Kinshasa News

 

Lots of New Faces

 
         There are lots of new faces that have arrived at the Crosier house in Kinshasa over the past few years.  Father Bob Rossi, the former superior, has been in Brazil now for about two and a half years.  He was sent there by the Master General of the Crosier Order, the Very Reverend Glen Lewandowski, o.s.c., to become the provincial administrator of that province, until the province could care more normally for itself.  Father Kambale Kagheni Sylvestre,o.s.c., is the new superior and director of formation.  He also teaches some theology at the Institut Mazenod where the brothers go for their studies.  Brother Kambale Kibwana Germain, o.s.c., is the business manager of the house and the center for children which the Crosiers direct.  Father Kambale Sivahavwa Jean-Baptiste, o.s.c., is in his second year of studies in moral theology at the Catholic Faculties.
        Brother Kambere Ombeni Augustin, o.s.c., made his perpetual vows as a Crosier on September 14, 2006 at Mulo in North Kivu.  Now he has returned to Kinshasa for his final year of theology.  Brother Kambale Musondolya Manzekele Erasme, o.s.c., is in his third year of theology along with Brother Muhindo Mwenge George, o.s.c.  Brother Kakule Syavuyirira Maelezo Joachim, o.s.c., has returned to Mulo for an apostolic year.  He is teaching in the high schools of Mulo and working in the boys' boarding school.  Brother Maboko Dieudonné, o.s.c., is in the middle of his second year of theology.
        New in the house and in their first year of theology this year are Brothers Rafiki, Jules, Emmanuel, Gerard, Jean-Marie and Arnaud.  They finished their philosophy studies this past July at Holy Cross College in Mulo, North Kivu.
        Very interestingly for the community, three members of the Independant Committe for the Election of the President have loged in the house for several years now.  The biggest part of their work has now been accomplished with the successful election of a president.  This committee, which is made up in effect of about a 1000 members, has done wonderful and outstanding work.  Many of the members have been teachers in universities and they have given of their wisdom for the betterment of their countrymen.
        The Center for Street Kids, Bolingani, continues with 12 children between the ages of 7 and 18.  Mama Sylvie directs the center and is assisted by a cook and a night watchman.  The night watchman is a teacher during the day and in the evenings he can help the children with their homework.  They go to different schools in the city.  The group is very diverse but nonetheless they have formed a certain brotherhood and watch out of each other, especially when one is in difficulty.  There are thousands of street kids in Kinshasa;  thankfully, the Crosiers are able to care for at least a few.        The community has purchased an adjacent property that had only the ruin of a former house on it.  There are plans to build a house for visitors along with a multi-purpose room that could be rented out for weddings and parties.  This welcome center could then become a source of some income for the house.  It is hoped to have a cyber-cafe and a bookstore as part of the complex.

       The Crosier community of Kinshasa was founded in 1991, primarily for young Crosiers studying theology.  The community numbers thirteen: 3 priests and 10 student Brothers. This year there are Brothers in the community who are studying philosophy and computer science.  One Brother is in pastoral training. 

        The priest members of the community are Fr. Kambale Kagheni Sylvestre (rector), Fr. Bob Rossi (formation director) and Fr. Mbusa Machozi Olivier (business manager and student of Canon Law at the Catholic University).  Studying theology are Brs. Muhindo Byanjiya Benjamin, Kasereka Takwa Benôit, Lwanzo Katembo Anselme, Sirikivuya Mumbere Aristide, Kambere Ombeni Augustin, Kambale Muhongya Elisée and Kambale Musondolya Manzekele Erasme.  The Brother studying philosophy is Paluku Tsongo Anselm and the Brother studying computer science is Lufua-Lufua Maurice.  Br. Kambale Bwirabwahali Joseph has finished his theological studies and is in a year of pastoral training in a local parish, at the Catholic radio station and at the prison. 

        Kinshasa is the capital of the Congo with an estimated population of 8,000,000 people.  It is a sprawling city, marked by severe poverty (80-90% [?] unemployment).  With the recent end of a 5-year civil war and the establishment of a transitional government, the people of the whole country now hope—however guardedly—for a better future.  

 

The Crosiers of Kinshasa sponsor a small center for street children.  The Center Mboka Bolingani (House of Peace) cares for 11 young boys, ranging from ages 6 – 17.   All of these children have lived in the streets, have suffered physically and emotionally and are struggling, with the help of the Crosiers and the small lay staff of the Center, to recover their lives.  They live as a family, study in local schools, participate in the life of the local parish.  The Crosiers try to find members of their extended families who are willing to take them back and give them the opportunity to grow up amongst their own.  Some 10 boys have been reunited with family members since the foundation of the Center in 1993.

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