Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - No less than 29 African countries have a significant presence in Rome, not to mention personnel at African embassies and Africans working with UN organisations such as FAO and IFAD. This has encouraged immigration also for study. "Many come to study in Rome even though many need our help to pay university taxes” - Fides was told by Fr Augustin Bita Lihun Nzundu, chaplain for the Congolese community in the capital.
The Centre for African Pastoral Care is run by the Comboni Association for Service of Emigrants and Refugees started 30 years ago by Fr Renato Bresciani as the Comboni Association for Foreign Students. The offices are in Via del Buon Consiglio 19 (tel. 06.679.16.69). “Every Saturday at 5,30pm - says the chaplain Fr Jean Bosco Gakirage - we have Mass for the immigrants and 64 volunteers who work with us, accompanied by a choir of students called ‘Africa Canta’ ". Before mass there are two meetings, one to come together and the other to pray. ACSE also offers 17 services including courses in Italian, a course in computer use and free dental treatment. The Centre is also a member of "118 spiritual" service for Africans in hospital which helps find a person of the same ethnic origin to visit them and help them. “This is Mission in daily reality at various levels of understanding thanks also to our volunteers” says Fr Jean underlining that the centre is open to all Africans with no distinction for religion.
Some countries, such as Democratic Congo have their own chaplaincy. About 900 Congolese can rely on the Congolese Centre at the church of the Nativity, piazza Pasquino (tel. 06.683.26.39). Besides information and assistance for new arrivals, the community, started in 1997 at the request of Cardinal Frédéric Etsou, Archbishop of Kinshasa, gives special attention to pastoral care for families. "We hold two family meetings a month for about 20 families - Rev Augustin told Fides - who come to share their experience and discuss various matters concerning the faith". Cardinal Etsou wanted the centre to be for Catholics from all over Congo rather than just one region. "This attitude is encouraged by the Centre’s Bondeko Choir meaning brotherhood which sings at Mass also in other parishes showing our way of living the faith".
Another community in the capital is formed of 1,900 Africans from Cape Verde who have a meeting place at Tra Noi Centre (via Monte del Gallo 113, tel. 06.393.874.46) run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The community, mainly women, comes together on Thursday afternoons and on Sundays after 7pm Mass in Portuguese. The main difficulty for these people is a low level of instruction which prevents them from finding a decent job. In view of this the missionaries at Tra Noi offer courses of adult basic education. This community benefits greatly from a Portuguese School opened in 1971 by Sr Fernanda Vas which has classes of all grades to Baccalaureate. Most Cape Verde citizens with a qualified job in Italy today owe their position to this institution. (M.P.) (Agenzia Fides 18/7/2006 - righe 41; parole 607)
