1 From the desk of fr. ken mazur

Dear Readers, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The smiles on the faces of the people are just as nice as their demeanor; everyone is friendly and helpful. I was fortunate to have visited Myanmar a few years ago. A local , who was our host for those few days, helped us across the border with Thailand. Crossing the border used to be much more difficult; when we crossed, you no longer had to leave your passport with them; no longer interrogated by gun-toting border officers; no longer followed everywhere you went by the local police. The country was slowly opening up after decades of a military dictatorship. Myanmar is a mountainous country, and the roads are not in the best shape; many of them were made by Americans and their allies during WWII. In 1866, the Vatican entrusted the country of Burma (its former name) to PIME, and two years later, two of our set sail to begin the mission. In 2018, PIME celebrated 150 years of presence in Myanmar, although most of our missionaries were expelled in the 1960s after the beginning of the dictatorship. The 1950s were tough years. Five of our missionaries were brutally martyred; two of them, Mario Vergara and Alfred Cremonesi, have been beatified. For many years, Myanmar was the world’s largest grower of poppies, which of course, is used to make opium. Just recently, that “honor” was taken over by Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the Golden Triangle, the area where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge, is still a large producer of the drug. In the early hours of February 1st this year, the peaceful and simple, yet busy, lives of the people of Myanmar were shattered by a coup d’etat, a military takeover. Once again, these simple and poor people have been thrown into chaos. We do not hear too much about this on our Evening News because Myanmar is not a country important to the United States. Since the coup in February until today (mid-April), more than 600 innocent citizens, many of them young, peaceful protestors, have been killed by the military. The dictatorship often claims that they have received the “death penalty.” Please pray for the people of Myanmar and our PIME Missionaries.

In Christ,

Fr. Ken Mazur, PIME US Superior

2 May // June 2021 INSIDE

ON THE COVER Mission In the wake of February’s military The Coronavirus has taken the life of coup, the people of Myanmar have 07 the first from Brazil, 12 already faced violent atrocities as PIME Missionary and Bishop in Guinea the world watches and waits. Bissau, Monsignor Pedro Zilli. Fr. Daniele takes a look at a Basilica Featured close to the hearts of Detroiters, with its 19 Sr. Emanuela Nardin, MDI, Art Deco- architecture. incorporates media to help reach students while both educating and 16 Misión en Acción evangelizing in Brazil. Highlights of this month’s issue for PIME’s Lay Missionary our Spanish-speaking supporters. Association offers the opportunity 26 Lo más destacado de la edición de 22 for professionals to lend their help este mes para nuestros partidarios in the missions. hispanohablantes.

Publisher: PIME is present in the following parishes Fr. Ken Mazur, PIME in the United States: Executive Editor: St. Ann & St. Lucy - Harlem New York, NY Fr. Daniele Criscione, PIME San Francesco – Clinton Twp., MI PIMEMISSIONARIES SINCE 1850 Translation: St. Rosalia - Regina Pacis - Brooklyn, NY Fr. Dino Vanin, PIME St. Mary of the - Monroe, MI Editing & Design: (313) 342-4066 Patrick Carroll U.S. Mission Office Mailing in Canada: Proofreading: 17330 Quincy St. 980 Louis Avenue [email protected] Michelle Regner Detroit, MI 48221-2749 Windsor, ON N9A 1X9 www.PIMEusa.org Stacey Bentley 3 Fr. Giovanni Tulino, PIME, shares the mercy of Christ with the Cambodian people through his work as a teacher. Featured

reality of his mission, where there are precisely five Catholics. waiting to The geographical coordinates are those of a suburb south of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The mission here was born in Ta Khmau in 2014, with Fr. Mario Ghezzi, the current Director hear his of the PIME Mission Center in Milan. This birth- place of the mission in Cambodia was entrusted to the hands of Fr. Giovanni Tulino three years ago. voice However, the religious coordinates speak of a pop- ulation of 15 million Buddhists by tradition, and By Anna Pozzi the Catholics number about 20,000 throughout the country. “We practically all know each other!” In the rural area of Ta Khmau, there are only five Fr. Giovanni, who is originally from the province of Catholics. Here, most of the inhabitants have never , , jokes. heard of Jesus. Father Giovanni Tulino’s mission is Born in 1979, he arrived in Cambodia in October one of waiting and of loving freely. of 2014. A country where “almost no one knows Jesus, they have not even heard of him, but where hen it is said that the number of there is room for witnessing and sharing.” Christians can be counted on one’s After spending the first three years dedicated to fingers, it is not an easy metaphor. studying the Khmer language, with knowledge and In theW case of Fr. Giovanni Tulino, PIME, it is the pastoral experiences in the three ecclesial zones in 4 Mission World waiting to hear his voice which the country is divided, Fr. deals mainly with Ompau Prey. knowledge.” Giovanni agreed to move to Ta Ta Khmau should become the Many people think that Fr. Khmau. A suburban area six miles beating heart of this area, even Giovanni is simply a teacher. It is from the capital, it is practically though only two of the baptized the locals who point out that, no, incorporated into the greater are originally from here, while the he is the priest. What does that Phnom Penh. Next year they will other three come from elsewhere. mean? For many, nothing. “Most open a new airport there, and But we also have a group of four people,” he explains, “do not even they recently completed a road women who are going through know what the Church is. They that quickly connects it to the the catechumenate in prepara- think it’s an NGO or something. capital. However, even today in tion for ,” the PIME Mis- But when they experience the Ta Khmau, there are gratuitousness of God, still buildable areas, many doors open. It and the cost of living happens, for example, is a bit lower, making it “It is challenging to when we bring a sick more attractive to the person to the hospital many who prefer to transmit the Lord’s or take care of them commute. Fr. Giovanni without asking divides his time anything in return. It is between Ta Khmau gratuitousness. something that strikes and Phnom Penh. them very much. I am Having done biblical convinced that this is studies in Rome, he In Cambodian, the key to entering the has also agreed to teach hearts of Cambodians: Sacred Scripture in the grace and gratuitous- seminary, deal with there is not even a ness, which do not biblical pastoral work exist in their culture for the diocese, and and mindset. It is not train catechists on the word for ‘Grace’.” easy, on the contrary. Bible on Saturdays. In It is challenging to short, even though we are dealing sionary explains hopefully. transmit the Lord’s gratuitous- with what the PIME Priest calls Some months ago, the ness. In Cambodian, there is not “a small flock,” there is certainly house next to the mission was even a word for ‘Grace’.” no lack of work. “Pastoral activity purchased; a nursery school with Indeed, even from the per- is the one area in which I try to 35 children and an after-school spective of faith, correct termi- invest more than any other, and program were opened. In front of nology represents an obstacle that the one to which I dedicate the the house, there is a large clearing is not easily overcome. “We are at most time,” he says. Not only that, for playing, and upstairs there the very beginning. We are a bit though. The pastoral sector that is a hostel with eight children like the Churches of St. Paul, the he is in charge of consists of three attending secondary school. They first to be able to pass from oral to communities: the central one in come from villages and hope to written tradition,” the missionary Ta Khmau; the one in Koh Noy, continue their studies. “The idea says. “For us, too, the difficulty is half an hour away, started about is not only to host these young precisely this: we do not yet have 15 years ago with 35 baptized people but to involve them in a language of religion and faith. Catholics; and another one in activities so that they can act as a Transmitting Gospel values is Ompau Prey, an hour or so away bridge with the kids in the neigh- complicated for this reason, it is by car. “I live in Ta Khmau and borhood. We stay open from six in why it is necessary, first of all, to deal mainly with this community the morning to seven at night. It is translate them into gestures. For and that of Koh Noy, while Fr. the only accessible space, parents example, in the villages, aware- François Xavier, a priest of the trust us to send us their kids, and ness-raising, and training activ- Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP) some even ask a few questions. It ities are promoted, especially and parish priest of the pastoral could be the beginning of mean- with children and parents, on the area, lives in Phnom Penh and ingful dialogue, encounter, and topics of hygiene and disease pre- Cambodia 5 waiting to hear his voice

tradition that says that if you do good, you receive good. If you do evil, you receive evil. It is not easy for them to confront a different faith that says you are loved and that there is a love that reaches out to you and asks you to be a good, caring neighbor. I grew up with this value, I make brotherhood a strong point both in my relations and in my spiritual life, but here it is not always understood.” So we have to be content with simple things and every day establishing new relationships: the children who go to kindergarten, the young people in the hostel who dream of a future, the poor or sick who seek care, and the strangers who let themselves be intrigued. “There is a lively web of relationships and bonds of friendship from which existential questions often arise,” Fr. Giovanni confirms. “I hope in my heart that sooner or later, someone will ask me why I am doing all of this. Because when this question arrives, then I can share and, in some way, also announce.” From here, paths, projects, and encounters can be born made up of faces and stories, of hardships and hopes, surprises and amazement. “A place like this is exciting in some ways because everything is new,” the missionary continues. “Ta Khmau is in a phase where everything is really Though the faith is not explic- new, so many things resonate for the first time. itly taught, it is an opportunity It is beautiful and difficult. Above all, it is a great for respectful dialogue. responsibility. You have to explain to people, who do not know anything about Christianity, who Jesus is; and sometimes I wonder if I understand it myself! I feel that I am at the stage of preparing the ground, vention. Before the Coronavirus struck, a medical not yet of sowing. We are plowing it, watering it, activity was also started, which had a very positive then will come those who will sow, and after that, response, but which is still on hold for the moment.” we will see.” “There are villages,” Fr. Giovanni expounds, Obviously, there is no shortage of moments of “where living conditions are very precarious. fatigue or discouragement. “This happens espe- Twice a month we offer an hour of training. For a cially when what is proposed gets no response, and while, we did it on the street. Then, a grandmother, does not take root, or is not understood. Maybe amazed that we would educate their children and sometimes we force the issue a bit. I realize that one grandchildren, offered us to use her backyard. should respect people’s timeframes for assimila- She does not even know who I am, but she made tion and understanding. When I was 40, I had the her house available, and after the meeting, she enthusiasm of someone who had just arrived and prepares something for the children to eat. I was wanted to share it. In the beginning, I struggled, very impressed, also because it does not happen but now I have learned, above all, to wait. But I frequently.” have realized that this waiting makes one capable The most common experience, if anything, is of true love. I am convinced that waiting is one of the everyone for themselves experience. “I think the most beautiful conjugations of the verb to love. I have not fully entered into that reality yet. On a Now, I feel that this is really true. Even when there cultural level, I am struggling to get used to the lack are moments of frustration or loneliness and the of a sense of the common good; this is also reflected failures follow in succession, I repeat this phrase to in the ecclesial paths and realities of faith. Those myself: ‘Wait and love.’” who come to Baptism come from another religious 6 May // June 2021 Bishop Zilli was the first mis- sionary bishop from Brazil, his passion for the people of Guinea Bissau was renowned. Mission

his sweetness, tenderness, keen aptitude for dialogue, and, above all, his humanness. His smile, his the Bishop discretion, and his willingness to listen were an open door for all of us when we wanted to talk to him, or we wanted to get advice from with a smile him. His humility and desire not to be a nuisance always placed By Anna Pozzi ishop Pedro Zilli him at the level of the interlocu- was, for all of us, a tor, and they never felt judged or Those who knew him remember confrere who loved offended by him. A missionary, a him for his kindness and our “BPIME Institute; a missionary bishop for and with the people, humanity. COVID has taken who spent all his strength for always attentive to each person, away Bishop Pedro Zilli, a the mission in Guinea-Bissau; to whom he always gave appro- Brazilian PIME Missionary and and a true shepherd as bishop priate and adequate time, without the first bishop of Bafatá, in of his diocese of Bafatá. All of haste or formality.” Guinea-Bissau. us who knew him appreciated With these words, the General Guinea Bissau 7 Dom Pedro as “a man with a good heart.” A pastor who, until the end, was concerned about his adopted country and his diocese. “In a message that he sent me from his hospital bed, he appealed to politi- cians, he asked them to stop fighting, to unite and find an agreement in this difficult situation caused both by COVID-19 and by many other problems that the country is experiencing,” Bishop Lampra Cá recalled. “And then he asked to continue the work of his diocese, which in these 20 years has begun to bear fruit.” The president of the Republic, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, also sent a delegation and offered his con- dolences, recalling Dom Pedro’s commitment to national reconciliation and interreligious dialogue. Dom Pedro always had a smile to This theme was particularly close to his heart. A share, as well as a kind word. representative of the Guinean Muslim community, Abubacar Djaló, reiterated how the bishop was a significant reference for many people and how he Superior of PIME, Fr. Ferruccio Brambillasca, was also close to the Muslim community through delivered the last farewell to Bishop Pedro Zilli. He the Interfaith Union. died of COVID-19 on March 31st, at the age of 66, From Brazil, the ’ Conference also in a hospital in Cumura, Guinea-Bissau. The funeral emphasized Dom Zilli’s remarkable ability to bring was celebrated on April 9th, in a small cathedral in back his profound sense of the mission, and the work Bafatá, of which he was the first bishop, in 2001. It of evangelization on African soil, to his country of was a historic event for the young Church of Guin- origin. “He too, like the first Christians, did not face ea-Bissau, a vital sign of growth for the Catholic easy times in his ministry. Yet, according to the style community of this tiny African country, to which that Francis has indicated to us, we testify that, PIME’s recent history is so closely linked. However, through his faith in Jesus Christ, this brother of ours it was also an important sign for Latin America: spread the fragrance of the Gospel, thus arousing “Dom Pedro” became the first missionary bishop that joy that only the Spirit can provide. In the light from Brazil. of the testimony of Dom Pedro Zilli, we reaffirm In Brazil, he was born on October 7th, 1954; in the certainty that ‘he who offers himself and gives Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, in the state of Paraná. He himself to God out of love, surely bears much fruit grew up in the parish of Ibiporã, where the PIME (cf. John 15:5).’” Missionaries were already present and where his An experience lived in first-person by Fr. Davide missionary vocation was born. Ordained a priest Sciocco, current Regional Superior of the PIME on the eve of the Epiphany in 1985, he left immedi- Missionaries in Guinea-Bissau, where he arrived ately for Guinea-Bissau. “I did not find a ‘sleeping in 1992, and where Dom Pedro welcomed him. Fr. Church,’ but a living Church that encouraged me,” Davide recalls that “he had an extraordinary ability Bishop Zilli recounted. to give time and attention to people as if he had The Most Rev. José Lampra Cá, Apostolic nothing else to do. His focus on relationships, and Administrator of Bissau, paid tribute to the figure his great humanity, remain with us today not only of Bishop Zilli during the homily he delivered at as a memory but also as a commitment to continue the late missionary’s funeral. A funeral which was to love the people of this country and to walk with attended by the bishop emeritus of the capital, them.” His Excellency José Câmnate, and the Senegalese With the death of Dom Pedro Zilli, 12 PIME bishops of Ziguinchor and Kolda, representing the Missionaries have been snatched away by the Episcopal Conference of the region (which includes pandemic; in addition to the elderly fathers who Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Cape died in Italy, three died in their missions in Brazil Verde), as well as representatives of the Nunciature, and Guinea-Bissau. the European Union and Brazil. The Most Rev. José Lampra Cá remembered

8 Mission World borders, ad gentes, to the nations. Certainly, we, too, need mission- Fr. Piero Facci (left) with aries here in Brazil, yet we must Fr. Antonio (Toninho) Carlo. give from our poverty,” he said before leaving. A pragmatic soul, Toninho continually referred back to Africa in his stories, peppered with local proverbs and sayings. He returned to Brazil in 2002, first in service as Vocation and Missionary Awareness Director, then, in 2004, he was elected Regional Superior. In 2007, at the PIME General Assembly, he was chosen as Counselor of the General Directorate in Rome. He then returned home again in 2013, Mission first as Rector of the philosophy seminary in Brusque, and then as Pastor of the historic parish of St. founded in the mid-20th century by PIME in the southern part of São Paulo, in the Vila Missionária neighbor- Lives Donated hood. He spent the last two years as Regional Treasurer and Rector of the house in the capital city of São Paulo. “He was always available in Brazil to his confreres. He knew how to do everything in his power,” By Andrea Guerra infected, and in just one week, recalls Fr. Piero Facci, outgoing COVID-19 took Fr. Antonio Carlo Regional Superior of PIME in In São Paulo, the pandemic Nunes, known as Toninho, and Brazil. “And then he knew how claimed the lives of two mission- Fr. Raju Vandanam Koppula away to run to the bedside of the sick, aries, Fr. Nunes and Fr. Koppula. from this earth forever. of people hospitalized who were Their confreres remember them. Fr. Toninho died on Sunday, seeking spiritual comfort from February 14th, in an intensive him. He truly knew how to serve razil is a country care unit at Santa Cruz Hospital, the Institute. His availability to ravaged by the where he had been admitted for his confreres was truly great and pandemic; the nearly two weeks. A Brazilian, genuine,” added Fr. Ferruccio thresholdB of ten million infec- originally from Assis, Toninho Brambillasca, PIME General tions and 250,000 deaths has was 66 and had returned home Superior, who was on an official now been abundantly crossed, to continue serving the missions visit to the Brazilian Region with assuming that the official and the Institute after years Fr. Raffaele Manenti, a Counselor numbers are accurate. In this spent as a missionary in Africa. of the General Directorate. challenging context, also from a He joined PIME in 1977, was The church in Vila Missionária social point of view, the Corona- ordained a priest in 1982, and left was filled with faithful for the virus has deeply wounded many, for the Ivory Coast the following “seventh day” Mass, celebrated even the community of PIME year. “Finally, the time has come a week after his death, as is the Missionaries in São Paulo. Almost for Latin America to intensify its custom in Brazil, by the Bishop all of the missionaries were service in Churches beyond its of the diocese of Santo Amaro, Brazil 9 The late Fr. Raju Vandanam Koppula baptizes in his mission in São Paulo.

Giuseppe Negri, also a PIME Missionary. “He was mission chapel dedicated to San José of Anchieta: honest. Sometimes rough, but transparent and school support for children, food for families in genuine. He loved us, and we will not forget him,” the need, medical visits, interventions by psychologists, words of some young people of the parish, who on and specialists to manage the most complex cases. social networks had launched a “race of memories,” Because the favela brands one’s life, sometimes publishing some beautiful personal images of when forever, it is a place of violence and poverty, which Fr. Toninho was parish priest. carries the “stench” of a forgotten humanity. Fr. Vila Missionária is on São Paulo’s outskirts and Raju - like Fr. Daniele Belussi, the parish’s prior is a favela, a Brazilian slum, as is the Jardim Itajai priest - had brought the fragrance of the Gospel, of neighborhood, where Fr. Raju was parish priest hope, and God’s love. of Our Lady of the Angels parish. Originally from With his confreres and missionaries, Fr. Raju India, he was 48 and always with a smile on his honestly shared his vocation to the mission. face. A native of Eluru, a city in the Indian state “Whenever he sensed a need or a want, there was no of Andhra Pradesh where PIME has left its mark need to say anything,” says Fr. Belussi. “He always of hope, Fr. Raju chose to become a priest after surprised them. He went about his work quietly, and meeting Fr. Domenico Vivenzi. He was ordained in he would always find a way to help the needy. He 2005, and by 2006, he was already in Brazil, where was born to serve the needs of others. Even without he had spent some time as a deacon. Destined for saying openly, he loved in concrete ways, and now the extreme periphery of São Paulo, he immediately he will continue to do so from Heaven. Thank you, connected with the local people. “There is a great Lord, for giving him to us.” work of evangelization still to be done regarding a “Death does not take away life. It transforms it,” very popular and generally superficial religiosity,” said Fr. Gianfranco Vianello, who shared a mission he wrote in 2009, describing his mission in a letter. with Fr. Raju in the parish of Jardim Itajai, during In 2016, he was called back to India to serve as Rector the funeral. of the Queen of Apostles College, PIME’s prepara- May these words allow us to understand tory seminary in Eluru. He had recently returned the meaning of these losses and help the PIME to São Paulo at the beginning of 2019, rediscover- community of São Paulo to be transformed by the ing the parish he had left behind; and which, in the example of Fr. Toninho and Fr. Kaju. To be born meantime, had grown since some slums had formed anew in the light of their witness and to continue the in the neighborhood. During the pandemic, he had mission for which they gave their lives. The passion also brought his testimony and his message of love, for the Gospel, the proclamation to all that there is using donations from the PIME Coronavirus World a Love greater, and, more beautiful than anything, Fund, to create a project developed around the even death itself. 10 May // June 2021 clean water in PApua new guinea The Dakit community is an outstation of Bosmun Parish and one of the most underdeveloped areas of the Madang Province. The community’s isolation means that access to the outside world is difficult and time-consuming; as such, they depend on their farms to live. Fr. Surresh Kumar Gorremuchhu, PIME, is asking for support to construct rainwater tanks so that the people here will have potable water. Will PROJECT #10109 $4,357 NEEDED you help this remote community to have a stable source of drinking water? MDP MEDICAL FUND Our generous monthly, quarterly, and annual MDP Medical Fund supporters subsidize projects that directly relieve the suffering of others. Supporters provide healthcare needs like therapy for disabled children in Algeria, addiction programs for youth in Myanmar, and support of a leprosy colony in India. Will you join this group of one-time and continuous donors who help to relieve the suffering of those who need it most? Contact projects@ PROJECT #10002 SUPPORT NEEDED pimeusa.org or 313-342-4066 (ext. 102) to get started today. CHAPEL IN TAKHMAW PARISH, CAMBODIA The community of Takhmaw, in the Diocese of Phnom Penh, needs a dedicated space for worship. Currently, the ’ residence hosts kindergarten during the week, Saturday catechism, and Holy Mass on Sundays. Fr. Giovanni Tulino, PIME, has created this project to transform their multipurpose room into a real chapel, the community’s first church. Will you help to provide these faithful people a PROJECT #10108 $9,825 NEEDED gathering space for the word of God to be proclaimed for generations to come? Please visit www.pimeusa.reachapp.co/projects to donate online or send your support by mail to the PIME Missionaries 17330 Quincy St Detroit, MI 48221-21749

*Upon receipt of your contribution, if your project is already funded, we will direct your donation to another needy project. Projects 11 Cover Story Demonstrators gather to protest against military coup in Yangon.

myanmar: Stolen Dreams

many troubling issues that still vex this wonderful country of Southeast Asia had resurfaced, starting By Chiara Zappa with the tensions between the many ethnicities that have always inhabited it, the democratic path had After a brief democratic season, February’s coup not been interrupted. plunged the Asian country back into violence. “But we During the elections of last November, the cannot let down also this generation,” says Cardinal National League for Democracy (NLD) of Daw Suu, Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon. “The Lady,” as the people of the formerly named Burma have always called the beloved democrat- hey thought they had truly turned over ic leader, won by a landslide. The NLD win would a new leaf in Myanmar. After decades of maintain an absolute majority in both Parliament harsh military dictatorship, purges of branches, a blatant success that worried the military. dissenters,T terror, and violence, recent democratic This force has always been potent in Myanmar, openings had brought an almost unexpected breath even if it has moved into the shadows lately. The of hope. size of this success triggered accusations of fraud Aung San Suu Kyi, an icon of the opposition, and the requests for a recount of the votes by the going from house arrest to Parliament to govern- leaders of the armed forces. All this at a time when ment seemed like a dream. Even if, in recent years, the political solidity of the civilian government was 12 Mission World myanmar: stolen dreams suffering from the distance taken tive dialogue for the good of the have faced countless challenges by the international community country. in the past year. The pandemic following accusations of having Your Eminence, what is pushed people to the edge of endorsed the army’s violence the social situation right now? survival, and there was great against the Rohingya ethnic “Conditions were disastrous expectation for a new govern- minority. Then, on February even before the coup d’état. The ment that could address urgent 1st, the news that no one would COVID-19 pandemic plunged needs. That is why, now, people have wanted to hear again, the almost 60% of the population are exasperated and support Tatmadaw (the Myanmar army) into food insecurity; business- protests.” announced the arrest of Aung San es closed down, and millions of How are the Catholic Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, people lost their jobs. Hunger was faithful, clergy, Church and other leaders of the NLD. on the rise, and this new tragedy reacting? “The response is not Then, the transfer of power to the has hit us when the people are the uniform; this is a very sensitive commander in chief of the armed most vulnerable. On the health issue. There is a new generation forces, Min Aung Hlaing. A new front, too, the situation is pre- of faithful who have grown up coup d’état, a state of emergency carious. If the virus was already with social media and knowledge imposed for a year, and shutting threatening the fragile health of the outside world. down communication networks. system, now many doctors are They have a greater awareness Again, the people took to the leaving hospitals in protest, just of their rights and therefore streets, willing to endure the as the vaccination campaign has oppose anything they feel is an brutality of repression in order begun. So far, the response to the injustice. These young people not to make another frightening pandemic had been good and, were born after the pre-coup leap into the past. despite the problems, infection and have come of age in the “The situation is critical. and mortality rates were not very internet age. Their values and We must stop the slaughter; we high. Now we do not know what education no longer come only have seen too much blood in our will happen.” from the family and the Church. history.” Cardinal Charles Maung From Myanmar, we are They are at the forefront of the Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, receiving images of oceanic resistance movement, and this does not hide his concern or the crowds demonstrating in all has a substantial impact on moment’s urgency. “We need to cities against the coup d’état. the community; this participa- negotiate; butting heads can only Does the population fully tion moves many priests and lead to tragedy.” The Burmese support the protest? “The civil religious.” Cardinal had declared this from disobedience movement was Has the Church been the beginning. On February spontaneous, initially started by actively involved? “We have 3rd, he released a message in a doctor. Young people joined in proposed fasts and vigils for which, condemning the coup, he and poured into the streets by the peace. Slowly, many of these urged the parties to construc- thousands, peacefully. The people young people are also returning Agenzia Fides a man of dialogue Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar’s first Cardinal, has been Arch- bishop of Yangon since 2003. Born in 1948 in a village in the Arch- diocese of Mandalay, he was ordained a Salesian priest in 1976. In 1990, he became bishop of Lashio. In 1996, he moved to the diocese of Pathein and, in 2002, the Archdiocese of Mandalay. An advocate of dialogue, he headed the Myanmar Bishops’ Con- ference from 2000 to 2006. The Pope made him a Cardinal in 2015. Since 2019, he has presided over the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

Cover Story 13 Protesters in Washington D.C. carry a banner and signs for ethnic groups in Myanmar during a demonstration against the coup.

to rely on prayer in parishes the army, which remains a fun- army in international courts, and or the streets. We must keep in damental interlocutor because it some human rights groups are mind that the is potent and controls the police. deeply disappointed in her. But is ethnically diverse since it ASEAN (Association of Southeast the world’s reaction to the coup comprises eight main ethnic Asian Nations) is trying to tells us that it is not a zero-sum groups and other communities, involve itself in the dialogue, but game. Most governments have such as Chinese and Indians. there are no substantial results. called for the return of democracy Most of our dioceses consist of The military has declared its and the restoration of Aung San minorities, and, sometimes, this intention to hold new elections Suu Kyi’s leadership.” leads to different visions. Yet, within a year, but it remains What would you ask of the there is a very similar response to be seen if this will happen. international community? “To at the level of the younger gen- The darkest scenario would be a see Myanmar beyond political eration of faithful. As a Bishops’ repeat of what happened in ‘88 parties and the military; this is Conference, we have appealed to when the military junta consoli- a nation of hardworking people everyone to establish a dialogue dated and remained in power for who have been challenged for 70 between the parties.” another two decades. Let us pray years. We were once the richest Do you a see a way out from that it doesn’t happen this time.” country in the area, but now we this situation? “There is no Do you think the dele- are among the poorest in the alternative to dialogue. We fear gitimization of Aung San world. I have appealed to the bloodshed on a large scale. The Suu Kyi by the international international community not drama of parents burying their community was a mistake? to cripple our economy through children must end. So, let us not “Young people are firmly with harsh sanctions. The people need cease our efforts to bring the Aung San Suu Kyi; people love work. They need food. Foreign parties to the negotiating table. her. In last November’s elections, countries must shift from con- The international community she got 83% of the vote, and when demnation to involvement. Nego- and the United Nations have voting is allowed anew, she will tiations are the only way out, not spoken out strongly against the win again. Within the country, an even harder confrontation.” coup, and the UN Special Session her authority has increased. Do you have confidence in on Myanmar called for a return to Certainly, her luster as an icon of the new generation in Myanmar? democracy. Unfortunately, so far, democracy has been tarnished by “As a Salesian and a firm believer there has been no response from her controversial defense of the in St. John Bosco’s affection for 14 May // June 2021 young people, I have great confidence. My heart weeps for them. Four or five generations have a troubled past seen their dreams destroyed in this country, and, nowadays, the young are fighting, once again, to 1948: Independence is gained from England. keep their dreams from turning into a nightmare. We cannot disappoint them again. Myanmar is 1958-1960: Military government is formed. blessed with so many natural resources, but human 1962: Military coup and the beginning of the wealth is the best resource. Nearly 40% of the pop- regime. “Burmese way to socialism” is officially ulation is young. If only our leaders would value the proclaimed. demographic dividend; this nation could surpass 1962: Violent repression of protest at Rangoon any rich neighbor within a decade. Our kids need a University; the army kills 100 students. good education, decent jobs, and the promise of a bright future; they demand it. I am sure the spirit 1965: Nationalization of private schools and of St. John Bosco is with them in the struggle, but I Christian hospitals. fear for their safety. What will happen if they still 1966: Missionaries (including several from PIME) face disappointment and failure? As a Church and who had arrived after independence expelled. a nation, we must protect them.” 1976: Ethnic rebel leaders of twelve groups form You are also president of the Federation of the National Democratic Front (NDF). Asian Bishops’ Conferences. What are the main challenges in the area? “The first one concerns 1988: On August 8th, there is a revolt organized; the virus of shadow democracies and authoritari- millions of demonstrators take to the streets anism, which has infected many Asian countries. for democracy and human rights. Hundreds Out of ten Asian countries, only two can be defined are killed by the army in Rangoon. The National as true democracies. Although economic develop- League for Democracy (NLD) is born and Aung ment has increased, it has come at an enormous San Suu Kyi, daughter of “Father of the Father- cost in terms of human rights and freedoms. Even land” Aung San, becomes Secretary General. India, once a beacon of democracy, has slipped into 1989: Military junta changes the name of the illiberal manipulation. Just in these weeks, we have country to Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD the sad case of an elderly 83-year-old priest, Jesuit president U Tin Oo are placed under house arrest Father Stan Swamy, imprisoned for his work with and prevented from running for election. the poor.” 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi awarded the Nobel Peace What are the Conference’s other priorities? Prize. “Throughout the area, the race for development has mutilated two great rights constantly stressed 2008: The Nargis cyclone causes catastrophic by : economic and environmental destruction with over 100,000 victims. The junta rights. Then, there is the great theme of migration; approves a new constitution that provides for rich countries in Asia have benefited from exploit- free elections, but leaves considerable power in ing cheap labor from poorer countries. There is no the hands of the army. regional agreement on labor protection, and today 2010: Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house millions of people find themselves away from their arrest. countries, often in brutal conditions of modern 2012: Elections won by the NLD. Aung San Suu slavery. Finally, I would like to mention the indige- Kyi enters Parliament. nous peoples, to whom we have turned our attention thanks to the Amazonian Synod and the encyclical 2015: NLD triumphs in the first free parliamen- Laudato si’, which have called for greater respect tary elections on November 8th. for their way of life and protection of the natural 2016-2017: Massacres against the Muslim environment. There is a vast area in Asia, stretching Rohingya minority. from the South China Seas to India’s central parts, Elections are won by the NLD. The army where indigenous peoples once lived in harmony 2020: denounces fraud. with nature. Today, these people are reduced in numbers, and the current way of life increasingly 2021: In February, the military coup occurs. threatens their survival. We cannot look the other Aung San Suu Kyi and other prominent leaders way.” are arrested. Cover Story 15 The Olhar Jovem group poses for a photo.

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years, on the outskirts of the megalopolis of São Paulo, where she has launched a project that is a synthesis of her “original vocation,” to be a mission- Mission ary involved in communication to which a passion for education has been added. So, in the neighbor- Rhymes with hood of Vila Missionária, a former favela where she lives with her community of four sisters - two Communication Brazilians and one Indian - she has created the Olhar Jovem (Young Outlook) project, aimed at 11 By Anna Pozzi to 16-year-old boys and girls. “The basic idea,” Sr. Emanuela explains, “is to offer them an alternative If one adds education to the list of rhyming and commu- to the street. Because here, the street means crime, nication, one gets the perfect synthesis of Sr. Emanuela violence, drug dealing, drugs, and degradation. Nardin’s experience. A Missionary Sister of the Immac- Today, Vila Missionária is no longer a real favela. ulate who, in São Paulo, Brazil, is experimenting with By now, there is lighting, running water, and elec- adolescents through an education-communication tricity. Still, the living conditions of the people here path. remains very precarious, especially for the lack of work and widespread delinquency, even in the How do we reconcile mission, education, and schools.” communication? As well as how to work in these Sr. Emanuela has experienced a disturbing phe- areas, especially with adolescents? Taking on nomenon; for three years, she taught web program- this stimulating and difficult challenge is Sister ming and computer science at a university during a Emanuela Nardin, 47 years old, a Missionary of the period of discernment. During this time, she faced a Immaculate Conception, originally from Varedo, reality full of problems, as there is a lot of violence in near . She has been living in Brazil for ten schools, and it often happens the professors them- 16 Mission World mission rhymes with communication selves are beaten. Her work as a ing with PIME Brazil’s magazine since 1956, and where there is teacher has helped her to under- Mundo e Missão, she was also also a community of PIME Mis- stand the significant limits of very involved in educational sionaries who run the parish of the Brazilian educational system issues. St. Francis Xavier - it became from the inside, which needs For this reason, edu-commu- almost natural to experiment much improvement, according to nication has been, in a certain with the many potentialities that her. Young people were coming to sense, the natural outlet of her this method presents in the field, the faculty who did not know the skills. “Edu-communication,” involving adolescents who are basics of mathematics or Portu- the missionary sister explains, the most at-risk in particular. guese but really had a great desire “goes beyond teaching new com- “We started with a radio to learn and improve their lives. munication technologies and project to try to make these kids Many of them drive two hours offers a new way of educating communicate and work together,” each way to attend classes and and learning to read the world Sr. Emanuela continues, “pulling work to pay for them, sleeping as leading citizens. Edu-com- them away from the practices of very little each night. I was very munication presents itself as violence present in the neigh- impressed by their commitment an alternative to the traditional borhood and offering them an to study and to get out of their educational system, which finds alternative. Then, in 2019, we difficult situations. itself in difficulty in this new rethought the activities of our The experience Irmā Rita Cavenaghi made her think a lot. “the students become Training Center, which It stimulated her to was established in 1996, deepen her under- to serve the families of standing of a type the protagonists of the neighborhood and of participatory and develop active involve- dialogic communica- their own education, ment in finding solutions tion inspired by the for responsible citizen- pedagogy of Paulo and the teachers, or ship, especially of women Freire: edu-commu- and minors. In this way, nication. It was born educators, are the we started another project in Latin America in collaboration with the and is proposed as NGO Vocação, proposing an alternative to tra- mediators who show a program for adoles- ditional teaching, cents entitled ‘Crecer: a which struggles to them the way.” synthesis of believing and provide skills solely being,’ with supplemen- within the school system at a scenario. Knowledge is dispersed tary activities concerning school time when there is ample access and separated from the tradi- programs. About 120 young to various media,” Sr. Emanuela tional places where it is normally people participated.” explains. She also took a course circumscribed, such as school “The project was carried out in edu-communication at the São or the family. It is an alternative by a team of educators, including Paulo State University, which the that also offers the possibility of a student working towards a municipality has asked to partic- learning together and sharing doctorate in edu-communica- ipate in reducing violence in ele- knowledge in a circular form. In tion, a psychologist, a pedagogue, mentary schools. Before coming this way, the students become and two photographers. In to Brazil, she had studied social the protagonists of their own the beginning, we proposed a communications at the Salesian education, and the teachers, or course on comics, providing the University in Rome and had educators, are the mediators who technical basics and making the worked for the magazine of the show them the way.” children work on their emotions Missionaries of the Immaculate In a complicated context like to help them reread their history Conception, also working on the that of Vila Missionária - where and future dreams. Then we congregation’s website. In Brazil, the Missionary Sisters of the worked on photography, in this then, in addition to collaborat- Immaculate have been present case teaching the techniques and Brazil 17 The edu-communication approach is designed to help students to become leaders through education and media. helping them stick together. In this regard, it was rus pandemic, which has seriously plagued Brazil, important to work on relationships and the sense all in-person activities were suspended and trans- of responsibility that group work requires, with ferred online, where they continue to this day. “Now different assignments for each one. Besides, we we do a course once a week, on Saturdays, there are tried to creatively address the theme of emotions about 20 young people who attend; it is much more with a camera or a cell phone, educating the eye to focused. The ones who participated already had an capture the details of the reality surrounding us interest and a creative bent, whether it was photog- and that we often do not see or trivialize. The theme raphy or drawing. The goal was to help them live chosen was that of love, and the students went out and rework their quarantine experience through into the city to photograph situations that would colors to bring out the emotions and moods they represent it. Then an exhibition open to the public were feeling. It was an exciting experience even was organized, to which parents were also invited.” though we missed considerably the opportunity “It was gratifying to see the result,” says Sr. to meet in person. Now I’m thinking of proposing Emanuela, “not only for the final product of the another online course in the next few months to be course but especially for the ability that these young able to offer a shared experience in this moment of people have acquired to go beyond the technical great fatigue and uncertainty.” settings to take a good photograph. Jennifer, for In the meantime, Sr. Emanuela continues to example, learned to understand the responsibility reflect and plan. “I have often wondered why we do of teamwork. José Carlos committed himself not not make use of all the positive aspects of media in to give up, even when the challenge seemed too the field of evangelization as well. At the same time, difficult. Viviane had to train herself in patience to teaching ourselves to take a critical look at those wait for the right moment to take a picture. Samara contents to which we are exposed and go against was amazed to see how obvious facts and situations the values of the Gospel and make us insensitive could become an image full of meaning.” to the plights of others.” This is a theme on which The course also represented a training ground the Directory of Communication of the Brazilian for many teenagers to live relationships peacefully Church has also intervened. They have indicated and constructively. From Sister Emanuela’s point edu-communication as a “perspective of dialogi- of view, it was an opportunity for evangelization. cal and communitarian implementation in various “Helping adolescents and young people to know areas including , liturgy, and pastoral how to read the reality in which they live through care.” She also refers to the experience of mission- media; and to know how to communicate respect, ary work, through which “the communication of the citizenship, love, and communion through media is Good News becomes life, not repetition, witnessing for me also a way of evangelizing.” and mere information.” Unfortunately, with the spread of the Coronavi- 18 May // June 2021 the church National Shrine of The Little Flower Basilica royal oak, MI

DID YOU KNOW? The number eight in Christian symbolism is very important. It is the number of fullness, fulfillment, and resurrection! That is why many architectural elements in the basilica are octagonal: the nave, baptismal font, and access to the side altars. The number seven is the number of creation, because God created everything in seven days. The “eighth day” is the number of re-creation because all of creation is re-created in Jesus! HISTORY 1918-1937: The 1925: The 1927: On Archbishop of Detroit, parish of December 14th, J. Gallagher, is Therese Pope Pius XI 1931/1936: determined to establish of Lisieux is proclaims Saint Designed in the the first U.S. parish in founded a year Therese of Art Deco style, the honor of Saint Therese of before the 1926: The Lisieux, and Saint current church was Lisieux, after witnessing construction original Francis Xavier, built in two stages, her in Rome, of the Shrine is church is patrons of the between 1931 and on May 17th, 1925. started. built. Missions. 1936.

2014: Pope Francis 1998: The United States 1997: On August 24th, during the granted the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Angelus prayer, in the presence of Shrine of the Little declared the site a National Bishops and an immense crowd Flower the honorary Shrine, one of only five in the of young people from all over title of “Minor country at the time. the world gathered for the XII Basilica.” World Youth Day in Paris, John Paul II announces his intention to proclaim Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Doctor of the Universal Church, on October 19th, 1997, World Mission Sunday.

Art & Culture 19 is the altar of Christ if not the image of the Body the fifth theme: of Christ?” says Saint , [SaintAmbrose, De sacramentis, 5, 7: PL 16, 447C]. It represents Christ, the altar the “cornerstone” on which, through the Eucharist, the true temple of the Lord that we are, is built (cf. By Fr. Daniele Criscione, PIME Eph 2: 19-22). Hence, the symbolic richness of the The word altar comes from the Latin: altare. The altar: the table around which the Lord gathers and term altar is composed of the participle of the nourishes his disciples; memorial of his broken Latin verb alere, or to feed, and the noun ara, which body and shed blood; and image of Christ, the only is derived from the verb arere, or to burn. For foundation on which the Church is built. In the first this reason, the altar was initially made of stone, millennium, when the tabernacle was not yet there, a material resistant to fire and therefore more Christians entering the church venerated the altar suitable to represent the very meaning of the altar. with a bow and even with a kiss. This is the reason In Christianity, the idea of ​​fire coming down from why even today the altar is incensed, kissed, and heaven recalls the Holy Spirit who descends from those who pass in front of it make a bow. heaven and who burns the bread and wine to com- municate that the presence of Christ is alive. “What Let’s take a look at some details---

The Altar: The altar, a single block of white Carrara marble, is located in the center of the basilica, a sign of the centrality of Christ in the life of the Church. On the front side there is a carved vine with a cruciform trunk, and two peacocks drinking from the chalice. The background is chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. Jesus says: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower” (John 15:1). In the Christian tradition, the peacock symbol- izes the solar wheel; it signifies immortality and resurrection. Its tail evokes the starry sky, and its eyes were considered a sign of the omniscience of God. In the Middle East, represented on both sides of the tree of life, the drinking peacocks allude to spiritual rebirth; they are symbols of the incorruptible soul and the psychic duality of man, its flesh a healthy food for the sick. Pliny testifies to this symbolism of the peacock in his Historie Naturalis (H.N. 22), Christianity then attributed it to Christ. At the four corners of the altar, vine branches with bunches of grapes are carved. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” It is a sign of communion, “Whoever remains in me, and I in him will bear much fruit because, without me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). On the opposite side instead, Christ is carved as, “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Inscribed in a circle, a sign of eternity, which bears the Latin inscription, “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,” or “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The lamb is dead and alive at the same time; He was sacrificed and stands upright. “Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders a Lamb that seemed to have been slain” (Rev 6:6). Under the lamb, a chalice collects his blood from which living water flows. “For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17).

20 Mission World The Baldacchino: The main altar lies beneath an enormous canopy: the Baldacchino. Made of oak and colorful stained glass, it represents a wonderful example of the Art Deco style. It is trimmed in gold leaf, with roses carved into the wood, as a reminder of St. Therese of Lisieux, the patron saint of the church. The red and yellow stained glass windows recall the flames of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Balda- cchino, as an architectural element above the altar, recalls the action of Divine Grace, which during the consecration transforms the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Suspended between the Baldacchino and the altar is a crucifix. The body of Christ is white, the same color as the altar. It seems to communicate the continuity between the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the Eucharistic sacrifice on the altar. The Charity Crucifixion Tower: The Charity Crucifixion Tower, designed by sculptor Rene Paul Chambellan, was completed in 1931. At the upper corners of the tower are the symbols of the : the eagle, the angel, the lion, and the ox. On the front, a wonderful example of what is called Zig Zag Art Deco style, a large figure of Christ on the cross. Above the crucifix, the Holy Spirit depicted in the form of a dove, emitting rays, and among the rays some stars, signs of Jesus’ death. “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon” (Lk 23:44). Under the dove, the cartouche with the inscription in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that reads, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19-20). Carved below the feet of the figure of Christ are the so-called “Seven Last Words” - Lk 23:34; Lk 23:43; Jn 19:26; Jn 19:27; Mk 15:34; Lk 23:46; and Jn 19:30. Just below them is a doorway with “Charity” and “Christ Crucified” carved above it. The doorway leads to a small balcony that can serve as a pulpit. On the front are carved depictions of the Jophiel, , Michael, , and Uriel. The pulpit is flanked by depictions of and the Mary the Mother of God to the left and Longinus, the centurion holding a spear, and on the right. Across the terrace contemplat- ing the crucifix, a depiction of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is carved into the surrounding wall.

Art & Culture 21 Many PIME Missions provide vocation education to better aid the poor in sustaining themselves.

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in this time, put on hold by the pandemic, in which it has become more difficult for everyone to missionary leave for the missions, the PIME Lay Association is working to give substance to this idea. Looking into the future with hope Technicians - alongside its primary form, which has seen many lay people By Giorgio Bernardelli here are many lay say yes to a more prolonged com- people who would like mitment in the missions - PIME is The PIME Lay Association has to lend a hand and launching a different proposal: it launched the Short Technical say:T “I would like to spend a few is called Short Technical Service, Service, a new form of missionary months in a mission.” There are and it is conceived as a presence presence: a few months of one’s many PIME Missions that would in the missions, limited to a few professionalism to share with the be very happy to receive this kind months, of professional vol- world. of help. Why, then, not try to unteers with a strong technical bring them together? Precisely component. 22 May // June 2021 The PIME Lay Association needs educated professionals to teach vocational courses in the missions.

For example, a computer scientist, a midwife, and on the other hand, to give a concrete possibil- an English teacher, or a administrative profession- ity to some lay people to support the missionary al may have accumulated vacation time in their work through their professionalism and witness of jobs. If they wish, they could offer valuable help by faith, even when, for many reasons, they can only making themselves available for a specific assign- provide relatively short periods of time for this type ment, limited in time, and, above all, agreed with a of service.” specific mission based on their needs. All this has an In concrete terms, what are the requirements? important aspect: it is not a question of a mere pro- First of all, it is knowing that this is a voluntary fessional service, but of a presence at the service of service - without any form of remuneration - and the proclamation of the Gospel. For this reason, in an adequate technical competence in their field. addition to competence and technical skills, those In addition to this, volunteers must be willing to who apply for this type of volunteering are asked to testify to their faith through their lifestyle or, if be willing to deepen and witness the gift of Christian they are still searching, they must wish to mature faith through their lay missionary service. in their faith through an experience of genuine Simonetta Redaelli of the board of Directors service. For this reason, before leaving, they must of the PIME Laity Association explains. “The Short agree to undergo the preparation and service in the Technical service wants to be an additional reply to required manner and sign a voluntary collaboration the needs of the Church and PIME, enhancing the agreement with PIME, thus committing themselves lay dimension of the missionary charism in mean- to keep it. At that point, an initial interview will be ingful projects and presences, as is the spirit of ALP. set up to get acquainted; it is followed by participa- In other words, we want, on the one hand, to help tion in some formative training sessions. At the end the mission with a qualified technical contribution, of this process, PIME will evaluate the suitability of Global 23 missionary technicians

Modern times require modern skillsets, with training shifting focus to careers like welding and computer programming.

a candidate and, once a match is found between the necessary for the execution of the work requested. In volunteer’s profile and the needs of a mission, the Bangladesh, in particular, there is a need for techni- specific preparation for departure begins. cians willing to help out with training courses at the The duration of this type of service should Novara Technical School, the professional training normally be between one and six months, but it is school founded by PIME more than fifty years ago also possible to extend this time frame based on the in Dinajpur and still a very important vocational skills of the volunteers and the specific needs of training site for young people in the north of the individual projects. country. “In this case, the needs are for very specific Even the assignment to a specific country is profiles,” explains Simonetta Redaelli. “They are also made by mutual agreement, bearing in mind, asking for experienced electricians to help with however, the needs of the mission match the the modernization of the workshop. A woodwork- volunteer. er skilled in building furniture, as well as door and As far as the financial aspect is concerned, a window frames, and who can help with the use of the volunteer of the Short Technical Service will pay for necessary tools. A welder who can teach how to weld round-trip travel expenses, visas, other documents small stainless steel tubes. A person prepared to necessary for the stay and vaccinations, expenses start production of aluminum doors and windows. related to training, personal expenses, excursions, One qualified to update the basic course in electron- telephone and internet access during the mission ics. A person qualified in PLC (Programmable Logic stint. The mission will pay for health insurance, Controller) to teach a basic course at the school. The board and lodging according to the parameters duration of these projects would be from one to of the country of destination, and all the means three months, possibly renewable.”

24 Mission World DEARLY DEPARTED MISSIONARIES Fr. Alessandro Brambilla, PIME March 26, 1943 – April 16, 2021 Fr. Alessandro Brambilla was born in Gorgonzola, Italy, on March 29th, 1943, the son of Giulio and Giuseppina Cavalleri. The youngest of four brothers, after three years of studying in Melzo, he worked for five years, and then entered the PIME Seminary in Monza in October of 1962. He made his Final Promise to the PIME Missionaries on January 12th, 1973, and on June 28th of the same year, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Giovanni Colombo, in Milan.

He received his mission assignment for the Philippines, specifically the Island of Mindanao, which he reached in the summer of 1974, after studying English in London. In 1977, he was transferred to Tondo (Manila) at the service of the great parish of San Pablo Apostol, with a population of more than 50,000 people. After eventually giving the parish to the Diocese of Manila, he accepted a proposal of service in Italy as Administrator at the Mission Center of Milan. He would return to the Philip- pines for 4 years, working on the island of Mindanao (Sirawai, Dipolog), at a time marked by guerrilla warfare, insurrection, and deforestation. He was then recalled to Italy to serve as General Treasurer of the Institute until 1997, when he returned to the Philippines. He spent the last few years working as a resident priest at Mary Queen of Apostles Parish in Parañaque City. Fr. Alessandro passed away suddenly on April 16th. He was 78.

Fr. Alessandro Pezzotti, PIME September 30, 1930 – April 22, 2021 Fr. Pezzotti was born in Martinengo, Italy, on September 30th, 1930, the only son of Luigi and Maria Forlani. He entered the PIME Seminary in Monza at the age of 12; orphaned by his father, before moving to Milan to study Theology. At the time, his mother wrote to the superiors, “Although he is my only son, I assure you that I will never give any obstacle or difficulty to him following his missionary vocation. I am fully pleased that my son is a missionary.”

In June 28th, 1956, he made his final promise, and on the very same day in 1957, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini ordained him a priest, in Milan. He was assigned to the mission of Amapá in Brazil, where he spent his entire missionary life, except for three years when he lived in Rome as Adminis- trative Procurator. Shortly before he turned 80, he returned to Italy. Fr. Pezzotti passed due to compli- cations from having COVID-19; he was 90.

PIME Spotlight Our lady of Confidence Join us May 20th-28th to pray to Our Lady of Novena Confidence together on the PIME Missionaries Facebook and Instagram and visit pimeusa.org/ May 20-28 events to submit your intentions to be prayed for during the Novena.

25 su servicio en iglesias más allá de sus fronteras, ad gentes, a las El P. Piero Facci (izquierda) con naciones. Ciertamente, nosotros P. Antonio (Toninho) Carlo. también necesitamos misioneros aquí en Brasil, pero debemos dar desde nuestra pobreza”, dijo antes de irse. Toninho, un alma prag- mática, se refería continuamente a África en sus historias, salpic- adas de proverbios y refranes locales. Regresó a Brasil en 2002, primero, en servicio como Director de Vocación y Concien- cia Misionera, luego fue elegido Superior Regional en 2004. En 2007, en la Asamblea General de PIME, fue elegido Consejero de Misión la Dirección General en Roma. Luego, regresó a casa nueva- mente en 2013, primero, como rector del seminario de filosofía en Brusque, y luego como párroco de la histórica parroquia de Vidas San Francisco Javier, fundada a mediados del siglo XX por PIME en la parte sur de São Paulo, en Donadas el Barrio de Vila Missionária. Pasó los últimos dos años como Tesorero Regional y Rector de la en Brasil casa en la ciudad capital de São Paulo. Por Andrea Guerra semana, el COVID-19 se llevó al “Siempre estuvo disponible P. Antonio Carlo Nunes, conocido para sus hermanos sacerdotes. En São Paulo, la pandemia como Toninho, y al P. Raju Sabía hacer todo lo que estaba a cobró la vida de dos misioneros, Vandanam Koppula, lejos de esta su alcance”, recuerda el P. Piero el P. Nunes y el P. Koppula. Sus tierra para siempre. Facci, Superior Regional saliente hermanos los recuerdan. El P. Toninho falleció el de PIME en Brasil. “Y luego supo domingo 14 de febrero, en una correr al lado de los enfermos, de Brasil es un país devastado unidad de cuidados intensivos las personas hospitalizadas que por la pandemia; el umbral de del Hospital de Santa Cruz, buscaban de él consuelo espiri- diez millones de infecciones y donde llevaba ingresado casi dos tual. Supo de verdad cómo servir al 250,000 muertes ahora se ha semanas. Brasileño, originario Instituto. Su disponibilidad para cruzado abundantemente, supo- de Assis, Toninho tenía 66 años y sus hermanos sacerdotes fue ver- niendo que las cifras oficiales había regresado a casa para seguir daderamente grande y genuina”, sean precisas. En este contexto sirviendo a las misiones y al agregó el P. Ferruccio Brambil- difícil, también desde el punto Instituto, después de años de ser lasca, Superior General de PIME, de vista social, el Coronavi- misionero en África. Se incorporó que se encontraba en visita oficial rus ha lastimado profunda- a PIME en 1977, fue ordenado a la Región Brasileña con el P. mente a muchos, incluyendo a sacerdote en 1982, y se fue a Costa Raffaele Manenti, Consejero de la comunidad de misioneros de de Marfil al año siguiente. “Final- la Dirección General. La iglesia de PIME en São Paulo. Casi todos mente, ha llegado el momento de Vila Missionária se llenó de fieles estaban infectados, y en una sola que América Latina intensifique para la misa del “séptimo día”, 26 May // June 2021 El difunto P. Raju Vandanam Koppula bautiza en su misión de São Paulo. celebrada una semana después de su muerte como es proyecto desarrollado en torno a la capilla misionera costumbre en Brasil, por el obispo de la diócesis de dedicada a San José de Anchieta: apoyo escolar para Santo Amaro, Giuseppe Negri, también misionero niños, alimentos para familias necesitadas, visitas de PIME. “Era honesto. A veces rudo, pero trans- médicas, intervenciones de psicólogos y especialis- parente y genuino. Nos amaba, y no lo olvidaremos”, tas para el manejo de los casos más complejos. La palabras de algunos jóvenes de la parroquia, que en favela marca la vida, a veces para siempre, es un las redes sociales habían lanzado una “carrera de lugar de violencia y pobreza, que lleva el “hedor” recuerdos”, publicando algunas hermosas imágenes de una humanidad olvidada. El P. Raju, como el P. personales de cuando el P. Toninho era párroco. Daniele Belussi, el párroco anterior, habían traído la Vila Missionária está en las afueras de São fragancia del Evangelio, de la esperanza y del amor Paulo, y es una favela, al igual que el barrio Jardim de Dios. Itajai, donde el P. Raju era párroco de la parroquia Con sus hermanos sacerdotes y misioneros, Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. Originario de la el P. Raju compartió honestamente su vocación India, tenía 48 años y siempre con una sonrisa en a la misión. “Siempre que sentía una necesidad el rostro. Oriundo de Eluru, una ciudad del estado o un deseo, no era preciso decir nada”, dice el P. indio de Andhra Pradesh donde PIME ha dejado Belussi. “Siempre los sorprendía. Hacía su trabajo su huella de esperanza, el P. Raju eligió convertirse en silencio, y siempre encontraba la manera de en sacerdote después de conocer al P. Domenico ayudar a los necesitados. Nació para atender las Vivenzi. Fue ordenado en 2005, y para el 2006 ya necesidades de los demás. Incluso sin decirlo abi- estaba en Brasil, donde había pasado algún tiempo ertamente, amaba de manera concreta, y ahora lo como diácono. Destinado a la periferia extrema de continuará haciendo desde el Cielo. Gracias, Señor, São Paulo, se conectó de inmediato con la población por dárnoslo”. local. “Todavía queda una gran obra de evangeli- “La muerte no quita la vida. La transforma”, zación por hacer en cuanto a una religiosidad muy dijo en el funeral, el P. Gianfranco Vianello, quien popular y generalmente superficial”, escribió en compartió una misión con el P. Raju en la parroquia 2009, describiendo su misión en una carta. En 2016, de Jardim Itajai. fue llamado a regresar a la India para servir como Que estas palabras nos permitan compren- rector del Queen of Apostles College, el seminario der el significado de estas pérdidas, y ayuden ala preparatorio de PIME en Eluru. Había regresado comunidad de PIME en São Paulo a transformarse a São Paulo a principios de 2019, redescubriendo con el ejemplo del P. Toninho y el P. Raju. Nacer de a la parroquia que había dejado atrás; y que, había nuevo a la luz de su testimonio, y continuar la misión crecido desde que se formaron algunas favelas en el por la que dieron su vida. La pasión por el Evangelio, barrio. Durante la pandemia, había traído su testi- el anuncio a todos de que hay un Amor mayor, y más monio y su mensaje de amor, utilizando donaciones bello que nada, incluso la muerte misma. del Fondo Mundial PIME Coronavirus, creando un Brasil 27 Historia de portada Manifestantes se reúnen para protestar contra el golpe militar en Yangon.

myanmar: Sueños robados

Por Chiara Zappa pantes que aún afligen a este maravilloso país del sudeste asiático, comenzando por las tensiones Después de una breve temporada democrática, el entre las muchas etnias que siempre lo han habitado, golpe de febrero volvió a hundir al país asiático en la el camino democrático no se había interrumpido. violencia. “Pero no podemos defraudar a esta gener- Durante las elecciones del pasado mes de ación también”, dice el cardenal Charles Maung Bo, noviembre, la Liga Nacional por la Democra- Arzobispo de Yangon. cia (LND) de Daw Suu, “La Dama”, como la gente de la antigua Birmania siempre ha llamado a la ensaron que realmente habían pasado la amada líder democrática, ganó por abrumado- página en Myanmar. Después de décadas ra mayoría. La victoria de la LND mantendría una de dura dictadura militar, purgas de dis- mayoría absoluta en ambas ramas del Parlamento; identes,P terror y violencia, las recientes aperturas un éxito flagrante que preocupaba a los militares. democráticas habían traído un soplo de esperanza Esta fuerza siempre ha sido potente en Myanmar, casi inesperado. incluso si últimamente se ha movido hacia las Aung San Suu Kyi, un ícono de la oposición, sombras. La magnitud de este éxito provocó acusa- pasando del arresto domiciliario al Parlamento y al ciones de fraude y solicitudes de recuento de votos gobierno, parecía un sueño. Aunque en los últimos por parte de los líderes de las fuerzas armadas. Todo años hubieran resurgido muchos temas preocu- ello en un momento en el que la solidez política del 28 Mission World myanmar: Sueños robados gobierno civil se veía afectada a las partes a un diálogo construc- salieron a las calles pacífica- por el distanciamiento de la tivo por el bien del país. mente. La gente se ha enfrenta- comunidad internacional, tras las Su Eminencia, ¿cuál es do a innumerables desafíos en acusaciones de haber respaldado la situación social en este el último año. La pandemia llevó la violencia del ejército contra la momento? “Las condiciones eran a la gente al borde de la supervi- minoría étnica rohingya. Luego, desastrosas, incluso antes del vencia, y había una gran expec- el 1 de febrero, la noticia que golpe de Estado. La pandemia tativa por un nuevo gobierno nadie hubiera querido escuchar COVID-19 sumió a casi el 60% que pudiera atender las necesi- de nuevo, que el Tatmadaw (el de la población en la inseguridad dades urgentes. Por eso, ahora, la ejército de Myanmar) anunció alimentaria; cerraron negocios y gente está exasperada y apoya las el arresto de Aung San Suu Kyi, millones de personas perdieron protestas”. el presidente Win Myint, y otros sus empleos. El hambre iba en ¿Cómo están reaccionan- líderes de la LND. Luego, la trans- aumento y esta nueva tragedia do los fieles católicos, el clero y ferencia de poder al comandante nos ha golpeado cuando la gente la Iglesia? “La respuesta no es en jefe de las fuerzas armadas, es más vulnerable. En el ámbito uniforme; este es un tema muy Min Aung Hlaing. Un nuevo de la salud también la situación es delicado. Hay una nueva gener- golpe de estado, un estado de precaria. Si el virus ya amenazaba ación de fieles que ha crecido con emergencia impuesto durante el frágil sistema de salud, ahora las redes sociales y el conocimien- un año, y el cierre de las redes de muchos médicos están saliendo to del mundo exterior. comunicación. Nuevamente, la de los hospitales en protesta, Tienen mayor conciencia de gente salió a las calles, dispuesta justo cuando ha comenzado la sus derechos y, por lo tanto, se a soportar la brutalidad de la campaña de vacunación. Hasta oponen a todo lo que sienten que represión para no dar otro salto el momento, la respuesta a la es una injusticia. Estos jóvenes aterrador al pasado. pandemia había sido buena y, a nacieron después del pre-golpe, “La situación es crítica. pesar de los problemas, las tasas y han alcanzado la mayoría Debemos detener la matanza; de infección y mortalidad no eran de edad en la era de Internet. hemos visto demasiada muy altas. Ahora no sabemos qué Sus valores y educación ya no sangre en nuestra historia”. El pasará”. provienen solo de la familia y la cardenal Charles Maung Bo, Desde Myanmar, estamos Iglesia. Están a la vanguardia del Arzobispo de Yangon, no oculta recibiendo imágenes de multi- movimiento de resistencia, y esto su preocupación ni la urgencia tudes oceánicas que se manifies- tiene un impacto sustancial en la del momento. “Necesitamos tan en todas las ciudades contra comunidad; esta participación negociar; chocar cabezas sólo el golpe de Estado. ¿La población mueve a muchos sacerdotes y puede conducir a la tragedia”. apoya plenamente la protesta? religiosos” El cardenal birmano lo había “El movimiento de desobedien- ¿Ha participado activamente declarado desde el principio. El 3 cia civil fue espontáneo, inicial- la Iglesia? “Hemos propuesto de febrero emitió un mensaje en mente iniciado por un médico. ayunos y vigilias por la paz. Poco el que, condenando el golpe, instó Los jóvenes se unieron, y miles a poco, muchos de estos jóvenes Agenzia Fides un hombre de diálogo Charles Maung Bo, primer cardenal de Myanmar, es arzobispo de Yangon desde 2003. Nacido en 1948 en un pueblo de la Arquidiócesis de Mandalay, fue ordenado sacerdote salesiano en 1976. En 1990, se convirtió en Obispo de Lashio. En 1996, se trasladó a la Diócesis de Pathein y, en 2002, a la Arquidióce- sis de Mandalay. Defensor del diálogo, presidió la Conferen- cia Episcopal de Myanmar de 2000 a 2006. El Papa lo nombró cardenal en 2015. Desde 2019 preside la Federación de Confer- encias Episcopales de Asia. Historia de portada 29 Manifestantes en Washington D.C. portan una pancarta y carteles a favor de los grupos étnicos de Myanmar durante una manifestación contra el golpe de Estado. también están volviendo a fundamental porque es potente no es un juego con suma cero. depender de la oración en las par- y controla a la policía. La ASEAN La mayoría de los gobiernos han roquias o en las calles. Debemos (Asociación de Naciones del pedido el retorno de la democra- tener en cuenta que la Iglesia Sudeste Asiático) está tratando de cia y la restauración del liderazgo Católica es étnicamente diversa, involucrarse en el diálogo, pero de Aung San Suu Kyi” ya que comprende ocho grupos no hay resultados sustanciales. El ¿Qué le pediría a la étnicos principales y otras comu- ejército ha declarado su intención comunidad internacional? “Ver a nidades, como la china y la india. de celebrar nuevas elecciones Myanmar más allá de los partidos La mayoría de nuestras diócesis dentro de un año, pero está por políticos y el ejército; esta es una están formadas por minorías y, verse si eso suceda. El escenario nación de gente trabajadora a veces, esto lleva a visiones dif- más oscuro sería una repetición que ha sido desafiada durante erentes. Sin embargo, hay una de lo que sucedió en el ‘88 cuando 70 años. Una vez fuimos el país respuesta muy similar a nivel de la junta militar se consolidó, y más rico de la zona, pero ahora la generación más joven de fieles. permaneció en el poder por otras estamos entre los más pobres Como Conferencia Episcopal, dos décadas. Oremos para que no del mundo. He hecho un llama- hemos hecho un llamado a todos suceda esta vez”. miento a la comunidad interna- para que se establezca un diálogo ¿Cree que la deslegitimación cional para no paralizar nuestra entre las partes”. de Aung San Suu Kyi por parte economía con duras sanciones. La ¿Tiene alguna salida a esta de la comunidad internacional gente necesita trabajo. Necesita situación? “No hay alternativa fue un error? “Los jóvenes están alimentos; los países extranjeros al diálogo. Tememos el derrama- firmemente con Aung San Suu deben pasar de la condena a la miento de sangre a gran escala. El Kyi; la gente la quiere. En las participación. Las negociaciones drama de los padres que entierran elecciones de noviembre pasado, son la única salida, no una con- a sus hijos debe terminar. Por obtuvo el 83% de los votos, y frontación aún más dura”. lo tanto, no cesemos nuestros cuando se permita volver a votar, ¿Tiene confianza en la nueva esfuerzos por llevar a las partes volverá a ganar. Dentro del país, generación de Myanmar? “Como a la mesa de negociaciones. La su autoridad ha aumentado. Cier- salesiano y firme creyente en comunidad internacional y las tamente, su brillo como ícono el cariño de San Juan Bosco Naciones Unidas se han pro- de la democracia se ha visto por los jóvenes, tengo una gran nunciado enérgicamente contra empañado por su controvertida confianza. Mi corazón llora por el golpe, y la Sesión Especial de defensa del ejército en los tribu- ellos. Cuatro o cinco generaciones la ONU sobre Myanmar pidió el nales internacionales, y algunos han visto sus sueños destrui- retorno a la democracia. Lamen- grupos de derechos humanos dos en este país y, hoy en día, los tablemente, hasta el momento, no están profundamente decepcio- jóvenes están luchando una vez ha habido respuesta del ejército, nados con ella. Pero la reacción más para evitar que sus sueños que sigue siendo un interlocutor del mundo al golpe nos dice que se conviertan en una pesadilla. 30 May // June 2021 No podemos volver a decepcionarlos. Myanmar ha sido bendecida con tantos recursos naturales, Una historia turbulenta pero la riqueza humana es el mejor recurso. Casi 1948: Se gana la independencia de Inglaterra. el 40% de la población es joven. Si sólo nuestros líderes valoraran el dividendo demográfico, esta 1958-1960: Se forma el primer gobierno militar. nación podría superar a cualquier vecino rico en 1962: Golpe militar y comienzo del régimen. Se una década. Nuestros niños necesitan una buena proclama oficialmente el “camino birmano al educación, trabajos decentes, y la promesa de un socialismo”. Represión violenta de la protesta futuro brillante; ellos lo exigen. Estoy seguro de estudiantil en la Universidad de Rangún; más de que el espíritu de San Juan Bosco está con ellos en 100 víctimas mueren a manos del ejército. la lucha, pero temo por su seguridad. ¿Qué pasará si 1965: Nacionalización de escuelas privadas y todavía enfrentan la decepción y el fracaso? Como hospitales cristianos. Iglesia y nación, debemos protegerlos”. Usted también es presidente de la Federación 1966: Expulsión de los misioneros (incluidos de Conferencias Episcopales de Asia: ¿cuáles son varios de PIME) que habían llegado después de la los principales desafíos en el área? “El primero se independencia. refiere al virus de las democracias sombrías yel 1976: Los líderes rebeldes étnicos de doce grupos autoritarismo, que ha infectado a muchos países forman el Frente Nacional Democrático. asiáticos. De diez países asiáticos, sólo dos pueden 1988: El 8 de agosto hay una revuelta organiza- definirse como verdaderas democracias. Aunque el da por estudiantes, y millones de manifestantes desarrollo económico ha aumentado, ha tenido un toman las calles por la democracia y los derechos costo enorme en términos de los derechos humanos humanos. Cientos de víctimas mueren a manos y las libertades. Incluso, la India, que alguna vez del ejército en Rangún. El 24 de septiembre del fue un faro de la democracia, ha caído en la manip- mismo año, nace la Liga Nacional por la Democ- ulación iliberal. Justo en estas semanas, tenemos racia (LND), y Aung San Suu Kyi, hija del “Padre el triste caso de un anciano sacerdote de 83 años, de la Patria” Aung San, se convierte en Secretaria el Padre Jesuita Stan Swamy, encarcelado por su General. trabajo con los pobres”. ¿Cuáles son las otras prioridades de la Confer- 1989: La junta militar cambia el nombre del país encia? “En toda la zona, la carrera por el desarrollo a Myanmar. El 20 de julio: Aung San Suu Kyi y el ha mutilado dos grandes derechos constantemente presidente de la LND, U Tin Oo son puestos bajo subrayados por el Papa Francisco: los derechos arresto domiciliario y se les impide ser elegidos. económicos y ambientales. Luego, está el gran tema 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi recibe el Premio Nobel de la migración; los países ricos de Asia se han ben- de la Paz. eficiado de la explotación de la mano de obra barata 2008: El ciclón Nargis causa una destrucción de los países más pobres. No existe un acuerdo catastrófica, y más de 100 mil víctimas. Ese regional sobre protección laboral, y hoy millones mismo año, la Junta aprueba una nueva consti- de personas se encuentran fuera de sus países; a tución que prevé elecciones libres, pero deja un menudo, en condiciones brutales de esclavitud poder considerable en manos del ejército. moderna. Finalmente, me gustaría mencionar a los pueblos indígenas, a quienes hemos dirigido nuestra 2010: Aung San Suu Kyi es liberada del arresto atención gracias al Sínodo sobre el Amazonas y domiciliario. la encíclica ‘Laudato si’, que han pedido un gran 2012: Elecciones parciales ganadas por la LND. respeto por su forma de vida, y una mayor protec- Aung San Suu Kyi ingresa al Parlamento. ción del medio ambiente natural. Existe una vasta 2015: LND triunfa en las primeras elecciones área en Asia, que se extiende desde los mares del parlamentarias libres el 8 de noviembre. sur de China hasta las partes centrales de la India, donde los indígenas antes vivían en armonía con la 2016-2017: Masacres contra la minoría naturaleza. Hoy en día, estas personas se reducen musulmana rohingya. en número, y la forma de vida actual amenaza cada 2020: 8 de noviembre, las elecciones las gana la vez más su propia supervivencia. No podemos LND. El ejército denuncia fraude. mirar para otro lado”, concluye el Cardenal Bo.1948: 2021: Se produce el golpe militar. Aung San Suu Se gana la independencia de Inglaterra. Kyi y otros líderes destacados son arrestados. Historia de portada 31 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

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