I was old enough to begin elementary school, my father sent me to a Catholic school in Sumenep, next to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church. There, I met the Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of the East; when I was in the Fifth Grade, I asked my father if I could become a Catholic. He did not forbid it. Instead, he supported me. He told me to take my faith seriously. I was eventually baptized, and my family soon followed.

“We are grateful to be Catholic and pray together, though we understand that we will face rejection. When my friends learned that I was Catholic, they mocked and stoned me, but I chose to be steadfast and forgive them as Jesus would; I’ve even tried to remain friendly with them. Jesus has taught me to love and forgive all, even those who do evil.

“Eighteen years ago, I married Yustina, and we have been blessed with two daughters, Maria Angela and Benedikta. Maria is in her third year of High School, and Benedikta is in the Fourth Grade. Again, because we are Catholic, some neighbors do not accept us. Even so, I try to be friendly and greet them whenever I see them.

“Christmas is always a happy time for my family. I decorate the house with various trinkets and prepare gifts for our neighbors, though I know that those who are prejudiced will refuse them. I do this because Christmas is a time of gratitude—Jesus gave His life for us.

“I hope that my family remains blessed by God, and that my children grow up to pray diligently and treat others well. It is not easy to be Catholic on Madura Island, and I pray that my children will keep their faith. My wife and I do our best to keep them close to God.”

In 2017, Aid to the Church in Need supported the Church in Indonesia with projects totaling $300,000.

—Antonius Eko Sugiyanto

With picture of Edi and his family, including his mother, Supartinem (© ACN)

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax 718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384.  www.churchinneed.org

ACN-USA News - Catholic mother fights child marriages, empowers girls in Kenya

Because of poverty and illiteracy, child marriages are still very common in Kenya. Inspired by her own experience, the founder and director of the Single Mothers Association of Kenya, Angelina Nandwa, rescues young girls from their marriages and offers them spiritual, academic, and economic support. She told her story to international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need:

“My name is Angelina Okweya Nandwa. I am 64 and the mother of nine children; three are biologically mine, and six were adopted from my deceased relatives. I am a Catholic by birth.

“My relatives and I are members of the local church and a community prayer group, and I am a member of the Catholic Women’s Association, which consoles members in times of need and visits the sick, the elderly, and orphans.

“I studied at Our Lady of Mercy Girls’ Primary School, and while there, I received the sacraments under the guidance of strict Catholic nuns from Northern Ireland. We observed all Catholic teachings, and confession was required every Saturday.

“When I was 17, I came home on holiday and learned that my cousin had found a 60-year-old divorcee—and father of six—to marry me. My resistance fell on deaf ears, and I gave in for fear of curses from my parents, who had already accepted the offer.

“I led a sad, frustrating, and lonely life. My new family mistreated me. I was basically hired help: no one was allowed to help me with housework, and whenever they were around, I sat in the kitchen alone. I think that the man needed someone to care for his children, but not a life partner.

“During my first pregnancy, I suffered from depression and nearly fatal high blood pressure. Thanks to God’s love, we both survived, though the baby weighed only one kilogram [about 2.2 pounds] and was put in an incubator for three months.  

“When I left the hospital, nothing changed. I did not have a helper, and my husband would not allow anyone to visit for fear that they would convince me to leave him.

“While I was pregnant with my second child, I woke up one day, looked at myself in the mirror, and realized that I’d had enough. I returned to my parents, who welcomed me back. I forgave them for [forcing me into the] marriage. I drew strength from Sunday readings of the liturgy, my prayers, and the rosary.

“My father was a highly disciplined member of the military, and my mother was a social worker, as well as a community midwife and trainer. Our parents instilled in us the spirit of volunteerism at a very young age, which led me to my current work.

“Once I was emotionally healed, I felt that there was a great need for a forum where single mothers could meet to share their experiences and find solutions to their problems—especially for the sake of their children.

“I founded the Single Mothers Association of Kenya (SMAK) in 1991. We held monthly meetings in my house until we secured a meeting place. My focus remains young single mothers, and we currently offer a residential program to 10 adolescent mothers with babies younger than one year.

“We rescue the girls from forced marriages to older men and equip them with

different life skills for one year, after which they are registered for the government grade test (NITA) in preparation for their exit. They are also given time to attend adult classes, since they have not received a secondary education.

“We mainly receive funding from well-wishers and rent out some of our facilities during school holidays. We also offer outside catering and baking services.

“The areas that currently pose economic challenges are raising money for the government exam (NITA), which costs 5,000 shilling [about $50] per girl; raising money for food, lesson materials, and adequate bedding, shoes, toys, nappies, and clothing for the girls and their babies

“My dream is to see SMAK become a multi-purpose community-based university run by alumni, and I hope that it will change many young mothers’ academic statuses and lifestyles.”

—Susan Mwnesi

In 2017, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helped the Church in Kenya with projects in the amount of $720,000. Projects included support for seminarians, subsistence aid for women religious, and the construction of churches and chapels. Across Africa, ACN supports numerous initiatives designed to strengthen marriage and family life.

With picture of Angelina Okweya Nandwa (© ACN)

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax 718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384.  www.churchinneed.org