austraLasia #2215


Where Catholic meant Comboni and Don Bosco is welcome

KHARTOUM: 3rd August 2008 -- Yes, we are in Sudan this time.  Some distance from EAO! But with 4 confrères from Vietnam, 2 from Korea, plus a further 4 who have worked in EAO (Brothers Andrea and Jim Comino, Frs Vincenzo Donati and Ernie de Gasperi), and an additional 18 from the South Asia Region, that means well more than half the confrères of this Delegation are really from our part of the world!
    Those credentials established, now for a little news of an an area that only gets bad press from the media.  In these days the new Missions Councillor (so, yes, we may add a further ex-EAO name!) has been visiting Sudan.  On 31st July he was in Khartoum at the St Joseph Vocational Training Centre at a special Mass at which the Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan and Eritrea, Leo Boccardi, presided. It was to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of ordination of the Superior of the Delegation, Fr Jacob Thelekkadam (from India and in Sudan since 1985) and the Golden Jubilee of profession of Bro Andrea Comini (Piedmontese, in Sudan since 1999 after coming there from the Philippines). The Mass was attended by some 30 diocesan and missionary society members, 50 Sisters and some volunteers, and a further 50 Salesian Family members (FMA, Cooperators). At least half of the current membership of the Delegation was present.
    After Mass, Bro Andrea shared his early vocational experience, firstly in Chieri with Fr Tirone who became Catechist General of the Congregation for 35 years. Fr Jacob likewise shared his experience especially of his arrival in Sudan and his gratitude to the Sudanese clergy, and especially the Comboni missionaries who helped him appreciate his missionary vocation.
    The former EAO Regional now Missions Councillor, Fr Klement, had chosen to preach the annual retreat then take part in the 3rd Delegation Assembly from 30-31 July.  Since the approval of the Delegation in June 2006, it is growing, now much internationalised with 12 nationalities involved. There are 6 local vocations.  They have one novice in 2008.  Of 37 confrères, 29 are actually working in Sudan at the moment.  3 will arrive after the missionary send-off in Turin in September and another 8 are studying abroad.  Fr Klement notes too, with pleasure, that there are 4 African missionaries in the Delegation, one each from Kenya, Tanzania, Congo and Nigeria.
    Sudan is now into its third year of 'peace' after the settlement of January 2005. It is awaiting the referendum in South Sudan in 2011.  But other than the known difficulties broadcast daily in the international media, the whole social, political and religious picture is one of rapid, immense change, including vast internal migration.
    The Salesians have 3 communities in the North and 3 in the South. These include 4 parishes and 3 training centres with many boarders, especially in the South where years of conflict resulted in so much destruction. The Salesians are now contributing to the rebuilding of the schools, health care facilities and of course carrying out the work of evangelisation. In a part of the world where to be Catholic virtually meant to be Comboni, nevertheless Don Bosco is especially welcome.
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Title: australasia 2215
Subject and key words: SDB General Sudan
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2215