Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
DZ
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - The African continent is renewing itself in terms of support and ongoing training for pastoral workers. For a long time, enormous efforts have been made to offer missionaries and pastoral workers quality initial formation in Africa, but so far very little has been done. Father Donald Zagore, theologian of the Society for African Missions (SMA) writes this to Agenzia Fides in reference to the recent creation of a permanent formation program in Africa called ICOF (International Congregation of Ongoing Formation).
"This is a fundamental and far-reaching project for the Church in Africa which is taking place in Tanzania, the Central African Republic and Ivory Coast, with the support of some religious congregations, including SMA, Missionaries of Africa, Spiritans, Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles and Missionary Sisters of Africa".
"To date - explains the missionary - the most popular destination for ongoing formation was Europe. With this new tool, the Church in Africa has just acquired an important tool to take charge of the spiritual, intellectual and pastoral health of missionaries and pastoral workers".
According to the note sent to Fides, ICOF aims to be an updating program, a space for renewal, for sharing spiritual, pastoral and even theological experiences. "An intense moment of internationality and integration - concludes Fr. Zagore -. This program is an expression of the vitality of the Church in Africa and especially of the missionary congregations to continue to put their forces and resources at the service of the well-being of missionaries and pastoral workers in Africa". (DZ/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 3/7/2021)
