Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tunis (Fides Service ) - On the occasion of the 1650th anniversary of the birth of St Augustine of Hippo, St Louis Catholic Basilica in Tunis will host an Exhibition on the famous 4th century Bishop of Hippo from 15 December 2004 to 10 January 2005. This is a major event, the first of its kind in Tunisia. St Augustine said he was “African”, but he acquired a universal dimension. In effect the title of the exhibition is “African and Universal”. The didactics were prepared by the University of Fribourg and the artistic arrangement is the work of the Tunisian Ministry of Culture which has put on display magnificent archaeological items. The exhibition, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Tunis and the Swiss Embassy, will be officially opened on 15 December at 6.30pm. On 16 December the opening conference will be given by at 5pm by Serge Lancel, on the theme “St Augustine and Carthage”, followed by a round table discussion with experts from Tunisia and other countries.
Carthage had a strong influence on Augustine who studied there from 370 to 374 and taught there 375 to 383, before setting sail for Rome and Milan. As Bishop of Hippo, from 395 to 430, he travelled widely, took part in Councils at Carthage, delivered countless sermons. Philosopher, theologian, writer, moralist, bishop, the figure of St Augustine undoubtedly impregnated Christian North African under many aspects.
“This exhibition on St Augustine reveals Tunisia’s Christian past in which the Saint played an important part, spanning the Roman epoch and the Vandal invasion succeeded by Byzantine peoples and Arabs” Vicar general of Tunis archdiocese Mons. Dominique Rézeau told Fides. “Carthage was at the time the Christian metropolitan of Africa, with its many dioceses, its saints and bishops, its theologians, its Christians still tempted by the heresies of Donatism and Pelagianism. Writings by Tertullian, St Cyprian Bishop of Carthage martyred in 258 and St Augustine, guided and continue to guide the faith and life of the Church in our diocese and beyond its borders. We hope this exhibition will help visitors discover this great figure who may be called, like St Thomas Moor much later, “a man for all seasons”.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2004; Righe 26 - Parole 365)
