News

November 22, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

Yes, Father, we go with you!

The National Director of Schoenstatt in Argentina, Father Pablo Perez, asked Monsignor Jorge Gonzalez, who was consecrated bishop last September 15th, to celebrate the November Covenant Mass for the Movement in Argentina.

Bishop González was a member of the Schoenstatt Youth in the city of La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires; he is a member of the Schoenstatt Federation of Diocesan Priests and the current Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of La Plata. Monsignor González accepted the invitation and celebrated the Mass in the Schoenstatt Shrine in La Plata, a Shrine thats was blessed by Bishop Antonio Plaza on August 15, 1965, a few months before Father Kentenich was rehabilitated by Pope Paul VI in all his functions as founder of the Schoenstatt Work.

Inspiration in times of uncertainty

In his homily, Monsignor Gonzalez gave a strong emphasis on the signs of the times and called to keep the faith alive, making a brief historical review of the crosses that Father Joseph Kentenich lived, during his childhood and then during the time of exile. His words invite us to remember the road we have walked as a Schoenstatt family until today. A homily that serves as an inspiration in these moments of uncertainty.

We transcribe below the parts of the homily that refer to this theme.

Kentenich: priest and prophet of our time

It is a new anniversary of the birth of our Father and Founder, Fr. Kentenich’s, in a year that has been strong in public repercussions, once again we face new challenges. We must learn to read what happened as a renewed test through which our Father’s charism must pass in order to reach an accurate and healthy knowledge of his contribution to the Church, which we from La Plata usually call “the liberation of his charism.

We must not be confused. In this framework that I have just shared with you, we thank God, on this Covenant Day, for a man, a priest and a prophet of our time: Father Joseph Kentenich. Born on November 16, 1885 in Gymnich, Germany, died on September 15, 1968, in the Adoration Church, Schoenstatt, ordained a priest on July 8, 1910, who exercised his ministry uninterruptedly for 58 years.

Charismatic educator

His great task and lifelong passion was the new man in the new community, laying the foundation for a new social order throughout the world. Not satisfied with an accurate diagnosis of the current crisis, he knew how to audaciously put his hands to work, giving on a small scale a global response to the present problems. A charismatic educator, his system was not developed in the abstract or from a desk, but rather in daily contact with men and women, with life, in the midst of continuous difficulties and struggles.

The fate of the world is decided for the next centuries

A time that saw the most unprecedented change in history: the First and Second World Wars, the Russian Revolution and the Chinese Revolution, the advance in science and technology, the Second Vatican Council. Fr. Kentenich even learned of the hardships of a concentration camp. With a prophetic vision he understood the background of the great contemporary historical process, when he wrote, as a prisoner in Koblenz in 1941: “On the horizon the great structural lines of a new order in the world are slowly taking shape: an ancient world is on fire

We can say then that Kentenich is a man of frontiers, the twilight of a time that is ending and the dawn of the future. Thus his life’s task also acquires secular dimensions. In relation to the past, he sought to carefully capture and keep alive in his work “all that is great and beautiful that the last four centuries have revealed about the still hidden splendor of the divine idea -of man”. (Oktoberbrief 1949). And towards the future his gaze extended to the next four or five hundred years: “The best of all nations instinctively feel that we are before a historical change of epochs of secular dimensions; that now the dice are falling that will decide the destinies of the world for the next four or five centuries”, (op.cit). This explains why he affirmed that his mission was not so much to break spears for the present effectiveness of the Church, but to commit himself deeply to its future destiny and vitality (1955).

His reputation for holiness is extraordinarily widespread

We should not get confused. His process of canonization was opened on February 10, 1975 in the Diocese of Trier by the same Bishop Stein who had sent him to Milwaukee years earlier. I bring this to mind, because it is a sign that already tells us a lot. We are witnesses too, that. People from every continent testify that in him they have found a convincing example of living the Gospel, they have felt supported in their faith and have entrusted themselves to his intercession before God. Hundreds of Schoenstatt Shrines scattered in so many countries are places of encounter with God.

We are filial, not immature adults or naive children

We should not get confused. On this Covenant Day, on Father’s birthday, as a Schoenstatt Family in Argentina, it is time to renew our YES FATHER, LET’S GO WITH YOU! And we go with you knowing that Fr. Kentenich was a human being, with all that that means… not a heavenly entity. We are affiliates, not immature adults, naive children. Nor does this mean that we should question Father’s sexual moral integrity, that would be foolish.

Lies are falsehoods told in a true context

I am sure that many of the brothers from La Plata will know to whom I am referring, because it comes to my mind what a great professor of Philosophy we had in the seminary used to say and who also taught in other areas of the city (of La Plata) and Buenos Aires, those to whom the city and the Church of La Plata should have honored more than what we have done. He always said: “a lie is a truth told in a false context or a falsehood told in a true context”. It is very simple. If I say that for six months the Schoenstatters from La Plata did not set foot in the Shrine, I am telling the truth. But if I do not clarify the context, if I give the impression that the context is the mediocrity of the faith of the Schoenstatters, I am lying. I lie and defame.

Yes, Father, we go with you!

We are facing situations that Fr. Kentenich has already experienced. But it is not up to me, who is just taking my first steps as auxiliary bishop of a diocese so far away from the events that are again being questioned 72 years later, to issue a statement on these very delicate issues. The diocese where Schoenstatt is located, the diocese of Trier, is already taking care of this. It is there that the process of canonization was begun and as such, a possible place to speak again of events that took place so long ago.

On the other hand, and it is important that we all know this, the General Presidency of the Movement created an Investigation Commission, not to compete with the diocese in any way, but to explain and to frame all the gestures, attitudes and words of Fr. Kentenich is a psychological, pedagogical and religious system of its own, founded on the tradition of the Church, which we Schoenstatters have certainly enjoyed, but which we have not sufficiently explained in a scientific way. The General Presidency of the Movement is committed to this. Our compatriots are working hard, children of this same Shrine of Liberation.

Let us place all of this in the hands of the Blessed Mother. Let us accompany this road with our constant prayer, with our Capital of Grace and with our Yes, Father, we go with you!

November 20, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

“MINT Teacher of the Year”

A Sister of Mary from the Schoenstatt Movement is the "MINT Teacher of the Year

By Hna. M. Verena Röhrig

There is great joy at the Schoenstatt Marian School (SMS) in Vallendar, which is still in the splendor of its 75th anniversary; because Sister Christamaria Brück, herself a former student and now a teacher of Catholic religion, mathematics and computer science, received the Klaus von Klitzing Prize on November 10, 2020. This prize is awarded to teachers who are especially dedicated to the so-called MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology). Klaus von Klitzing, the winner of the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physics, has dedicated himself to promoting this commitment

VIRTUAL AWARD CEREMONY

Professor Klaus von Klitzing usually presents the award in Oldenburg, where the EWE Foundation – responsible for the award, and the Carl von Ossietzky University there, as its partner – are based. In view of the Crown Virus pandemic, this time the award ceremony took place virtually in different locations: in Stuttgart, Oldenburg and Schoenstatt.

With Sister Christamaria, a small group of students and teachers in the spacious school cafeteria waited eagerly for the award ceremony. Among them was Sister M. Gabriele Schreck, the school principal, and a special guest of honor, Sister M. Aleja Slaughter, General Superior of our community of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Many followed the program – which lasted about an hour – with much excitement through the live broadcast.

SELECTED FROM 48 “FIRST CLASS” CANDIDATES…

After greetings from Marion Rövekamp, Chair of the EWE Foundation Board, the President of the University of Oldenburg, Professor Hans Michael Piper, and a scientific lecture by Christoph Hahn on the meaning of kale, the long-awaited moment arrived: the announcement of Sister Christamaria as the winner of the award. Marion Rövekamp emphasized that Sister Christamaria had been selected unanimously by the jury from a circle of 48 “first class” applicants. Professor Klaus von Klitzing expressed his regret that he could not present the award in person in Oldenburg, but virtually in Stuttgart, where he carries out research work at the Max Planck Institute.

In her speech, Sister M. Gabriele Schreck said that Sister Christamaria received the award on behalf of the whole school, for all the committed teachers. She highlighted the “extraordinary commitment” of her co-sister, as well as the “genuine enthusiasm” and ability to develop the best in the students.

WE NEED WOMEN LIKE YOU.

He literally said, “Today we have to find answers to the many ethical, medical and ecological questions, which are pressing, to name just a few of the hot topics. That’s why we need women like you, who are committed with their mind, will and heart to empowering many young people to commit to finding viable and responsible solutions.

The director of the school, thanked Sister Christamaría, for her valuable contribution to the Schoenstatt Marian School, in which, just like Father Kentenich, the founder of Schoenstatt and of the school, strives to have his ear to the heart of God and his hand to the pulse of the times. In thanking the sponsors of the award, Sister M. Gabriele pointed out the perspective of being able to discover and form the researchers of the future with the award and thus fulfill the Christian responsibility for the new configuration of society. She stressed: “Young women in particular are needed to introduce the female perspective into the sciences of the MINT and thus enable a more lively vision to be adopted. Being a school for girls with a focus on the natural sciences, we see our mission here as very specific”.

ROBOT AG “A PLACE OF JOY”

The grateful and proud Karolin Gräwer, 11th grade, gave a commendable speech. As she said, she experienced Sister Christamaria as a “special teacher” as early as 5th grade in religion and basic education in information technology. Since 6th grade, she participated in the robot weekends that Sister Christamaria provided with the project: Robot-AG (working group). She had so much fun building and programming robots that she successfully participated in the ‘First Lego’ league competitions each year along with other interested students. As the student confessed, Robot-AG became “a place of joy”.

Finally she revealed Sister Christamaria’s recipe for success: “Every Friday shows us how much fun and enjoyment you can have with technology. She likes to help with problems, gives ideas, but never reveals the real solution. She always lets us try everything, and if something doesn’t work, she encourages us to find a solution quickly. With his tireless commitment he convinces everyone. His positive attitude transfers to us, the students, and that’s why we don’t want to miss the GA at our school anymore”.

Also, Karolin Gräwer called attention to Sister Christamaria’s commitment to digitalization. With a small group of students, Sister created the Cocuun school’s own communication platform in 2017, from which all classes, teachers and parents will benefit.

As Karolin Gräwer explained, Sister Christamaria not only places importance on technical knowledge by supporting the students in the technical team or leading the reconstruction of the school website, but also on the preservation of Christian values and personality development by offering early classes and inviting them to the “I’m on my way” pilgrimage weekend. The student also emphasized Sister Christamaria’s “passion for mathematics”, her patience to explain and her serenity with which she also motivates students for whom mathematics is not a favorite subject. In addition, Karoline Gräwer confessed: “Sister Christamaria always listens to us carefully and takes the time to address our concerns and needs. You can feel the great connection she builds with us students. We can learn a lot from Sr. Christamaria, not only academically but also humanly. With much joy in life and through her open and friendly way of showing others, she has become a role model for us.

Karoline Gräwer is convinced that Sister Christamaria definitely deserves the Klaus von Klitzing Prize, “because it shows, especially with her commitment in the area of MINT, how well girls can also develop in that area. This area is still considered male-dominated, so it should be noted that she is the first sister and the first woman after six consecutive male winners to receive this award. By supporting growing women, it gives us a glimpse of an area we probably would not have dared to enter otherwise. It encourages us all to never give up and to keep going no matter what obstacles are put in our way.

MANY THANKS TO STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES

Finally, Sister Christamaria thanked the EWE Foundation, Professor von Klitzing and the jury for the award. She then said that thanks to the implementation of the computer course of the graduating class of 2018 who, with their enthusiasm and willingness to invest time, gave the starting signal for the first robots in SMS. He also thanked the friends of the school and the alumni association for their generous financial support and the school management for the “Promotion Room”. He also thanked the collaborators: Dr. Fislake from the University of Koblenz and Mr. Schwaderlapp from Exec Software, for the good cooperation and the promotions they have offered.

Sister Christamaria also thanked all the parents who contribute their expertise to Robots AG, especially Ms. Plies and Ms. Pötzschke.

Sister Christamaria expressed her greatest gratitude to her students and colleagues, because it means a lot to her to shape the school day together with them in such a way that the students can develop their talents and personality and take advantage of their opportunities. Sister Christamaria stated:

“Here with us, co-responsibility, freedom, creativity, commitment, friendship and team spirit count. For all your cooperation I say thank you with all my heart!

That is why I am firmly convinced that the Klaus von Klitzing Prize belongs not only to me, but to all of us. Thank you”.

November 16, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

Father Alexandre Awi Mello is appointed advisor to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America

The Press Office of the Holy See announced this Friday, November 13, the appointment by Pope Francis of Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello as advisor to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America -CAL-.

By Enrique Soros

Fr. Awi Mello, a member of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, was born on January 17, 1971 in Rio de Janeiro. He was ordained a priest on July 7, 2001 and has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar of Nossa Senhora das Dores in Santa Maria, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul; Advisor of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Youth for the Southeast of Brazil and National Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Brazil, where the Pilgrim image of the Virgin of Schoenstatt reaches 14 million people every month through its missionaries all over the country. This apostolate was initiated by Joao Pozzobon, who began to take the image of the Virgin of Schoenstatt to the homes of families in Santa Maria, Brazil and ended up traveling 140,000 kms. in 30 years. Today the Pilgrim Mother of Schoenstatt Campaign is spread in more than 100 countries.

Fr. Alexandre studied Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Santiago, Chile; then, he obtained his degree in Theology at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule in Vallendar, Germany, in 2000. He was Professor of Pastoral and Systematic Theology, in Londrina, at the Paul VI Institute, between 2002 and 2004, and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil, between 2005 and 2009, and since 2012, in São Paulo, at the Salesian University Center and the Faculty of São Bento. He received his doctorate in Mariology from the University of Dayton International Marian Research Institute, in Ohio, USA, and is the author of the book “Ella es mi mamá, Encuentros del Papa Francisco con María”, published by Editorial Patris, in Argentina.

He was director of the magazine Tabor, and has published several articles in specialized catechism and pastoral magazines. In 2007, he participated in the Commission of the Final Document of the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopal Council in Aparecida, Brazil, as secretary of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who was in charge of the above-mentioned committee. In 2013 he welcomed and accompanied Pope Francis in his visitation to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, at the request of the same Pontiff.

Beyond his theological and intellectual strength, Fr. Alexandre is a man of pastoral work. In the line of Pope Francis, he gives profound importance to the reality of the soul of the people, to their experiences and to their reality. He works with ecclesial movements and new communities, with families, with youth, being aware of the relevance of personal bonds, of guidance during the task of evangelization. That is why he was vibrating with the youth at the Synod on Youth, and with them, he gives great importance to the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis to the young Christus Vivit.

November 13, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

Status of the investigation in the Vatican Archives about Fr. Kentenich

Vatican Archives Closed

Fr. Eduardo Aguirre, postulator of the cause of canonization reports

Fr. Eduardo Aguirre, postulator of the cause of canonization of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, is in Rome studying the documents related to the visitations of Schoenstatt and Fr. Kentenich’s exile until 1958, when Pope Pius XII died, and whose archives were opened a few months ago. The priest reports that because of the increase of cases of covid in Italy, all archives and libraries have been closed. This is also the case in the Vatican such that since Monday, November 9^th, he could no longer enter the Archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). It is possible that he will not be able to return until next year. “I will be able to study the records of Fr. Kentenich’s cause in more detail, which includes hundreds of documents and thousands of pages,” says the postulator.

Regarding the analized documents, he expressed “in these three weeks, I managed to study some 360 documents, consisting of about 2,130 pages written in German, Latin, and Italian, and some in Spanish. Many of then are handwritten, especially the writings of Fr. Tromp, which are mostly in Latin.” He adds that “even though there are many more documents to study, from 1954 to 1958, the year which Pope Pius XII died. Therefore, this investigation has not been concluded yet.”

On the contents of the investigated files

In respect to the contents, the reasons for the visitation, and the confrontations with the CDF, Fr. Aguirre has found little new information and explains that “many documents that are found in the Archive of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith were already known during the process of beatification of Fr. Kentenich and are present in the archives of the cause.”

The postulator explains that “therefore, the decrees, the main accusations, and denunciations against our Father and founder, against the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, against the Schoenstatt diocesan priests and Pallotine Fathers, against the ideas of Schoenstatt, and the Movement in general were already known, as well as the main accusers.” He adds that “naturally, I also found documents that were not known and that are not in the archives of the cause. They shed more light on the processes and actors of the visitation. But, in terms of the content, in general they do not contribute important unknown or surprising elements.”

Schoenstatt International interviewed Fr. Aguirre. The dialogue is transcribed below:

When will it be possible to have a clear vision of the content of the documents in these archives?

We will have to wait until we are able to access the study of the Archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The date is not determined and depends on how the situation with the pandemic evolves in the coming months and on the measures that are taken in respect to it.

What implications does the Vatican archives closing have for the investigation?

Naturally, this implies a long delay in the study of these documents of the CDF, especially between 1954 and 1958, which are the years that I did not manage to study. But this does not mean that I cannot continue investigating the documents of the cause of the beatification of Fr. Kentenich, which comprises an enormous quantity of writings and which contains texts from close to 110 archives that have been consulted throughout the cause of Fr. Kentenich.

In this time in which you had access to the archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has there been any important document that has not been studied in the process of beatification?

Of the documents that I have been able to see until now and that have not been considered in the cause, it seems to me that the most important ones are the reports around the Apostolic Visitation between 1951 and 1953, writings by the Visitator, Fr. Tromp. There are four reports that were presented internally to the CDF and that cover around 200 pages written in Latin. These reports have since been kept under wraps until now. Thus there are other internal texts of the CDF, which were not known, acts of deliberations, contributions, and opinions of other consulting theologians of the CDF.

Likewise, I was able to find a good number of writings that reached the CDF and even the Holy Father, Pius XII, in defense of the suitability of Fr. Kentenich, of his teachings and practices, as well as clarifications in relation to the spirituality and pedagogy of Schoenstatt, and of the significance of the person of the founder for the Family of Schoenstatt. Many of them do not exist in the documentation for the cause.

What consequences do you think that the publication of the accusations in question has caused?

With the investigation of these documents and with the controversy that has arisen as a result of the accusatory and infamous publications against Fr. Kentenich of these last months, the accusations and defamations that Fr. Kentenich suffered after the visitations and during the time of his exile have been revived, in part and to some extent.

I think that it can be said that, for the current generation of the Family of Schoenstatt, this situation is motivating and even demanding a more in-depth study of this stage of the history of Schoenstatt and of knowing and understanding the person, the life, and the charism of its founder more profoundly.

Likewise, all this controversy helps us to remember that Fr. Kentenich is a human being, who has limits, who was not infallible, who could make mistakes and sin (he confessed regularly), who did not always receive the results that he expected, and who could err in the judgement and understanding of some people who collaborated with him in founding Schoenstatt.

Obviously, Fr. Kentenich was not born a saint. And if he became a saint, it was through his path of life and through a rather hazardous history, in which he always struggled to allow himself to be guided by Divine Providence, to carry out the will of God, and to place himself in the hands of Mary, his mother and educator, aspiring to reach the ideal of sanctity. If he reached this ideal or not is what the Church must come to declare, after careful investigation of his life and work, through the process that is being carried out.

However, without ignoring that evidently Fr. Kentenich had limitations and erred like every human being, he was never accused by the CDF of acts of immorality or of abuse and violence against any person. Fr. Kentenich himself, insofar as he came to know some accusations and defamations in this regard, categorically denied them. And because of the confrontation that he had with the Supreme Tribunal of the Church, we can be sure that the CDF did not cover up or turn a “blind eye” to offenses of this type.

Finally, I think that we have to thank this current controversy which will help us to know and understand the person of Fr. Kentenich and his charism with greater realism, depth, and breadth.

Is any publication planned focusing on the investigated contents?

Naturally. A more complete, well-founded, and authoritative publication will probably take a long time. For this, we also have to await for the investigations of the Historical Commision, made up of experts, that is being constituted by the Bishop of Trier, who is responsible for the cause of beatification of Fr. Kentenich. This commission will also need time to study the archives of the CDF.

In what way can studying these documents contribute to the mission of the Church today, in the time of Pope Francis?

Without being able to enter now to make a pertinent analysis, but taking into account the accents that have been highlighted in Pope Francis’ pontificate, which promotes a renewal of the life of the Church and its mission, I think that its contribution goes in the sense of an evangelizing Church, open and that goes out, who wants to reach all people of good will and especially the weakest, a Church who values each person, who emphasizes the mercy of God, the reality of human smallness, and the value of human relationships of fraternity in a culture of encounter, to highlight some aspects.

I think it can be said that there is a great harmony with the charism and mission that Fr. Kentenich believed he received from God. Studying the spirituality of Schoenstatt, his pedagogy, his analysis of the present time, and, finally, his work, it can be clearly perceived that Fr. Kentenich gave his life and staked everything to promote a profound renewal of the life of the Church, in harmony with Vatican II, projecting it toward the third millennium, responding, and even anticipating, the profound cultural changes that our time is experiencing, to generate a new covenant culture.

November 10, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

At the side of traumatized children

Prospérine Masika, a member of the Secular Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, is in charge of a program to help orphans in the diocese of Butembo-Beni, Congo. The project collaborator of the Kindermissionswerk (Children's Missionary Work) reports on her work and experiences with children who have experienced terrible things.

The children are the focus of our work, and with the help of the Kindermissionswerk we decided to take care of these especially vulnerable children…We listened to them and offered them support in our rehabilitation program.

Since 2014, rebel groups have been terrorizing the civilian population in the north of the diocese of Butembo-Beni. They kill, rob, rape and kidnap. More than 4,000 people were killed and many more injured and mistreated. Most of the victims are adults. But what happens to the children who have lost their parents, who were victims and witnesses of the most horrible acts and are now defenseless?

The number of orphans that we support together with our partner schools has risen sharply: from 565 girls and boys in 2016 to 862 in 2020. All children used the same term when they talked about the death of their parents: “Balikondaka Papa, balikondaka Mama”, they said in their local language. Translated this means: “You knocked down daddy like you cut down a tree, you knocked down mummy like you cut down a tree.

The children perceive death differently: they had to learn the difference between natural death and murder. They said to us: “At least Papa died of an illness from this or that and was buried with dignity. My papa was strangled or decapitated. He was buried in a plastic bag, sometimes cut into pieces or already decomposed. You could only tell by the clothes that it was him. We couldn’t even bury him for fear of the enemy.” The children accept that everyone must die one day, but they do not accept the way their parents had to die.

Nightmares and fears

In all the village communities we visited, we encountered deep fear, terror, insecurity and fear of the unknown. Post-traumatic stress levels are very high throughout our region. Especially children develop the feeling of being neglected and abandoned, which causes an identity crisis. They ask themselves: Who do I belong to? Most traumatized children have nightmares. Combined with fears, the experiences come up again. The unsteady gaze of these children also makes their fears clear. Many can hardly tell what they experienced during the massacres. They tremble and cry. They are afraid of military uniforms that remind them of the murderers of their parents.

Again and again the question of the identity of the rebel groups is raised in the villages. Why, after so many years of suffering, has the Congolese government still not managed to control these groups? At the same time, many have great hope that God will save his people. Many survivors went to church to pray after the attacks. The image of Our Lady carrying a child in her arms especially calms the children. Some say, “When I look at the picture, I think of my mother cradling me and singing to me. I was moved to see the gifts the children brought to church for their parents at the funeral Mass: they all brought palm nuts and cocoa, the fruit of their parents’ fields.

It was a strong message. Because those who kill and plunder steal the palm nuts, cocoa and wood from the trees. If we ask children about their parents’ memories, they only tell us good things: they remember their mothers’ lullabies, the walks with their fathers, the good meals, the fact that their fathers encouraged them to learn and took care of them when they were sick.

Challenge for the assistants

We find it difficult to respond effectively to the needs of a fragile population: Both adults and children are severely traumatized and have little freedom of movement due to the constant danger of armed groups. They live from agriculture, but constantly fear rape, abduction or even murder as they cultivate their fields. In such a complex environment, it is difficult to define priorities. However, one of our priorities is clearly to support orphans who have been victims of terrible acts. We want to prevent them from suffering the same fate as their parents. Nor do we want them to be recruited by a militia to avenge their relatives. They should feel that they are not alone, that we are with them, that the Church is with them.

Our faith in God and the solidarity of the Church helps us. It is also good to see that our efforts have an effect and help children. The recognition and gratitude of the people in the villages also strengthens us. To better cope with the psychological burden, we helpers meet regularly and exchange ideas. Although we are also vulnerable, we try to be an example for the children. Many perceive us as a substitute for the parents. The positive results of our work, the children’s resilience and the support of our project partners encourage us to continue our work. It is very gratifying for us that almost 90 percent of all the children we accompany have good grades and have passed the school year. In addition, we were able to observe positive development and psychological stabilization in most of the children.