The Africa - Madagascar Region

“At the time when Christianity seems to be bidding farewell to the West, it is you (Africans) who are today the hope of our Church. You will be the leaven in the missionary spirit of the oldest Churches” (John Paul II)

• 25 years after an historical decision

This year is the 25th anniversary of “Project Africa”. A decision taken by GC21 in 1978, the first centenary of the Salesian Congregation. Recalling Don Bosco’s prophetic dream the Rector Major, Fr. Vigano, and the members of the Chapter decided to commit themselves “to increase decisively the number of foundations in Africa”.

Today we can see the results. In twenty five years we have gone from being (in 1978) present in 13 countries with 52 foundations and 330 Salesians, to being (in 2002) in 42 countries with 172 foundations and 1,200 Salesians. Almost half the confreres (42%) are Africans. The number of novices increases every year, being about a hundred today.

At present the Africa - Madagascar Region is organised in twelve juridical circuns-criptions forming one Conference (“CIVAM”) for the coordination and animation of Salesian life in the continent.

• A phase of consolidation

After a period of expansion the watchword is now the internal “consolidation” of the Region, in an effort to give quantitative and qualitative consistency to the Provinces and communities. The priority is the formation of the young confreres and the consolidation of the local communities as a practical expression of the salesian charism.

For someone looking at the first decades of the presence of the Salesians in the Africa - Madagascar Region, the things that most meet the eye are perhaps the buildings, the projects, the works that are functioning… but behind all this is an objective, a purpose that should not be forgotten and which gives meaning to everything that is being done. The real “Project” is that of establishing the Salesian charism in this continent for the benefit of the young, of society and of the Church.

The planning programme for the current six year period 2002 – 2008, in line with consolidation, is intended to emphasise two aspects: the formation of the Salesians, with the necessary discernment and formative accompaniment, and the existence of significant communities which make the salesian educative and evangelising charism a reality. And all this from the perspective of the inculturation of the Salesian charism in the Region.

• Some challenges

There are some difficulties and challenges to face up to. Visiting the Region my first reaction is to give thanks to the Lord for all the good done and for the generous commitment of the confreres. At the same time, there is a clear challenge to pay more attention to some points in order to strengthen our Salesian presence:

• the importance of the Salesian as a person. Following the CG25, we have to pay more attention to the human and spiritual aspect of our communities. Quality is not given to our communities by buildings but by persons, especially by the Salesians. We have to help each other to feel happy and faithful to our vocation of consecrated people and apostles;

• the community dimension of our life and Salesian mission. We have to overcome individual initiatives- even the most generous – and to confide apostolic actions to the discernment, decision and evaluation of the commu-nity. Only in this way what we have begun will have continuity and consistency;

• the Salesian identity of persons and works. We obviously are not religious people in a generic way nor diocesan priests, but Salesians. This is our own characteristic and the richness of our contribution to local Churches. Salesian identity through spirituality in working and temperance, through our educational presence among the young, through our sense of belonging to the community, through team working…

• the importance of Province animation. It remains proven that a weak Province animation gives birth to weak or independent communities, in which projects depend on one person, perhaps without continuity. It is very urgent to strengthen the Province animation with confreres who could have the necessary time, with animation programmes in coordination with the Provincial and his Council and with an animation style capable of creating unity.

• Africa and the salesian charism

The experience of these years helps us to recognize that Africa and the salesian charism are made for each other. As Salesians we have a charism that is specially suited to our being with young people and to their human and Christian develop-ment. On its part, Africa is full of young people, tuned in to the oratorian atmos-phere and open to projects of development and evangelization.

In 1978 Fr. Vigano said: “We are the latest arrivals in the evangelisation of the African continent; we have to learn from everyone, but we do have a treasure that they others perhaps don’t possess. We bring with us our own way of evangelising the young, with a special love for the young and a particular style and method.”

There has been a mutual exchange beneficial to all concerned. The Salesian charism has enriched Africa with its special love for the young; Africa has enriched the Salesian charism giving fresh life to its missionary endeavours, its oratorian style and its dedication to the poorest.

Looking at the salesian foundations in Africa we can say that we really are present among the young, offering them practical educational and development oppor-tunities and with a clear set of criteria and values as a frame of reference.

If it is true that presence among the young makes us “Salesians”; Africa, a young continent, is a fruitful soil in which to renew the Salesian charism. Looking at Africa Don Bosco could really say: “Here with you I feel really happy!”

Fr. Valentin de Pablo

Regional Councillor for Africa-Madagascar