Abuja – The terrorist attacks against Christian churches on Christmas Day itself have shaken and disturbed the whole Christian community in Nigeria. The Salesians in the country, while being aware of the present dangers continue with their usual efforts: on behalf of the young and promoting their all-round development, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

The bomb placed in front of the church of “Saint Theresa” in Madalla, as well as the other explosions between 24 and 25 December in Christian places of worship have been claimed as their work by the fundamentalist Islamic group “Boko Haram”, which means “western education is a sin.” The main aims of this group is the creation of a Muslim state in Nigeria, the extension  of Sharia Law throughout Nigeria and the elimination of Western Education, which is often identified as being Christian; aims which the group pursues while targeting the Christian communities in the country.

“A religious confrontation between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria today, could push this country of 160 million people into a deadly Civil and Religious war that could de-stabilize the whole Sub-region and the Region,” a local source reports. “Thank God, there has not been retaliation from Catholics and Christians during these immediate days after the bombings. On the contrary, the answer has been ‘prayers’ for the victims and the victimizers. On the other hand, Religious and Civil authorities have condemned the bombings in no uncertain terms.”

As a religious community dedicated to the education of the young, the Salesians in the country are now on the alert; yet relationships of dialogue and respect built up with all the religious groups mean that it is possible to look to the future with confidence: “The relationship between Muslims and Salesians has always been cordial and respectful” the local source continues. “They do appreciate the educational efforts of the Salesians, especially in the field of technical education, and the preparation of young people for the world of work.”

The educational and pastoral strategy of the Salesians in all the countries of the Vice Province of  English-speaking West Africa (AFW) – some of them with a Muslim majority such as Sierra Leone, and others with large Muslim communities such as Ghana, Liberia  and indeed Nigeria – has always been based on dialogue, tolerance, collaboration and respect for the other religions.

“In all the Salesian Schools Muslim students and even Muslim teachers who are in love with Don Bosco’s Preventive System are welcomed. In the schools and oratories- youth centres, Christian and Muslim prayers are recited as a sign of respect and tolerance. Many Muslim boys and girls enjoy Don Bosco’s loving kindness,” our correspondent concludes.

In his Apostolic Exhortation “Africae Munus”, Benedict XVI invites all the members of the Church to persist in the esteem for Muslims: “If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism. In her social apostolate, the Church does not make religious distinctions. She comes to the help of those in need, be they Christian, Muslim or animist. In this way she bears witness to the love of God, creator of all, and she invites the followers of other religions to demonstrate respect and to practise reciprocity in a spirit of esteem. I ask the whole Church, through patient dialogue with Muslims, to seek juridical and practical recognition of religious freedom, so that every citizen in Africa may enjoy not only the right to choose his religion freely and to engage in worship, but also the right to freedom of conscience. Religious freedom is the road to peace.” [par. 94]

ANS - Published 28/12/2011

Abuja – The terrorist attacks against Christian churches on Christmas Day itself have shaken and disturbed the whole Christian community in Nigeria. The Salesians in the country, while being aware of the present dangers continue with their usual efforts: on behalf of the young and promoting their all-round development, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

The bomb placed in front of the church of “Saint Theresa” in Madalla, as well as the other explosions between 24 and 25 December in Christian places of worship have been claimed as their work by the fundamentalist Islamic group “Boko Haram”, which means “western education is a sin.” The main aims of this group is the creation of a Muslim state in Nigeria, the extension  of Sharia Law throughout Nigeria and the elimination of Western Education, which is often identified as being Christian; aims which the group pursues while targeting the Christian communities in the country.

“A religious confrontation between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria today, could push this country of 160 million people into a deadly Civil and Religious war that could de-stabilize the whole Sub-region and the Region,” a local source reports. “Thank God, there has not been retaliation from Catholics and Christians during these immediate days after the bombings. On the contrary, the answer has been ‘prayers’ for the victims and the victimizers. On the other hand, Religious and Civil authorities have condemned the bombings in no uncertain terms.”

As a religious community dedicated to the education of the young, the Salesians in the country are now on the alert; yet relationships of dialogue and respect built up with all the religious groups mean that it is possible to look to the future with confidence: “The relationship between Muslims and Salesians has always been cordial and respectful” the local source continues. “They do appreciate the educational efforts of the Salesians, especially in the field of technical education, and the preparation of young people for the world of work.”

The educational and pastoral strategy of the Salesians in all the countries of the Vice Province of  English-speaking West Africa (AFW) – some of them with a Muslim majority such as Sierra Leone, and others with large Muslim communities such as Ghana, Liberia  and indeed Nigeria – has always been based on dialogue, tolerance, collaboration and respect for the other religions.

“In all the Salesian Schools Muslim students and even Muslim teachers who are in love with Don Bosco’s Preventive System are welcomed. In the schools and oratories- youth centres, Christian and Muslim prayers are recited as a sign of respect and tolerance. Many Muslim boys and girls enjoy Don Bosco’s loving kindness,” our correspondent concludes.

In his Apostolic Exhortation “Africae Munus”, Benedict XVI invites all the members of the Church to persist in the esteem for Muslims: “If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism. In her social apostolate, the Church does not make religious distinctions. She comes to the help of those in need, be they Christian, Muslim or animist. In this way she bears witness to the love of God, creator of all, and she invites the followers of other religions to demonstrate respect and to practise reciprocity in a spirit of esteem. I ask the whole Church, through patient dialogue with Muslims, to seek juridical and practical recognition of religious freedom, so that every citizen in Africa may enjoy not only the right to choose his religion freely and to engage in worship, but also the right to freedom of conscience. Religious freedom is the road to peace.” [par. 94]

ANS - Published 28/12/2011

In the month of June in the whole of Africa, African Children’s  Day is celebrated. It is an occasion to give special attention to the children in the youngest continent and to foster greater concern on their behalf. Salesian centres have also marked the day.

In Onitsha different activities carried on by different sectors have been celebrated in this month.

- The Children day organized by the Don Bosco Oratory where 14th primary and secondary schools of the nearer quarters participated;

- The Cultural day (10th June) organized by the Don Bosco Secondary school. 

- Even the Don Bosco Technical Institute made the memory during their Seminar-Orientation (16th-17th June) for the students ready to start the Industrial Attachment stage.

African Children’s  Day was first introduced in 1991 by the then Organisation of  African Unity, now the African Union, in memory of the victims of the killings in Soweto in 1976 and of the denial of childrens’t rights in the continent. On 16 June 1976 thousands of black children, youngsters and young students took to the streets in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, protesting about the poor quality of their education and the imposition of the “Afrikaans” language of the whites in schools The Police reaction was extreme and in the protests on the following days hundreds of young Africans were shot.

In the month of June in the whole of Africa, African Children’s  Day is celebrated. It is an occasion to give special attention to the children in the youngest continent and to foster greater concern on their behalf. Salesian centres have also marked the day.

In Onitsha different activities carried on by different sectors have been celebrated in this month.

- The Children day organized by the Don Bosco Oratory where 14th primary and secondary schools of the nearer quarters participated;

- The Cultural day (10th June) organized by the Don Bosco Secondary school. 

- Even the Don Bosco Technical Institute made the memory during their Seminar-Orientation (16th-17th June) for the students ready to start the Industrial Attachment stage.

African Children’s  Day was first introduced in 1991 by the then Organisation of  African Unity, now the African Union, in memory of the victims of the killings in Soweto in 1976 and of the denial of childrens’t rights in the continent. On 16 June 1976 thousands of black children, youngsters and young students took to the streets in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, protesting about the poor quality of their education and the imposition of the “Afrikaans” language of the whites in schools The Police reaction was extreme and in the protests on the following days hundreds of young Africans were shot.

The promotion of the culture through the local traditions.

With this title, the Don Bosco Secondaru School celebrated for the first time “ The first Cultural Fiesta”. “Omenala” is the Igbo word for “Culture”. If you translate literally you can say “what  creates local environment”.

Knowing and practicing the local traditions you make your own identity grows and you preserve and promote the value of your culture. The educator respects these values and transform them in means to educate the pupils towards maturity.

The promotion of the culture through the local traditions.

With this title, the Don Bosco Secondaru School celebrated for the first time “ The first Cultural Fiesta”. “Omenala” is the Igbo word for “Culture”. If you translate literally you can say “what  creates local environment”.

Knowing and practicing the local traditions you make your own identity grows and you preserve and promote the value of your culture. The educator respects these values and transform them in means to educate the pupils towards maturity.

On 25 May ”Africa Day” is celebrated world-wide commemorating the institution in 1963 of the ”Organisation of African Unity” (OAU), which in 2002 became the present African Union. Starting 120 years ago, the Salesians of Don Bosco are now working in 41 countries in this large continent.

With 53 countries Africa has almost a thousand million inhabitants. Rich in natural resourses including oil and diamonds, this continent, considered the cradle of human civilisation is the poorest in the world and life expectation is less than 50 years.

One of the problems which afflicts Africa is the fact that little is said about it in the globalised world of communication. According to common public opinion Africa is the continent of wars, poverty sickness. The media take an interest in Africa only in the case of conflicts, emergencies, political corruption, humanitarian disasters. There is a great shortage of information regarding the many positive aspects of this continent, to which needs to be added a certain new colonialism, which while for the present leaving political and social management free, is subjecting many African nations to economic bondage.

The Salesians of Don Bosco believe that Africa is full of hope and has  a great future. Present in 41 of the 53 countries in Africa, the Sons of Don Bosco have been engaged since 1891, the year when the first foundation was made at  Orán (Algeria), in the human and Christian development of the young, especially those most in need, such as child soldiers and street children . The commitment of the Salesians to evangelisation following the example handed down by Don Bosco is linked to human development and to the safeguarding of human rights. There are many works and projects in the areas of schooling, health education and the prevention of aids, of the promotion of women, of safeguarding the environment and cultural development.

In many countries in the world ”Africa Day” is celebrated with events and exhibitions aimed at making better known the cultural, artistic and historical  heritage of the continent.

On 25 May ”Africa Day” is celebrated world-wide commemorating the institution in 1963 of the ”Organisation of African Unity” (OAU), which in 2002 became the present African Union. Starting 120 years ago, the Salesians of Don Bosco are now working in 41 countries in this large continent.

With 53 countries Africa has almost a thousand million inhabitants. Rich in natural resourses including oil and diamonds, this continent, considered the cradle of human civilisation is the poorest in the world and life expectation is less than 50 years.

One of the problems which afflicts Africa is the fact that little is said about it in the globalised world of communication. According to common public opinion Africa is the continent of wars, poverty sickness. The media take an interest in Africa only in the case of conflicts, emergencies, political corruption, humanitarian disasters. There is a great shortage of information regarding the many positive aspects of this continent, to which needs to be added a certain new colonialism, which while for the present leaving political and social management free, is subjecting many African nations to economic bondage.

The Salesians of Don Bosco believe that Africa is full of hope and has  a great future. Present in 41 of the 53 countries in Africa, the Sons of Don Bosco have been engaged since 1891, the year when the first foundation was made at  Orán (Algeria), in the human and Christian development of the young, especially those most in need, such as child soldiers and street children . The commitment of the Salesians to evangelisation following the example handed down by Don Bosco is linked to human development and to the safeguarding of human rights. There are many works and projects in the areas of schooling, health education and the prevention of aids, of the promotion of women, of safeguarding the environment and cultural development.

In many countries in the world ”Africa Day” is celebrated with events and exhibitions aimed at making better known the cultural, artistic and historical  heritage of the continent.

Another young salesian, Anthony Ekezie, has been ordained priest in Onitsha, for the AFW Vice Province.  The celebration, which took place in the Most of Holy Trinity Basilica – Onitsha, on 21^st May 2011, concluded the activities of the awareness Vocational week.  In this month of May, the pilgrimage of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary  throughout the different department of the mission is taking on. It is this a tradition which testify our devotion and our love for the Mather of Jesus.  She is guiding and protecting with his kindness and maternal attention.

Another young salesian, Anthony Ekezie, has been ordained priest in Onitsha, for the AFW Vice Province.  The celebration, which took place in the Most of Holy Trinity Basilica – Onitsha, on 21^st May 2011, concluded the activities of the awareness Vocational week.  In this month of May, the pilgrimage of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary  throughout the different department of the mission is taking on. It is this a tradition which testify our devotion and our love for the Mather of Jesus.  She is guiding and protecting with his kindness and maternal attention.