For the Sons of Charity in Ivory Coast, 2011 was a “signal year.”  In the midst of the craziness of war, they went through the trial united to the people of their neighborhoods in Abidjan, opting up for charity and solidarity.  A little light in the darkness.  During a recent visit to the country, I had the opportunity to was able to see once again that the actions and gestures of the shepherds are worth more than a thousand speeches.  So many people thanked me, in the name of their communities, for the support of my brothers in these difficult times!  Now it´s a question of remaining faithful to that same spirit.  It´s a long-term task, for, even though the guns have fallen silent, hearts are far from having found peace.  This year´s 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Sons in Abidjan, will be an opportunity to reaffirm the value of this every day fidelity through a life of permanent dedication.  There are many people in Africa who give the example, beginning with those women of the poor people, who work faithfully every day to make a life for their families and to support the community.

Our brothers in Brazzaville, who are living in a country that has known three wars since the 1990´s, know well what it means.  A firm commitment to humanizing human existence has resulted in the creation of a school in the parish, that offers education based on fraternity to children who are, in many cases, orphans or children of young women who were raped.  With parents and teachers involved in this education project, the team of Sons responsible for the parish of Nduncia Mpungu (Holy Spirit) manage a pastoral project that, among other things, tries to open up hearts, homes, the language, and ethnic groups to “the other.”   The country is planning elections for this year.  Will they be a repetition of elections in neighboring Congo (RDC), or of Ivory Coast´s elections?   Some people fear that possibility.  One thing is sure:  what´s at stake in this long, important work that goes by the name of “fidelity” in brotherhood is the people´s capacity to resist the ravenous sharks of power.   

The Sons team in Kinshasa, is also experiencing the power of fidelity in an impoverished population that has begun rebuilding the neighborhood church, a place of prayer and fraternity that was about to fall down.  A few friends from outside (unfortunately, only a few, because since that solidarity funds have other priorities), and much involvement of the people themselves, are moving the work forward.  It´s an excellent school of resistance and solidarity, for confronting the cheating and lies of those who hold power and those from outside who supported them in the manipulated elections that were just held.  The bishops have said:  “What is occurring in the recount of the legislative elections is unacceptable.  It is an embarrassment for our country.  We believe the electoral process has been affected by serious irregularities that put in question the credibility of the published election results.  The bishops go on:  “We invite the Catholic faithful and the Congolese people in general to non-violence, for violence engenders violence, and produces nothing but misery and destruction. (01/11/12).  This, too, is standing for fidelity, guided by justice, truth, and charity.

                                                                                    José Miguel Sopeña, fc