The Sri Lankan Governmentand the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) will begin politicalnegotiations between the 16^th and 18^th of September2002in Thailand. The peace process in Sri Lanka is gradually movingahead since the cease-fire which came into effect with the signing ofthe Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 22thanks to themediation of the Norwegian government. The processhoweveris notwithout its difficulties. There are a number of “peace spoilers”– on both sides – who are attempting to disrupt the process.The path to a lasting peaceneverthelessis being pursued by a growingmajority of “people of goodwill.”

Inter-religiouspeace walk

February 23^rdand 24^th were unforgettable days for the people of JaffnaPeninsula. They witnessed a historic “peace walk” organizedby members of the Inter-Religious Consortium assisted by 47 Human DevelopmentOrganizations. The appeal for such a rally was launched by the JaffnaOblates. The response was overwhelming.

The walk began from theShrine of Our Lady at Sinnamadhu with more than a thousand people settingout with the blessing of the Vicar General of the Jaffna diocese andtwo High Priests from the Hindu temple at Nallur. The 25 km trek passedthrough VelanaiChaartyMankumpanAllaipittyMandaitivu and Pannaion to its destination at Thurkkaiamman Kovil on the second day. At eachplace Catholic and Hindu priests addressed and blessed the crowd. Frs.Patrick GNANAPRAGASAM and M. Paul NADCHETHIRAM were among those whospoke.

At the United Nations

Fr. Damian SOOSAIwas a participating member at the U.N. 27^th General Assemblywhich was convened as a special Session for the Children at the UnitedNations headquarters in New York May 5-10. Seventy heads of states andabout three thousand seven hundred delegates from different countrieswere present. The theme of the session was“Say Yes for Children.”Fr. Damian presented a short paper entitled “On the Effects ofArmed Conflicts on Children in the Northeast of Sri Lanka.”

Bicycle peace parade

Three hundred boysand girls from St. Mary’s church in Kopay participated in a “BicyclePeace Parade” organized by the pastorFr. Celestine MASCARINGHE.The purpose was to invoke our Heavenly Father’s blessings on allthose who make concerted efforts to bring about peace in the country.

The youngsters left thechurch and went along the east road for 7 kilometers to St. Sebastian’sparish in Kondavil. There they took part in the eucharistic adorationduring which prayers were offered for peace and brotherhood. Kondavilis a predominantly Hindu area and many Hindus were present to gracethe finale of the event. (Extracts from the Jaffna Province Yazha-Thoninewsletter.)

Uppsala Consultation

Fr. Oswald FIRTH of theCenter for Society and Religion was among the seven member Sri Lankandelegation that participated in the Third Sri Lanka Consultation heldin UppsalaSweden April 20 to 22. They met with representatives ofthe international communitybelonging to different ethnicitiesreligionsand ideological persuasions. The meeting was held under the auspicesof the Life and Peace Institute of Sweden and Sri Lanka's Inter-ReligiousPeace Foundation to deliberate upon the recent developments in Sri Lanka.This was the third such consultation. In a statement to the press thedelegates appealed to all parties concerned to respond with a spiritof magnanimity and reconciliation to the peoples’ genuine thirstfor a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

J&P committeevisits the North

A group of six Oblatesfrom the Sri Lanka (Colombo) Province Justice and Peace committeeledby Fr. Jude Rohan SILVAtraveled to the North on May 21St. Eugene’sday. They traveled along Route A9 which links the north and south areasof the country. This route had been closed for 10 years. The group wasable to engage in dialogue with the Security Forces at the various checkpoints and meet a number of civilians who already experienced a relativepeace as a result of the cease-fire. All whom they met expressed theirdesire for a total end to the war and an improvement in living conditions.A meeting with top ranking persons in the political wing of the LTTEwas very informative and frank. The officials gave detailed answersto the thorny issues raised by the Oblates on de-conscriptionthe “Homeland”concept and self-governance. The peace mission was concluded in Killinochciwhere the visiting missionaries met their confreres of the Jaffna Provinceand exchanged views on further efforts to be made to continue the OblateJustice and Peace mission in Sri Lanka. (Colombo Province Newsletter.)[For related article see the Asia-Oceania section below.]

Strengthening thebonds of peace

The Centre for Societyand Religion (Oswald FIRTHdirector) and the Inter-Religious PeaceFoundation organized “The First Inter-Religious Mission to theNorth” June 28 to July 1. BuddhistHinduIslam and Christianleadersand a cultural group – 47 persons in all – participatedin this peace mission. Its first objective was to build and strengthenbonds of goodwill with peace as the ultimate goal.

The group met with religiousleaders as well as with officials of the LTTE and various NGOs in theNorth. They discussed civil life in the North since the signing of theMemorandum of Understanding touching upon areas where the MoU had failedto be implemented and the causes for such failure. Particular attentionwas given to the role of religious leaders vis-à-vis improvingthe living conditions of the people. Note was taken of the problemsof fishermen and the difficulty of access to the sea due to the presenceof security forces; of the difficulties encountered by Muslims in theirrehabilitation; the problems related to education due to destructionof the infrastructure. There was also discussion of the issue of land-minesand how civilian victims can be assisted.

Besides alerting the authoritiesconcerned about the problems faced by Muslims and fishing communitiesother steps proposed as a follow up to this visit include two culturalexchange programmes among youthfrom North to South and vice-versa.A peace symposium gathering religious leaders from the North and theSouth is also proposed. It would be a forum for religious leaders todiscuss their role in promoting peace. The Bishop of Jaffnaexpressinghis thanks to the religious leaders accompanying the missionsaid “Wemust work together to see that the government and the LTTE will notreturn to war. We cannot leave this matter only in the hands of politiciansand the LTTE. We cannot remain aloof. If we do sowe will be condemnedby history and by our people.”

PHILIPPINES: Mercado headsPeace Council

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoof the Philippines has appointed Fr. Eliseo MERCADOto chair the five-memberconvenors group to establish the National Peace Council (NPC) that willfacilitate the normalization of the peace talks between the Philippinegovernment and the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the governmentand the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The former president of NotreDame University in Cotabato is well known for his knowledge of Islamand for his active role in other peace and development initiatives inthe Philippines.

The Council is expectedto play a crucial role in the government’s talks with the partiesinvolved in the conflict in the southern Philippines. In case of a deadlockthe Council may be called upon to present alternative proposals. Atpresent the NPC is in the process of consulting various groups fromthe countries broad political spectrum.

Fr. Mercado toldOMI Info that he has been trying to marshal foreign support forthe NPC and the peace process by talking to European Union Ambassadorsand ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs. At the end of June he attendedthe Organization of Islamic Conferences in Sudan. From there he proceededto the Netherlands where the NDF has is its government in exile. Hewas also in New York to speak to the varied United Nations’ bodiesinvolved in peace-building in the southern Philippinesparticularlythose under the Office of the Secretary General. He said“Theentire bureaucracy of the Philippine government’s Office on thePeace Process is at our disposal.”

During the Plenary Sessionof the General Council in JohannesburgSouth Africathe Superior Generalappointed Fr. Bernard Kéradec Commissionerof the Precapitular Commission. The other members of the Commissionare expected to be appointed soon. This commission is charged with makingthe necessary preparations for the next General Chapter that is scheduledto be held in Rome in September 2004.

Fr. Kéradec wasborn in Biarritz (France) in 1946. After perpetual profession in 1970and ordination in 1971 he received his first obedience for the thenFrance-Nord Province. Two years later he was sent to the Oblate missionin Laos only to be expelled in 1975 when the communist government forcedall missionaries to leave the country. He had barely finished learningthe Laotian language. Undauntedhe volunteered to join the newly formedgroup of French Oblatesmostly ex-Laos handswho were setting outto open a mission in Sintang (Indonesia) in 1976.

In 1988Bernard was appointedSuperior of the Sintang Delegation and served in that capacity until1993 when the Vice Province of Indonesia was formed by uniting the AustralianFrench and Italian Delegations. He became a member of the new ProvincialCouncil at that time. In 1996 he was appointed Superior of the scholasticatein Yogyakartaa position he has held for the past six years.

Fr. Jabulani Nxumalo: New Auxiliaryof Durban

On July 7^ththe Holy See announced the appointment of Fr. Jabulani NXUMALO as AuxiliaryBishop of the Archdiocese of DurbanSouth Africa. At the time of hisappointment he was General Councilor for the Africa-Madagascar Region.Episcopal ordination was conferred on August 25 by Cardinal WilfridNapierArchbishop of Durbanassisted by Bishop George Daniel of Pretoriaand Mandla Khumalo of Witbank. It was held at the Durban ExhibitionCentre during a Mass marking the 150^th anniversary of thefoundation of the Archdioceseformerly the Apostolic Vicariate of Natal.

According to one participantit was “a four and half hour epic ceremony.” The entire SouthAfrican Catholic Bishops’ Conference was present. Also in attendancewere priests and religious from all over South Africa and neighbouringcountriesand thousands of the faithful from the archdiocese.

Bishop Nxumalo is the140^th Oblate bishop since St. Eugene de Mazenod. He continuesan unbroken line of 150 years of Oblate “Episcopal” presencein Durban. He is the sixth Oblate to serve as a bishop there. The firstwas Jean François ALLARDthe first Vicar Apostolic of Natal(1850-1873)who was followed by Charles JOLIVET (1874-1903)HenryDELALLE (1903-1946). Denis HURLEY became Vicar Apostolic in 1947 andArchbishop in 1951when the Vicariate was raised to the status of archdiocese.Archbishop Hurley retired in 1992. Wilfrid Napiera Franciscan succeededhimbut the Oblate presence was continued by Dominic KHUMALO who wasAuxiliary Bishop of Durban from 1978 to 1999. Fr. Barry WOOD is currentlyVicar General of the Archdiocese.

Bishop Nxumalo is a nativeof Durbanwhere he was born on January 27^th 1944. Afterhis priestly ordination on September 2^nd 1974 he served inseveral parishes in the archdiocese. He later obtained a license intheology with a specialization in missiology from the Gregorian Universityand in Sacred Scripture from the Biblicum in Rome. He was professorand dean of studies at St. Joseph's Theological Institute in Cedarafrom 1978-84. He returned to parish ministry for ten years until hewas appointed Provincial of the Natal Province in 1998. A mere six monthslaterhe was elected General Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Regiona post he held at the time of his appointment as bishop.

Hundreds of pilgrims fromvarious parishes around the country flocked to Döbra for the celebrationof the Easter Triduum. One of the highlights this yearwhich touchedthe hearts of many pilgrimswas the planting of AIDS Crosses. The pilgrimspaid tribute to thousands of their family members and fellow Namibianswho have died of HIV/AIDS.

Namibia ProvincialFr.Philipp Pöllitzerwho led the pilgrims throughoutthe three day servicesstressed that AIDS has become the heaviest crossever to threaten humanitysociallypsychologically and economically.“The greatest pain and cross in our days is AIDS” he saidwhile unveiling a large AIDS Cross on a hillside. He then invited thepilgrims to plant next to it the smaller crosses they had brought. Manyhad come with messages about this incurable disease and the cost totheir families. The pilgrims prayed for the early discovery of AIDSdrugsthe infected and affected familiesas well as for peace in war-torncountries around the world.

The AIDS Cross unveiledon the hillside in Döbrasaid Fr. Pöllitzermust be a reminderto all Namibians of the extensive damage caused by HIV/AIDS in the country.It is also a sign of strong faith in Jesus who is victorious in everybattleeven including the one against this scourge. The cross is inscribedwith the words“I Am the Lord of AIDS.” (FromGustav TomangaAngelusMay 2002.)

The Postan independentdaily newspaper published in Lusakacarried a wonderful story abouta four and a half year old African boy. When told by his Father thatthey would be going to London and that they would be flying to get therethe young boy thought hard about it and asked: "Daddyis it thesame sky all the way to London?" Life in Africa is sometimes sodifferent from places like Londonthat it is hard to believe that itis the same world! The World Food Programme announced recentlythat more than 10 million people are in urgent need of food in the Zambia/Zimbabwe/Malawiregion. Aid agencies say that more than twice that number could needhelp if donors are slow to respond or if conditions worsen.

This famine is the resultof a number of interrelated problems: late rainsthe worst harvestin memorysharp price increasesand a collapse of the extended familybecause of AIDS. President Levy Mwanawasa during a television addresson the food situation in Zambia called it “a national disaster.”The president confessed that current food reserves were only expectedto provide for six million out of a population of ten million. As acoping mechanism it was suggested that people should reduce the numberof daily meals to one.

A recent survey conductedby the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection indicates that the monthlycost of living for a family of six now stands at US$200. About US$80of that sum is needed for food. This is in direct contradiction to theaverage monthly salary of a civil servant which is about US$70 per month.A report released by Transparency International Zambia indicates thatthe average Zambian lives on less than 1 US dollar a day.

Delegation SuperiorRonCARIGNANrecently visited a camp of displaced persons near the Zambia/Angolaborder. He reports that the 360 persons quartered there are dependenton the Oblate Sancta Maria Mission in Lukulu for day to day care andprovisions. They live in tents. Their foodprovided by Catholic ReliefServiceis distributed by the Oblate Brothers on regency at Lukulu.A tenuous food situation is compounded by a serious water shortage.The desired repatriation process is difficult to get off the groundbecause there is nothing left of the villages from which these peopleescaped during the guerilla warfare along the border area. At timesit is difficult to believe that we live under the same sky! (ZambiaDelegation BriefJune)

While Guatemala’sbloody civil war is seemingly overviolence and efforts to concealwhat happened during those terrible years continue. Delegation SuperiorGerard LE STRATreports that on May 9^thten thousand peoplefrom the twenty-three municipalities of El Quiche organized a peacefulmarch in Nebaj to demand an end to violence in the country and to showtheir support for the local priest Rigoberto Perezwho has receiveddeath threats.

The Church in Guatemalawas once again the target of repression on February 21^stwhen Nebaj’s newly built parish rectory was destroyed by fire alongwith historical documents and the information on the crimes committedin that area during the 80’s. Anthropologists involved in the exhumationof bodies from common graves and many people investigating the criminalacts of that period have received death threatsincluding priests whoare especially targeted.

The first group in themarchfrom San Pedro Jocopilaswalked for two days to show their solidaritywith the Ixil people and to protest the return of repression that hadafflicted them so much in the past. Then came the rest of the crowdthe majority being Mayan natives from different localitiesmarchinginto town waving white flags as symbols of peace and bearing postersof support saying “Nebaj never again”a motto inspired bythe title of the research done four years ago by the Church“Guatemalanever again.”

The Director of the HumanRights Office of the Archdiocese has requested support from the Inter-AmericanCommission for Human Rights. Members of the United Nations Mission forVerification of Crimes in Guatemala took part in the march. (FromMy Brother and IJune 2002).

What is possibly the firstshrine dedicated to St. Eugene de Mazenod in Latin Americawas blessedduring a Mass on May 26. The shrinein an old chapel at Pampa at Kilometer321 on Route 5is in the center of an area served by the Oblates.

To the surprise of allwrites Delegation SuperiorFr. Giuseppe MAMMANA700 persons from allthe Oblate parishes and missions in Uruguay gathered for the event.Even a group from Paso de los Novillos made the 100 km journey overa dirt road to be present.

Fr. Marcello Sgarbossathe Provincial of the Italian Province which sponsors the Uruguay Delegationwas present for the celebration. He greeted the assembly and encouragedthe small band of fourteen Oblate missionaries.

August 6^thFr. Joseph P. MURPHYthe oldest Oblate in the worlddied after a shortillnessat the Town and Country Nursing Home in LowellMassachusetts.Born March 241901 in BrooklynNew Yorkhe was 101 years old andhad recently celebrated his 75th Anniversary as a priest.

Ordained to the priesthoodin WashingtonD.C. on April 29th 1927Fr. Murphy spent many yearsof his priestly ministry in parish work and as a member of the “missionband”. He had also served as parish priest in McCookNebraskathe most distant “outpost” of the former Eastern Province.In his later years before retirementhe was a hospital chaplain atthe Bronx State Hospital in New York City. In September of 1996 he wasassigned to the Immaculate Heart of Mary retirement residence in TewksburyMassachusetts.

With Fr. Murphy’spassingFr. Joseph LYONS of San AntonioTexas becomes the oldest Oblatein the Congregation. He will be 100 years old in December.

In the cooler months ofthe year the pre-novitiate community in Tijuana makes tamales once ortwice a monthusually three or four hundred at a time. Not to eat themselvesof coursebut to sell! The revenue goes into a common fund that helpspay for part of the community’s living expenses. Fr. Thomas RUSHformation directorexplains the importance of this task to the overallformation program.

“The young men whoenter our program usually come from backgrounds with very limited resourcesnot only limited funds for their usebut also limited opportunitiesto work and earn money for expenses. Some seek benefactorsbut thisoffers only individual assistance and can mean different levels of resourcesfor different individuals in our program. Furthermorepast experiencehas shown that having everything given without some personal financialinvolvement can at times be prejudicial to the formation process itself.

“Our formation effortseems to work best when the young men share the experience of thosearound us who have to work to make a living for themselves and theirfamilies. The common fund that is part of this house’s formationprogram represents an effort to incorporate this element into our lifehere. We make tamales to sell in local parishesalong with religiousarticlesas a way of making money for our common fund. All in the housetake part in these efforts. >From the money we raise we pay part ofthe cost of house utilitiestelephonecomputer suppliesstudent transportationand community social activities. The work that we do in making and sellingtamales or in other fund-raising for the common fund is then our wayof contributing to the upkeep of the house and the costs of our program.

“We make this effortto share in the reality of others around us who work not only for theirown support and that of their familiesbut also on many occasions andin many ways contribute to our formation programs and our support.

“Our work to maintainthe common fund will hopefully bring our students to see that they aresupporting their own formation and will help them to be grateful forthe generosity of others who help them. As I help put the filling onthe corn leafs when we make tamalesI am given a special opportunityto reflect on important elements of formation that I can so easily takefor granted.” (OMIUSAJuly).

From May 20 to 23 theJustice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Committee (JPIC) sponsored ameeting of “Oblates involved in Border Migrant Ministry” atthe Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson. Twenty-five Oblates attended(7 from California12 from Texas1 from Floridaand 5 from the JPICCommittee).

The purpose of the meetingwas to bring together Oblates from the U.S.-Mexico border areas foreducation and discussion on the challenges of border ministry and immigrationissuesand for sharing of experiences and approaches undertaken indifferent areas of the Province with regard to migrant ministry.

The four main topics exploredat some depth were: (1) Encouraging and eliciting leadership in migrant(Hispanic) parishes. (2) Responding to the needs of Hispanic ministryin cultural and demographical transition. (3) Solidarity along the borderon policy issues and cross-border collaboration. (4) The relationshipof Oblate charism to this ministry and implications for the future.

Some significant clarificationswere made about the differences between ministry along the border andministry in urban centers further inside the country. Distinctions werealso made concerning ministry to “first generation” immigrantsand second and third generations. Also highlighted was the challengeof providing leadership necessary to transform a “crowded church”into a congregation. (By Rosemary BatesOMIUSAJuly.)

Father Alfred Toennis(43)a member of the Oblate community at Biberachsouthern Germanyand pastor of the nearby parish in Mittelbiberachhas opened a homefor pregnant women and mothers in difficulties whoresisting pressurefrom their partners or environment to abortare determined to haveand keep their babies in spite of financial problems. The home is opento women indifferently of their religious belief or nationality. Thereare five small apartments where pregnant womenor single mothers withbabiescan live until their difficultiesincluding lodging and workare solved with the help of the diocesan Caritas officeor religiousmedical and social workers.

This initiative by Fr.Toennis and his parish team comes in the context of the diocese's projectof counseling pregnant women in such situations and offering materialhelp.

It is indirectly alsoa result of one of the many beatifications under the present pontificate.The house in question was the birthplace of Blessed Ulrika NischaHoly Cross Sister who died in 1913 at the age of 31and was beatifiedin 1987. Significantly she was an "illegitimate" child who had beenbrought up and educated by her grandmother.

Whentwo years agothehouse in which Sister Ulrika was born was for saleFr. Toennis andthe parish council of Mittelbiberach thought of ways to save it andmake it a memorial to the Blessed whose early life was marked by theexperiences of an "unwanted" child. So the house was dedicated to thevery practical purpose mentioned above and transformed accordingly.

While the Oblate parishin Wroc³aw may not be the biggest Oblate parish in Europeit iswithout a doubt the one with the largest participation at Sunday Eucharist– an average of 7000 every weekend.

Wroc³aw is the economiccultural and intellectual capital of Lower Silesialocated in southwesternPoland160 km from Germany and 120 km from the Czech Republic. It hasan estimated 700000 population. The Oblates have been at St. Georgesince 1927when Silesia was a part of Prussia. There was but a smallchurch at the timewhich served as a base for the missionaries whopreached parish missions in the surrounding countryside. After the SecondWorld WarSilesia became part of Poland. The Germans left and Polesfrom the east who had had their land taken by Russia began to settlein Silesia. Apartment buildings went up by the hundreds and the littlechurch overflowed. Fifteen masses were not enough to meet the needsof the faithful. It was not without difficulty that permission was obtainedfrom the Polish communist government to build the present large modernchurch. It is said that Fr. Francis Georgethen Vicar Generalnowthe Cardinal Archbishop of Chicagowent to Warsaw and Wroclaw himselfto intervene with the authorities.

Fr. Mieczyslaw HALASZKOleads a team of three Oblates in the pastoral care of this parish of15000 faithful. The team is helped by local SuperiorKazimierz LUBOWICKIand the other members of the Oblate communitywho are involved in avariety of ministries in the city. There are about 1500 members ofthe parish who belong to a group or ecclesial movement. There is somethingfor all tastes: charismatic groupsrosary groupsmission groups….“Our parish is a community of communities” explains Fr. Halaszko.These groups meet regularly and are committed to being the “salt”of the community. Efforts to reach those not belonging to any groupgave birth to the “parish movement” which involves another1500 people. They are divided into groups of 10. Each group is entrustedto a person belonging to one of the previously established groups ormovements. Thus we have 150 leaders who meet regularly with their groupin private homes. Each summer some one thousand people take part inthe various prayer groups and retreats that are organized. Despite thehuge size of the parishthe pastoral team with its many helpers managesto visit every family once a year. A feat worthy of the Guiness WorldBook of Records! (Excerpts from F. Ciardi in Missioni OMI.)

On May 21stin Slavutycthe closest city to the nuclear station of Chernobylthe first Catholicchurch dedicated to St. Eugene Mazenod in the Ukraine was blessed bythe Apostolic NuncioMonsignor Nikola Eterovic. Slavutyca city of27000 inhabitantswas built for the workers of the atomic plant atChernobyl. After the tragic explosion the workers who helped extinguishthe reactor fire and attend the sick and wounded lived there.

The area around Chernobylis considered dangerous because of the radioactive contamination followingthe accident at the atomic power plant in May 1986. There are currentlyfour Oblates working in the surrounding territory of 3189 sq kminhabitedby 1300000 people. Sixteen years after the nuclear disasternew illnessesspring up every dayespecially leukemia and tumorsand many childrenare born with illnesses that physicians are unable to either identifyor take care of.

Responding to a requestby local bishops after the restructuring of the Catholic Churchthefirst community of Oblates began their apostolate here in June of 1994.Fr. Henryk KAMINSKI was the first to begin living among this abandonedpeople in Chernihivthe main town of the region. The following yearat the request of Latin Rite Catholics from Slavutyc he began celebratingmass on the steps of the old church building at Slavutyc which is stillused today as a State Archives. In bad weather they celebrated in privatehomes. Construction on a fixed place of worship began in 2000.

At the mass of dedicationa visibly moved leader of the Catholic community thanked the many guestsand benefactorssome who had come from as far away as Italy: “Everyoneis afraid to come here. Thank you for having had the courage to do so.”

Fr. Pavlo Vyshkovskyya young Ukrainian Oblate priestsees this church as a sign that humanitycan create horrible disasters as well as beautiful good things. Chernobylis a symbol of the tragedies resulting from the denial of God.

“Few peoplehe saysknow that this atomic plant once bore the name of Lenin and was supposedto be a symbol of the light that Lenin was to bring to the worldaswell as to demonstrate the power of the USSR. After the explosion thename was changed to Chernobyl. Today the Oblate missionaries striveto make this area a sign of hopeshowing that humanity can return toGod and build a civilization of love on the ruins of their mistakesand their sins.”

Fr. Pavlo adds“Untilnow people came here to see the consequences of the stupidity and thehaughtiness of men. The consecration of the new church reminds us thatunderstanding and the renewal of mankindof the family and of societyare possibleif we put our lives in God’s hands.” (From anarticle submitted to OMI Info by Fr. Vyshkovskyy and publishedin its entirety in the Italian Catholic daily Avvenire.)

The Holy See has giventhe Nihil Obstat to pursue the Cause of beatification and canonizationof Fr. Victor Lelièvre. Archbishop Maurice Couture of Quebecin his request for permission to proceed with the next step at the diocesanlevel wrote: “The censors have found absolutely nothing againstfaith and morals…. I must add that among a considerable numberof people Fr. Lelièvre enjoys a reputation of holiness.”

An imposing figure

Born in BrittanyMarch41876he died in Quebec November 291956. He was physically an imposingfigure with his broad shouldersbarrel chest and his heavy but stronggait. His round headpierced by two small eyes full of lifeseemedto rest directly on his shoulders. His rather reedy voice could at timesexpress power and strengthand at others sweetness and goodness. Likethe Vicar of Arshe was not scholarly nor literatebut one recognizedin him “a man of God.” Victim of the religious persecutionsin France at the beginning of the last centuryhe came to Quebec in1903. He had hardly arrived when he started preaching the Gospel “inseason and out of season” – a Breton to the core.

An imposing speaker

A powerful speaker witha deep faithevery year Fr. Lelièvre could gather immense crowdsand “make the city of Quebec walk” for the feast of the SacredHeart. Taking inspiration from the Gospelthat he knew wellhe couldhold the interest of workersjust as well as that of young peoplepriestsand nuns for hours.

Every first Friday ofthe month for twenty-five yearsthis apostle of the Sacred Heart succeededin the remarkable feat of gathering close to two thousand workers intheir dungarees or work clothes for an hour of eucharistic adoration.In 1923he founded the Jesus the Worker Retreat House in Quebec wherehe met with thousands of men and young people right up to his deathin 1956. He had the gift of captivating them and of winning them toChristvery often making real apostles of some of them. An incompletelist reveals the names of 80 priestsand of about thirty religiousand a hundred or so nuns of whom he is said to have influenced the vocation.

Next step

Fr. Yvon BEAUDOIN hasbegun gathering information for the historical biography of the Servantof Godan important part of the investigation into the heroic natureof the Servant of God’s virtue. (More detail at: http://www.oblats.qc.ca/OMI/Histoire/Dorval/qcLelievre.html).

On July 6^thThe Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (O.M.M.I.)celebrated their50^th anniversary of foundation. A Mass of thanksgiving atOur Lady of the Cape Basilica in Trois-Rivières brought to aclose a year of activities which marked the golden jubilee of this secularinstitute of women founded by Fr. Louis-Marie PARENT in 1952.

From the very beginningthe Institute attracted many young womenmost often nursesteacherssecretaries – professions usually reserved for young women at thetime. There was such a large number of vocations that as early as 1954it was decided to expand outside of Canada. Chile became the secondland of welcome for three Canadian pioneers. TodayChile constitutesan autonomous district led by Chileans.

Throughout the yearsthe Institute spread successively in South AmericaAsiaEuropetheWest Indies and in Africa. Todaythere are around 600 members presentin twenty countries.

A pamphlet prepared forthe anniversary describes the mission as follows: “Our missionis similar to that of all secular institutes. It commits us to a responsiblepresence and to a transforming action within the temporal realitiesto make them more just and more human. As Oblatesthis mission specificallyinvites uslike Christto manifest the unconditional love of God theFather to everyone by revealing the signs of His presence at the heartof daily life. We live this commitment in different milieusthrougha trade or a profession of our choiceand by sharing the concerns commonto all.”

Availability to the Father’swillunconditional and universal love of neighborunselfish serviceto others and devotion to Mary are components of the charism that continuallyinspire each Oblate Missionary as she carries out her mission. (Fromhttp://www.inst-seculier-ommi.com).

ANTONY Sylvester (Jaffna): Preach Christ and Him Crucified. A spiritual study on the interiorexperience of St. Paul on the road to Damascus and of St. Eugene’sGood Friday experience. Dissertation for the licentiate in SpiritualTheology submitted to the Pontifical Gregorian UniversityRome 200282 pp.

Barbaric Slavko : Recenel Rosario cada dìarecen juntos (Praying the Rosary EveryDayPraying Together). Meditations on the mysteries of the rosary andother prayers. A tool for personal and community meditation. Translatedby Egel Reinaldo MORILLA. Editrice ShalomCamerata PicenaItaly 2001187 pp.

BATE Stuart C. (Natal): Bibliography on the Catholic Church in South Africa. Publishedon the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of the arrival ofthe first Oblate Missionaries in South Africa. A relatively comprehensivebibliography on the Catholic Church in South Africa from its early beginningsto the present time. This booklet is divided into three parts: Alphabeticallisting of booksarticles and theses; OMI sources of information; Catholicperiodicals past and present. Co-published by the OMI Province of Nataland Grace & TruthA journal of Catholic reflection. Durban2002130 pp.

BATE Stuart C. (Natal): Human Life is Cultural. The author seeks to explore the reasonsfor differences and similarities in human behaviour throughout the world.This book helps us understand the effect of culture in our own livesand to be more open to different forms of human expression. ClusterPublicationsPietermaritzburg 2002158 pp.

Brian Joy : The CatholicChurch in Natal over 150 years. A brief history with photos celebratingthe 150 years of Oblate presence in Natal. DurbanOblates of Mary ImmaculateNatal Province2002147 pp.

CORBIOLI Celso (Italy): I racconti di Fonjumetaw. (The Tales of Fonjumetaw). A missionarydescribes his twenty-five years among the tribes in the forests of SouthwestCameroon. An outstation of Fontem in 1976Fonjumetaw today is a parishwith 42 outstations. OMI Province of ItalyRome2002159 pp.

DADDIO Angelo (Italy): Per la storia dei Missionari OMI al servizio del Santuario dell’Assuntadi S. Maria a Vico. (The History of the Missionary OMI at the Shrineof the Assumption of Mary at Vico.) Written to mark the centenary ofthe arrival of the Oblates at the Shrine of Santa Maria a Vico. It presentsin great detail and in a simple style the history of the shrine andthe life of the men who served there. Diaconia Grafiche e StampaS.Maria A Vico2002157 pp.

DE MAZENOD Eugene : Journal1842-1848. The diary of Eugene de Mazenod for the years 1842-1848.Edited by Yvon BEAUDOIN. Vol. 21 of the Collection “Oblate Writings”(French). General ArchivesRome2002355 pp.

DURIEZ Christian (France): A la rencontre des Kapsiki du Nord-Cameroun. (Encounteringthe Kapsiki of North Cameroon). The fruit of keen observation this workis an excellent introduction to understanding rural life in the MandaraHills of North Cameroon. It also shows how the Gospel helps a peopleto growopen to the worldbut still proud of its customs. The authorwrites of his missionary experience among the Kapsiki from 1961 to 1980.Collection Mémoire d’Églises. ÉditionsKarthalaParis2002186 pp.

JESUTHASAN Philip (SriLanka) : Our Tribute. Volume I. Short biographies of 46 Oblateswho worked in the Lord’s vineyard in Sri Lanka during the period1848-1898. The Oblate Study ClubOblate ScholasticateAmpitiyaSriLanka2001221 pp.

JESUTHASAN Philip (SriLanka) : Our Tribute. Volume IIIPart 2. Short biographies of139 Oblates who worked in the Lord’s vineyard in Sri Lanka duringthe period 1976-1998. The Oblate Study ClubOblate ScholasticateAmpitiyaSri Lanka2001354 pp.

MUBESALA Lanza Baudouin(General Administration) : Les permanences et mutations de la religiontraditionnelle africaine : le cas des Ambuuns de la Républiquedémocratique du Congo. (Constants and Changes in the TraditionalReligion of Africa : The case of the Ambuun People in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo.) Final publication of doctoral thesis. (cf. OMIInfo #411). Tipografia “Leberit”Roma2002270 pp.

MUNZUBU Rogatien (Congo): Pentecôte sans Église ? (Pentecost without Church?) Reflections on the pneumatological foundations of Christian unity.Editions BaobabKinshasa200262 pp.

Niescior Leon (Poland): Asceza chrzeœcijañska i filozofia w pismach Nila yAncyry. (Christian Asceticism and Philosophy in the Writingsof Nil of Ancyra) Doctoral thesis presented at Adam Mickiewicz University.Faculty of Theology PressPoznan2001. Seria Studia i Materialy. Vol.37280 pp.

PROVENCHER Normand (N.D.Rosaire) : El Dios vivo (The Living God.) Spanish translationby Miguel Montes González of the original French DieuLeVivant (Godthe Living One). The authora well known Canadiantheologianpresents a comprehensive and readable synthesis of the contemporarytheology of God. All readers will find it an aid to understanding theChristian faiththrough an openly spiritual process. Editorial SalTerrae – SantanderMaliaño (Cantabria) Spain2002212pp.

STOMMEL Herbert (Namibia): Bruder Oswald BraunO.M.I. 50 Jahre Missionar in Namibia.(Bro. Oswald BraunO.M.I.Missionary in Namibia for 50 Years). Briefbiography with color photos. Includes some writings of Bro. Braun. Angelus– PrintingWindhoek64 pp.

THILL Georges (Belgique-Sud): Le dialogue des savoirs. (Dialogue of the Fields of Learning).In debate with Alfred Brochardformer journalist of the Soir(Brussels)the author decries the unbridled competition that goes withthe globalization of the economyfinance and technology. He pleadsfor the development of associative networks that would complement theformer institutions. Editions Luc Pire et Editions Ch. L. MayerBrussels2001137 pp.

WARNAKULASURIYA VernonDerrick (Pakistan) : Initiatives of the Oblates of Mary Immaculatetowards Evangelization in Multi-religious Milieu in Sri Lanka. Apaper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the licentiatein missiology. Pontifical Gregorian UniversityRome2002111 pp.

The last Communiquéof the General Council (#86) noted that the Information Service is inthe process of changing from a printed format to an electronic formof communication using E-mail and the Internet. Hopefully by Januaryof 2004 we will be able to finish the transition. Already five Provincesand Delegations have agreed to provide their e-mail lists or acceptedto print-out and distribute the copies needed for those Oblates or housesthat do not have E-mail/Internet access.

While consultation withthe Major Superiors goes on concerning the ways to best make this transitionwe renew our invitation to subscribe to the OMI Information E-mailService. The OMI Information and OMI Documentationare also available on the OBCOM website (www.omiobcom.org). The Communiquéwill also be posted on the website when the restructuring of the siteis completed and a “reserved”password access only sectionis ready.

To subscribe to theOMI Information E-Mail Service:

Send an e-mail to information@omigen.orgindicating your e-mail address and the language desired.(Six languages currently available. As of January 2004this will belimited to EnglishFrench and Spanish. Other translations may be donelocally.)

2.Indicate the currentpostal address at which you are now receiving our publications.It is understood that you will be removed from our postal mailing list.

The texts are sent intwo formats : as Microsoft Word RTF file and Adobe PDF file. Save theattached files to your computer and select the format you want. AcrobatReader is necessary to read the PDF format. It may be downloaded freeof charge from <Adobe.com>.