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Ethiopia: IMC Ethiopian Region Pastoral Experience Workshop |
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Scritto da Fr. Jean-Marie Bilwala-Kabesa, Imc
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 The theme proposed by the Pope Benedict XVI for this year‘s missionary month is: “All the Churches for all the World” as was underlined by Fr. Antonio Vismara, the Ethiopian Regional Superior, in his circular Letter n. 14. This challenging theme for us missionaries “Ad gentes” is not a slogan, but makes us reflect on our pastoral approach where universality, inter-religious dialogue, ecumenism are brought at the forefront.
The regional Assembly of the month of October which was held on October 16 was focused on the Workshop on our Pastoral Ministry in Ethiopia. The main objective of the Workshop was to draw IMC Pastoral Plan in Ethiopia, taking into consideration the Local Church, Cultural aspects of the people and the Charism of our Congregation. In another way, to view how our Regional Pastoral Plan is incorporated in the plan of each vicariate without forgetting our Methodology of evangelization as Consolata Missionaries and also to have knowledge on how the other Congregations are undertaking their pastoral activities. Due to this, as a religious and missionary Congregation, we have the need to hear, listen to and to learn from the experience of the co-religious missionary communities. The Regional Pastoral Office team which is composed of Frs. Alvaro, Jacob, Jean-Marie, Gabriel and Silvio Sordella, decided to have the above Workshop facilitated by the respective pastoral coordinators of the three Vicariates of our operational areas (Addis Ababa, Nekempte, Meki) and Lazarist Missionaries representing the entire religious missionary Congregations in Ethiopia. But only Lazarist representative and an F.M.O.Cap as a representative of Addis were present. We also got the pleasure to have the Pastoral Coordinator of Awassa Diocese. In general, we assert that it was a rousing speech. To some of our questions, practical interests, expectations and concerns, the Speakers put down some hints. May Joseph Allamano, our Founder, beatified 17 years ago on October 7th continue blessing our work. Amen!
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