Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Fides Service) - On 21 February the fourth day of his pastoral visit to Sudan Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples visited the minor seminary of St. Lawrence in Juba. In his address to the students he said: “The clerical state is not one of privilege, but one of humble and disinterested self-giving to others in the example of Jesus at the Last Supper, who laid aside his garments and washed the feet of his disciples... As seminarians you should learn that your vocation is not to command or to enjoy honours and be esteemed because of your social position, but you are called to a life built on the evangelical counsels of poverty, self-denial, obedience, and chastity”. The Cardinal also reminded them of the importance of personal and liturgical prayer. “The habit of prayer is an absolute necessity, and you must do everything to cultivate and nourish both personal prayer and liturgical prayer. Besides the graces which flow from the Eucharist, we need frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. … It is here in the Seminary that you learn to open your eyes, your ears, and your heart to the needs of others so that you can become that "alter Christus" which is your goal.”.
With regard to celibacy and the evangelical virtue of chastity the Cardinal said “While it is not easy to observe in any one place, it can everywhere be successfully and happily observed with the grace of God...while maintaining constant and intimate union with Christ especially through personal prayer”.
After visiting the seminary the Cardinal had a meeting with Catechists whom he encouraged and also warned of obstacles to preaching the Gospel: “As catechists, in the work of evangelisation, you are well aware of just how fragile the faith is in many areas. Socio-political forces and the erosion of family values, coupled with creeping secularism and the rise in problems such as urbanisation, unemployment, and materialism, all make preaching the Good News of Hope and Salvation most difficult”. Other aspects which render the mission o catechists difficult the Cardinal said include poverty situations of unjustified violence and conflicting interests. He encouraged the catechists not to lose heart and said: “For this reason, precisely, I wish to remind you, above all, of the essential importance of prayer, “for apart from me - says Jesus - you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Apart from this, look after your doctrinal, and pedagogical preparation, beware of the challenge of sects and all the other negative tendencies that might divide you, such as tribalism and ethnicity. Never tire of leading an exemplary life, which is to edify the groups that are under your care.”
The Prefect of the Missionary Congregation then departed from Juba and travelled to Rumbek, where, after greeting the local authorities he met the clergy, religious and lay people who work with the Bishop of Rumbek, Bishop Mazzolari in pastoral service and evangelisation. Rumbek is one of the dioceses in Sudan which suffered most from isolation with serious consequences for pastoral care. “Thanks to the missionary zeal of your Bishop, together with your good collaboration, you can now start reaping the fruits of your work” the Cardinal said expressing gratitude for their services offered to the Church and the nation and encouraging all to persevere “I invite you to continue wholeheartedly to serve the Church and make sure that the mission of the Risen Lord is continuing through your apostolate.”. Cardinal Sepe called for efforts to coordinate common pastoral attention to the future, asking especially for a concerted effort in the formation of the pastoral agents, for the ministry of proclamation and evangelisation.. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/2/2006, righe 43, parole 574)
