Dear brothers and sisters of the Dehonian Family,
From November 3-13,1998 the Provincial and Regional Superiors and Superiors of Madagascar, Philippines and India gathered with Fr. Virginio Bressanelli, General Superior, and members of the General Administration to search out strategies to implement the operational plan: "We, the Congregation: in the Service of Mission". Gathered in the spirit of Sint Unum it was a time of fraternity, mutual support and collaboration. One of our brother Provincials was not present: Father Matthias Hansen, the Provincial of Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). His absence was not by choice but because of the continued fighting in the Congo. The voices of our SCJs in the Congo and the voices of the people suffering echoed through our deliberations. They are the present witnesses to the presence of God's Spirit in the midst of persecution and violence.
October 29 was the second anniversary of the death of Msgr. Christophe Munzihirwa, Bishop of Bukavu. He devoted his life to searching out for his people a peace based on the strength of truth, on forgiveness, and non-violence. Ten days before he was killed, on October 19, he said "We would be blessed if we could see all of the races around the Great Lakes living side by side like brothers and bringing their differences to enrich one another through constant dialogue."
It is in this spirit that we convoke November 30, 1998 as an International Dehonian Day of Solidarity with the people of the Congo. This day is of special significance because in the month of November 1964 many of our confreres gave their lives for the people of the Congo.
On November 30, we invite each SCJ and member of the Dehonian Family throughout the world to fast and pray for the people of the Congo on their journey of reconciliation.
On November 30, we invite you to write a letter to the political leadership of your country urging your government to support a peace plan in the Congo. (see attached).
On November 30 let us be "Prophets of love and servants of reconciliation." (Cst. 7)
The Participants of the meeting of Provincial and Regional Superiors, Superiors of Madagascar, Philippines and India with Fr. Virginio Bressanelli, General Superior and the General Administration.
Dear MR./MADAM [President/Prime Minister/Secretary of State, etc.]
I am gravely concerned about the welfare of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I urge you to do all that is in your power to bring the warring parties to the negotiation table so that the violence may cease and the people may live in peace.
I further ask that the medicine, food and other necessary supplies be provided to the people. This includes the revitalization of the UNICEF national campaign of vaccination against polio in the month of the December of 1998.
I ask you to hear the cry of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo through this appeal.
Respectfully yours,
NB. A similar letter can be sent to members of Congress/Parliament as well, asking them to use their influence, etc. In this case the first paragraph would read:
I am gravely concerned about the welfare of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I urge you to use your influence to insist that our government do all in its power to bring the warring parties to the negotiation table so that the violence may cease and the people may live in peace.
Rome Nov. 13, 1998
Dear confrères of the Province of the Congo,
From November 3 to the 13 1998, the provincial and regional superiors,with the superiors of the communities of Madagascar, the Philippines and India, met with Father Virginio Bressanelli, superior general, and the members of the general administration to elaborate strategies for the implementation of the plan We, the Congregation in Service to the Mission.
This meeting was held in the spirit of our Sint Unum, and was a strong moment of fraternity, mutual support and collaboration. Unfortunately, your provincial, Father Matthias Hansen, could not be present with us because of the disturbances which persist in the Congo. You are today the living signs of the Spirit of God in the midst of a world of violence and persecution.
We have decided that November 30 1998, the feast of St. Andrew, should be an International Day of SCJ Solidarity with you and with the people of the Congo. That day, we invite each confrère, as well as all the members of the Dehonian Family, to fast and pray so that the people of the Congo may begin a process of reconciliation. We also strongly urge each confrère to write a letter to his country's government asking them to support the establishment of a peace process in the Congo.
Receive our most fraternal greetings and the expression our our solidarity, as well as the assurance of our prayers to the loving heart of Jesus, through the intercession of the Venerable Father Dehon.