About the world as a Catholic

Cardinal Péter Erdő’s welcome speech opened the first event, which was followed by the discourse of Archbishop Michael August Blume, Apostolic Nuncio, on the problems of Africa.
The idea of searching free spirited answers with a Catholic approach both for the special and everyday problems of the social and human life was born in the spirit of Sára Salkaházi’s spiritual heritage. As we could hear in Cardinal Péter Erdő’s, Primate of Hungary opening speech– “an overarching approach is needed that is not influenced by trends, rather it touches the matters purely through the Gospel.” Cardinal Erdő added that in Africa the situation, future, migration, solidarity, brotherhood, and the possible welfare or even the lack of it in the homeland were major issues of the recent years. Having served decades on the continent, Cardinal Michael August Blume is a real expert on the subject.

Mercy and privilege
“My 29 years in Africa always reminds me of the words ‘mercy and privilege’. The missionary vocation is a mercy, it cannot be deserved. As to Jesus’ teachings the Master entrusts the treasures to the servants. Servants are called for cooperation in working with the treasures so as to have a rich blooming.” – said Cardinal Blume in his introductory. From 1974 onwards he served in Ghana for 16 years, in a country where just shortly before his arrival the elected President had been removed by a military coup and members of the parliament were chased away.” The population was exposed to a no end deprivation and sufferings.
In 1990 Michael August Blume left Ghana and continued his missionary service in the Vatican. For long years he was helping the migrants’ pastoral care throughout the globe. Later, after a decade of service, he was planning on returning to his missionary congregation, but Pope Benedict XVI had other plans and appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and Togo. Then in 2013, his work took him to Uganda, to serve in one of the poorest countries of the world.

Let’s show the Church’s presence!
Uganda, alike to many other African countries, had experienced the violence and suffering of a military dictatorship. The country is ranked amongst the poorest in the world, where mountains of refugees arrive from the surrounding countries, torn apart by civil wars.
“During the last two years of my service in Uganda, in the wake of a huge migration from South Sudan, the population in the country’s Northern region had increased by more than 1 million. Over my years in the country, I regularly travelled around to meet the refugees, being on the peripheries of the society. I encouraged the missionaries to come and reach out to these people, to show and let them see the presence of the Church and the Christian community, since these people listened to the voice of God, celebrated the Eucharist, and received the Sacraments even in exile.”

Strong, Christian families are needed
Cardinal Michael August Blume is of the opinion that Africa is a huge challenge that hides great pastoral possibilities, since 60 % of the population is under the age of 25, who can form a remarkable base for the renewal of the Catholic Church. At the same time, many more pastoral challenges remain because: “these communities are exposed to the international media power that is usually pretty far from being positive or appreciative towards the Christian teachings, marriage and family. These media communicate false ideas on freedom and legal rights.” – warned the Apostolic Nuncio. We are in need of strong, Christian families who follow the teachings of the Church.

Photo: Marcsi Ambrus
Source: IEC