austraLasia #3188
Two interesting items of missionary news have come in from quite opposite parts of the globe, both involving members who provinces of origin are in EAO: Australia and Vietnam. Read on:
ST PEDRO CARCHÁ (Guatemala): 3 February 2103 -- Fr Tony De Groot, originally a member of the Australian Province and long-time missionary (40 years or more) in the Central American Province (CAM), had a much-awaited joy on 31st January, when the Bishop of Verapaz, bishop Rodolfo Valenzuela gave diocesan canonical recognition to his group of 'Misioneros de Cristo el Buen Pastor' as s Society of Apostolic Life. Fr De Groot founded this group at least 30 years ago, forming it out of young catechists who travelled the villages in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. It has taken many years of formation, joys and sorrows, including the difficult years of guerrilla fighting in the region, when two of his first candidates were martyred while carrying out their catechetical service.
This association of young indigenous men who are living a community life, Salesian spirituality and carry out aa mission primarily of education, is now one step closer to becoming the Religious Congregation that they and their founder have always had in mind becoming. They have three educational centres for indigenous people which run under the name of 'Centro Don Bosco', located in San Pedro Carchá, San Juan Chamelco and Raxruhá, in the Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala.
MADRIDI (South Sudan): 3 February 2103 -- Fr Paul Tung was ordained priest at Madridi in South Sudan, a location and Diocese not widely known to the world, as it lies amongst the Zande people who live close to the border with D.R. Congo. There is a Salesian community at Madridi, and the bishop is dearly hoping for the Salesian presence to expand in this area.
Fr Paul, who comes from Vietnam, has completed his priestly studies at Utume in Nairobi, Kenya.
Since the Maridi area is isolated, only three other Salesians from the community were present for the ordination (which appears to have taken place on 1st February, following the Feast of St John Bosco). But the Bishop brought all his diocesan priests (some 20 of them) and a large group of Anglican faithful also attended.
After the ordination the Bishop gave a Zande name to Paul Tung, naming him him Paul Tunga, 'tunga' means 'Seed'.
Good missionary news with connections to EAO
ST PEDRO CARCHÁ (Guatemala): 3 February 2103 -- Fr Tony De Groot, originally a member of the Australian Province and long-time missionary (40 years or more) in the Central American Province (CAM), had a much-awaited joy on 31st January, when the Bishop of Verapaz, bishop Rodolfo Valenzuela gave diocesan canonical recognition to his group of 'Misioneros de Cristo el Buen Pastor' as s Society of Apostolic Life. Fr De Groot founded this group at least 30 years ago, forming it out of young catechists who travelled the villages in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. It has taken many years of formation, joys and sorrows, including the difficult years of guerrilla fighting in the region, when two of his first candidates were martyred while carrying out their catechetical service.
This association of young indigenous men who are living a community life, Salesian spirituality and carry out aa mission primarily of education, is now one step closer to becoming the Religious Congregation that they and their founder have always had in mind becoming. They have three educational centres for indigenous people which run under the name of 'Centro Don Bosco', located in San Pedro Carchá, San Juan Chamelco and Raxruhá, in the Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala.
MADRIDI (South Sudan): 3 February 2103 -- Fr Paul Tung was ordained priest at Madridi in South Sudan, a location and Diocese not widely known to the world, as it lies amongst the Zande people who live close to the border with D.R. Congo. There is a Salesian community at Madridi, and the bishop is dearly hoping for the Salesian presence to expand in this area.
Fr Paul, who comes from Vietnam, has completed his priestly studies at Utume in Nairobi, Kenya.
Since the Maridi area is isolated, only three other Salesians from the community were present for the ordination (which appears to have taken place on 1st February, following the Feast of St John Bosco). But the Bishop brought all his diocesan priests (some 20 of them) and a large group of Anglican faithful also attended.
After the ordination the Bishop gave a Zande name to Paul Tung, naming him him Paul Tunga, 'tunga' means 'Seed'.
