Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - The 26th General Chapter of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa, known also as the White Fathers, opened on May 10 at the general House in Rome with a solemn Concelebration of the Eucharist presided by Superior General Father Francois Richard. In his homily commenting the reading (Exodus chapter 3 and the Gospel of Matthew chapter 14) Father Richard said: “Like Moses, and old man of 80, we are called to work in the Mission which God shows us. Our Society, 136 years since its founding, must still wonder at the burning bush... Like Jesus we must be about the Father’s business”. In the afternoon the spiritual animator of the Chapter, Hans Schrenk, put two questions to the assembly: “Who are we? Why are we here?» The reply is: we are missionaries sent on mission by God. The work we do must be God’s work. We are here to achieve God’s plan for our missionary Society. The animator proposed three models to response to the questions: Nelson Mandela, Peter the Apostle and the disciple Jesus loved.
The Chapter will review the activity of the Society in the last six years, study the different aspects of the life of the Society, discern paths for the mission of the White Fathers in the next six years to meet the demands of today in the African world, elect a new general governing body. Some 60 members from 18 different countries are taking part in the general chapter which should last about 6 weeks. The Society si present in 24 countries. Founded in 1868 by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie for the evangelisation of Africa the White Fathers are at the moment 1,771. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2004; Righe 19; Parole 269)
