Harrie est né à Tilburg, Pays-Bas, le 14 septembre 1923. Il reçoit sa formation missionnaire à Sterksel, à St. Charles près de Boxtel, à s’Heerenberg, à Rossington-Hall et à Monteviot, en Écosse, où il prononce son serment le 30 mai 1950 ; il est ordonné dans l’église de Galashiels le 1er juin 1950.

Harrie avait un bon jugement et était de disposition plaisante et aimable. C’était une personne calme, persévérante, un grand travailleur, méthodique, un homme d’action. Il se montrait toujours prêt à rendre service, à collaborer avec quelqu’un et à chercher des possibilités et des solutions. Son frère plus âgé était missionnaire de Mill Hill et Harrie avait été deux ans dans leur petit séminaire avant de nous rejoindre à Sterksel. En ces jours-là, il eut quelques difficultés à suivre les études.

En janvier 1952, Harrie part pour le diocèse de Kigoma en Tanzanie. La nuit de son arrivée en ville, il fait sa première expérience d’un grand tremblement de terre. Après quelques jours, il repart, voyageant à l’arrière d’un camion du diocèse, pour aller à Makere, sa première paroisse, “la plus belle et la plus intéressante du diocèse”. Il y étudie la langue Ha et la culture ; heureusement, toute la population du diocèse appartient au même groupe ethnique. Harrie travaille avec trois autres prêtres dans la pastorale et réalise des constructions : une scierie, une charpenterie, un four à briques, ainsi qu’un grand dépôt de chaux.

À cette époque, catholiques et protestants étaient encore en compétition pour établir leurs écoles de brousse ; les prédécesseurs d’Harrie avaient réussi à s’emparer des villages les plus importants. En décembre 1952, le Régional écrit qu’il est plein de louanges pour Harrie mais que ce dernier interprète le règlement dans un sens plutôt large !

Fin 1953, Harrie est nommé au petit séminaire d’Ujiji pour enseigner l’anglais, le latin et la géographie. Le latin lui demande beaucoup de préparation. De plus, il doit trouver du temps pour étudier le swahili, la langue nationale. Il aime la communauté mais il découvre que la vie de séminaire n’a rien de commun avec la vie en paroisse et que les séminaristes sont bien différents des jeunes ruraux. Il soupire : “Donne-moi la brousse quand tu veux.”

Le 26 décembre 1955, Harrie part d’Ujiji pour Kaengesa (diocèse de Subawanga) avec le recteur J. Steinkamp (décédé en 1981) et quarante étudiants. Ils y commencent un nouveau petit séminaire et vivent dans des bâtiments temporaires. En mars 1956, le premier groupe de Jeunes Catholiques Volontaires arrive des Pays-Bas puis, en mai, le deuxième. Ce sont six jeunes hommes pleins d’enthousiasme et d’idéal. Ils jettent les fondations et, après trois mois, un tiers des bâtiments est prêt. Cette expérience réussie démontre combien la foi peut inspirer la vie et le travail de jeunes travailleurs laïcs, convaincus, dévoués et de bonne humeur. Cela fait grande impression sur la population.

Début 1957, Harrie retourne au travail paroissial dans la ville de Kigoma puis, en 1958, à Kakonko comme curé. En octobre 1960, il part pour Mabamba et il y reste treize ans comme curé. C’est l’époque où, dans toutes les succursales, les laïcs s’engagent dans l’activité pastorale spécialement par les mouvements de l’Apostolat des Laïcs et de la Légion de Marie. Plus tard, ces mouvements sont remplacés par les Petites Communautés Chrétiennes et par les conseils de communautés, lesquels sont coordonnés par le conseil paroissial. Le rôle des catéchistes est très important et Harrie leur accorde beaucoup d’attention. C’est l’époque des diverses sessions et séminaires.

Au début des années 1970, le gouvernement commence une politique de regroupements en villages. Les gens vivant distants les uns des autres, l’eau, les soins de santé et l’éducation ne peuvent pas les atteindre ; ce sont donc les gens qui doivent s’en approcher. Harrie et ses compagnons dépensent beaucoup d’énergie et de temps à en expliquer les bénéfices à la population. En plus des villages “normaux”, il y a aussi les villages Ujamaa. Dans ceux-ci, les habitants ont leurs propres champs et ils travaillent tous ensemble dans des parcelles communes dont ils se partagent le profit, selon la vision du Président Nyerere : vivre et travailler ensemble. Harrie commence un de ces villages avec 19 jeunes gens et l’appelle Nyabitaka. Ils construisent leurs maisons, aidés par les subsides de l’Habitat. Nyerere est venu y jeter un coup d’œil et rencontra Harrie personnellement. Nyabitaka s’est développé et existe toujours.

En décembre 1973, Harrie devient curé à Kasangezi où il restera douze ans. C’est l’un de ces nouveaux villages, des deux côtés de la route principale entre Kasulu et Kigoma. Il appartenait auparavant à la paroisse de Marumba. Le centre de la paroisse se trouve dans les collines et il est difficile d’accès, d’où le projet de le transférer à Kasangezi. Un des prédécesseurs d’Harrie, Frank Tryers (décédé en 1989), avait commencé le transfert ; il vivait là-bas dans une hutte, éclairé d’une lampe kérosène. Ses confrères craignaient qu’il ne soit brûlé vif !

Pendant son activité pastorale régulière, Harrie supervisa la construction de l’église paroissiale, du presbytère, du couvent pour les Sœurs missionnaires du Burundi et de leur polyclinique avec une maternité. En tout cela, il manifesta un grand dévouement comme il l’avait fait à Mabamba.

En septembre 1986, Harrie, 63 ans, part pour remplacer un prêtre à Kakonko pendant une année puis, à partir de septembre 1987, il vit et travaille à Makerere comme vicaire.

En juin 1993, ayant presque 70 ans, il retourne définitivement aux Pays-Bas. Le 15 octobre, il devient aumônier d’un home pour personnes âgées à Heelsum, succédant ainsi à Kees van Schijndel, décédé le 4 mai de cette année. En mai 2000, Harrie se retire dans notre communauté à Vaassen et, en juillet 2002, il vient à Dongen. Quelques fois par mois, il célèbre l’eucharistie en trois communautés, dont une de Frères et deux de Sœurs ; ses homélies sont appréciées. Il aime regarder le football et participe volontiers aux services communautaires. Il apprécie un petit verre et, quand c’est possible, il fait une promenade quotidienne sur sa bicyclette servo-assistée ou à pieds, muni de sa canne. Trois confrères de la communauté étaient nés à Tilburg, étaient contemporains et avaient tous les trois vécu et travaillé en Tanzanie. C’était beau de les voir se taquiner l’un l’autre ou se rappeler le bon vieux temps dans leur ville !

En avril 2011, Harrie quitta pour aller à Heythuysen. Au moment de son départ, le Supérieur releva combien il avait été un atout dans la communauté, toujours disponible pour un service, qu’il soit plaisant ou non. À Heythuysen, Harrie apprécia sa retraite jusqu’en été 2012 lorsqu’une sérieuse maladie fut diagnostiquée. Il déclina rapidement et décéda paisiblement le 16 octobre au matin. Le Supérieur délégué présida les funérailles le 19 octobre et Harrie fut enterré dans notre cimetière. “Ils s’en allèrent prêcher en tout lieu, le Seigneur agissant avec eux et confirmant la Parole par les signes qui l’accompagnaient.” (Mc 16, 20)

Marien van den Eijnden

Père Hans Brudny

1933 - - 2013

Hans est né le 25 janvier 1933 à Gelsenkirchen, en Allemagne. Ses parents sont originaires de Silésie. Ils ont cinq fils et quatre filles. Un des frères de Hans est devenu missionnaire au Chili.

Très jeune déjà, Hans ressent une vocation missionnaire. En 1947, il entre à notre petit séminaire de Rietberg. En 1954, il termine ses études secondaires dans notre école de Grosskrotzenburg avec le baccalauréat. Il suit les cours de philosophie à Trèves, fait son noviciat aux États-Unis et étudie la théologie à Ottawa, au Canada. C’est là qu’il prononce son serment missionnaire le 27 janvier 1960 et qu’il est ordonné prêtre le 17 juin de la même année. Ses formateurs considèrent qu’il a bien profité de sa formation ; il aime étudier et veut devenir un bon prêtre. Ses capacités pratiques, jointes à certains dons artistiques, sont très vite découvertes. Hans mettra en pratique ses compétences plus tard, en mission, quand il construira des bâtiments fonctionnels et terminés avec goût.

Peu après son ordination et un congé en Allemagne, Hans part pour le diocèse de Bukoba en Tanzanie. Au cours de son premier voyage vers l’Afrique, on lui offre un séjour à Rome. Il apprécie beaucoup cette courte visite pendant laquelle il séjourne au Généralat et prend part à une audience papale.
Hans commence son travail missionnaire à Kashozi, qui est une des plus grandes paroisses du diocèse de Bukoba. Il étudie la langue locale et prend part à l’activité pastorale dans une région où vivent beaucoup de catholiques. Sa vocation spécifique apparaît rapidement : diviser le territoire des énormes paroisses en ouvrant des succursales et de nouvelles paroisses. C’est ainsi qu’il rapproche l’Église des gens. Trois ans après son arrivée à Kashozi, il commence déjà à construire une nouvelle paroisse à Ischwandini. Il devient le premier curé de cette communauté.

En 1968, Hans part en congé en Allemagne. Il y reste pour l’animation missionnaire. Aller d’école en école et de paroisse en paroisse, rencontrer toujours de nouvelles personnes et essayer de promouvoir la mission en Afrique est un lourd fardeau pour lui. Il écrit au Provincial que sa vocation est d’être en Afrique et non pas en Allemagne. Il termine cependant son contrat de trois ans.

Ayant fini son devoir missionnaire en Allemagne, Hans prend part de nouveau et de tout cœur au travail missionnaire dans le diocèse de Bukoba. Jusqu’en 1977, il est curé à Ngote. Dans le diocèse de Bukoba, le christianisme est déjà bien enraciné. La majorité de la population est chrétienne et il y a beaucoup de vocations sacerdotales et religieuses. Hans est heureux d’être un collaborateur ainsi qu’un témoin de la croissance d’une Église locale en Afrique.

Lentement, la Société retire ses missionnaires du diocèse de Bukoba pour les envoyer dans des diocèses moins développés. Hans s’en va au diocèse de Mbeya, dans le sud de la Tanzanie. La paroisse de Vwawa est le lieu où il révèle son zèle pour la première évangélisation. Il écrit : “Mbeya est l’inverse de Bukoba. Là-bas, il y a environ 80 % de chrétiens alors qu’ici ils forment seulement 8 % de la population. Là-bas, vous trouvez plus d’une centaine de prêtres autochtones, alors qu’ici il n’y en a que huit. Là-bas, vous avez de petites paroisses proches les unes des autres, avec peu de succursales, alors qu’ici vous n’avez que peu de paroisses, la plupart couvrant de larges étendues. Alors qu’à Bukoba le travail missionnaire à proprement parler est presque terminé, à Mbeya nous en sommes au début.” Peu après l’arrivée de Hans à Vwawa, de nouvelles communautés chrétiennes se rassemblent en de belles chapelles construites dans les villages.

En 1981, Hans devient curé de Chunya, une paroisse qui recouvre un des plus grands territoires de toute la Tanzanie. À la fin de son service là-bas, il avait non seulement ouvert beaucoup de nouvelles succursales mais aussi fondé deux nouvelles paroisses : Lupa et Kambikatoto.

Hans était fait pour la première évangélisation. C’était un missionnaire zélé et un bon organisateur. Il ne construisit pas seulement de nouvelles chapelles, mais aussi des communautés chrétiennes. Il était disposé à faire de grands sacrifices pour réaliser ses objectifs missionnaires. C’était un véritable “missionnaire de brousse”, dans le bon sens du terme : plein d’énergie, parfois un peu rude, même avec les gens, mais un vrai pionnier.

Ses efforts ont lentement affecté sa santé. En l’an 2000, Hans subit une opération du cœur en Allemagne et il peut retourner en Tanzanie. Mais, deux ans plus tard, il doit rentrer définitivement en Allemagne. Ses facultés physiques et intellectuelles ayant diminué, c’est le début d’un long chemin de croix. Bientôt, il n’est plus capable de parler et il a besoin de soins exhaustifs.

Dès la fin de l’an 2002 jusqu’à sa mort, il est resté à Haigerloch où ses confrères se sont occupés de lui avec beaucoup d’attention. Pendant dix ans, ce missionnaire actif et énergique a dû porter la croix de la fragilité et de la dépendance. Son Sauveur l’a rappelé à lui le 26 janvier 2013. Hans fut enterré au cimetière de la communauté à Haigerloch le 31 janvier 2013.

Rolf Wigger

Père Emilio Escudero Yangüela

1935 - - 2012

Emilio est né le 21 février 1935 dans la ville de León (Espagne). Il fut baptisé le 5 mars, à la paroisse de St-Jean de Regla et reçut la confirmation le 5 juin 1945, à l’âge de 10 ans, avant d’aller au petit séminaire de Logroño, car la famille de sa maman était originaire de La Rioja et son père, policier de la route
(“motard”), appartenait à la brigade de Logroño.

Après les études de Philo, Emilio part au noviciat de Maison-Carrée, où il prend l’habit le 27 septembre 1954. Il prononça son Serment missionnaire à Carthage (Tunisie) le 17 juin 1958, veille de son ordination au sous-diaconat. Le 11 octobre suivant, aussi à Carthage, il est ordonné diacre. Finalement il reçoit le sacerdoce le 2 février 1959 à Madrid.

Il s’embarque à Marseille le 10 octobre 1959 pour le Mali. Nommé à Sikasso, dans la mission de Sanzana, il y restera jusqu’en 1964, date à laquelle il revient en congé en Espagne. Il est alors nommé pour l’animation missionnaire. Il passe deux années à Barcelone et deux autres années à Séville, d’où il retourne au Mali, en 1968. Le 3 novembre, nous le retrouvons comme vicaire à Sanzana. Six années après, il en devient curé.

Le 1er octobre 1978, il part pour l’ICAO à Abidjan. Là, il fait des études pour approfondir ses recherches ethnographiques et linguistiques sur les Sénoufo, un peuple à cheval sur trois pays de l’Afrique occidentale : le Mali, le Burkina Faso et la Côte d’Ivoire.

À son retour d’Abidjan, il est nommé curé de Dyou, diocèse de Sikasso. En septembre 1984, Emilio prend part à la session retraite de Jérusalem et, en 1985, il fait le stage de langue bambara au CELA de Faladyè. Ensuite, il retourne à Dyou, jusqu’à son départ en congé en Espagne, le 7 avril 1989. Le 1er octobre 1989, il est nommé vicaire à la cathédrale de Sikasso. Le 1er octobre 1994, après une courte période d’un an à Sanzana comme vicaire, nous retrouvons Emilio à Sikasso, cette fois-ci comme vicaire pour les Sénoufo.

Trois années s’écoulent à Sikasso. Pendant ce temps, on lui demande de faire de prospections en vue de la fondation d’une nouvelle paroisse chez les Sénoufos, celle de Fanterela, à 40 km de Sikasso. Il en devient le curé. Il y restera jusqu’au 1er novembre 2000, date à laquelle il prend une année sabbatique à l’Africanum de Madrid.

Le 16 mars 2002, Emilio est de retour à Sikasso, au Centre Wayerema, où il se consacre à des études sur la culture sénoufo. En 2004, il crée le Centre de Recherche pour la Sauvegarde et la Promotion de la Culture Sénoufo, d’abord à Sikasso et ensuite à Bobo-Dioulasso. Il y restera jusqu’au 15 septembre 2012, quand il revient en congé à Valence chez sa sœur María. C’est là qu’il sera terrassé par un infarctus cérébral. Il y est décédé le 2 novembre 2012, à l’âge de 77 ans, dont 54 de vie missionnaire au Mali et en Espagne.

Selon le témoignage de Camilo Ochandorena, qui a travaillé avec lui au Mali, “Emilio s’est efforcé d’être avant tout un disciple de Jésus de Nazareth au milieu du peuple sénoufo. Cela demandait d’être proche des gens comme un ami. Être témoin de Jésus signifiait, pour lui, être avec les gens et vivre pour les gens. C’est alors qu’Emilio s’est mis à composer des chants à la manière des griots africains, tenant compte du rythme des instruments sénoufo. Sa chorale “Annoncer le Message” interprétait de très belles chorégraphies qui ont été exécutées, entre autres, à l’occasion des 25 ans de sacerdoce de l’évêque du lieu, Mgr Jean-Marie Cissé ainsi que du Centenaire de l’Évangélisation du Mali.”

Son évêque affirmait que l’inculturation de la liturgie réalisée par le Père Escudero était un point de non-retour pour l’expression liturgique sénoufo. À Abidjan, le sujet qu’il avait choisi pour sa thèse était : “Le sacrifice Katyire sénoufo et l’Eucharistie chrétienne.”

Emilio était un grand travailleur, un peu poète et un piètre comptable… Heureusement qu’il était austère ! Un jeune confrère africain, Didasio Mwanza, écrit ceci : “Je garde de lui l’image d’un confrère sensible, intelligent, plein de bonne volonté, zélé et convaincu.” Alfred Diallo, catéchiste à Sanzana et grand ami d’Emilio, déclarait : “Emilio était comme la pluie qui fait germer les graines. Il était plus sénoufo que nous-mêmes. Il nous faisait reconnaître nos racines, notre passé, notre langue. Tout cela est très important.”

Le Père Manolo Gallego, qui l’a bien connu depuis 1974, reconnaît : “L’héritage d’Emilio représente un grand défi pour nous, car c’est une invitation pressante à continuer son travail. Dans son Centre, il nous a laissé des caisses pleines de cassettes, de photos, de cahiers… Qui continuera son œuvre ?”

Le 3 novembre, eut lieu la messe de funérailles à Valencia avec la participation des confrères de Madrid et de Benicassim. Ses cendres reposent à la chapelle de la résidence des Missionnaires d’Afrique à Benicassim.

Informée de son décès, l’ambassadrice d’Espagne au Mali, Mme Lourdes Meléndez, envoya une belle lettre de condoléances au Provincial de la PAO et au “Provincial” d’Espagne, soulignant “la chaleur humaine, la bonté et la générosité du Père Emilio. Avec lui ‘un Baobab s’est couché’. Nous sommes fiers du travail qu’il a accompli, surtout avec la réalisation du Centre pour la sauvegarde de la culture sénoufo, l’une des attractions culturelles et touristiques les plus importantes de la région de Sikasso”.

Le 10 novembre, fut célébrée une eucharistie à Sikasso, présidée par l’évêque du diocèse, Mgr Jean-Baptiste Tyama, accompagné par une vingtaine de prêtres diocésains et Missionnaires d’Afrique. De nombreux amis venus du Mali, du Burkina Faso et de Côte d’Ivoire, chrétiens et non chrétiens, se sont joints à l’ensemble de la communauté chrétienne de Sikasso. Finalement, le 24 novembre 2012, les Pères Blancs de Bamako célébrèrent une messe à la demande de l’Ambassade d’Espagne.

Antonio Molina

PROFILES

Father Jos Hoppenbrouwers

1927 - - 2013

Jos was born in St. Oedenrode on the 28th January 1927. In view of becoming a missionary he received his formation in Sterksel, St.Charles near Boxtel, ’s-Heerenberg and Monteviot where he took the Missionary Oath on the 29th May 1950. He was ordained in the Parish of Galashiels, Scotland, on the 31st May 1951. His brother was a diocesan priest and was teaching in the minor seminary.

Jos had a sound judgment, sometimes inclined to over-enthusiasm. He was of a kind nature, but could be domineering although ever ready to render a service. He had a strong will, was someone one could rely upon with a strong sense of duty. He was open and outspoken.

After three months in Claughton Hall, England, for that famous course on the “English Way of Life”, he left for the Vicariate of Likuni, Malawi on the 4th March 1952. He learnt the Nyanja language and culture in Mua. In August of that year he went to Nambuma parish for pastoral work, but a month later he was appointed the Kasian minor seminary. He wrote on the 13th December 1952: “I have got to study like mad to remain ahead of the students”. After some time he was made the bursar there as well. It was quite a job to ensure enough and varied food for some 90 students and 11 teachers. He had to build new classrooms as well. Sometimes, he was so preoccupied with building, that he forgot his teaching periods! He was impressed that so many students persevered and became good priests.

Jos moved to Guilleme parish in September 1957, and in April 1958 to Salima parish. After a good rest in the Netherlands and the 30 days Retreat in Rome, he went to Nambuma parish in September 1960. In August 1961, he was hospitalised in Namitete, and it was only in November that he started getting better.

He was appointed to Namitete Parish and after a number of years, he became the Parish Priest. The continuity of pastoral work was hampered by the fact that his fellow priests were changed so often. In 1966, there was a 4th change as a Malawian diocesan priest, with whom Jos got along very well, was appointed to the Parish. . The other two community members were Brother Wiro van Asten, who was the director of the Technical School, and Brother Stanger.

Other appointments followed: Madisi Parish in December 1966, Visanza (Ntchisi) Parish in 1968, Nathenje Parish in 1970, Mlale Parish in 1974, and on the 8th December 1974, he returned to Madisi. He seldom talked about his pastoral activities or his confreres in the few letters he wrote. Regarding the Diocesan Synod of 1974, he remarked that it took a lot of polycopying!

In 1976 he was appointed to the Msamba Catholic Centre in Lilongwe. He suffered a serious car accident on the 2nd April 1977. He was alone in the car and crossing a bridge; he went off the road and crashed down a six metre high embankment. A passing driver got him out of the wreck and brought him to hospital.

He could only move his arms slightly and his legs not at all. An Italian surgeon operated on him within 24 hours and was able to reconnect some nerves. As a result a total paralysis was avoided. For a healthy man just 50 years of age, this was a terrible blow. For over six weeks, Bro. Wiro van Asten provided the Dutch Provincial with a comprehensive weekly report on his condition supplemented by phone calls from time to time.

Jos was moved to a rehabilitation centre in Amsterdam on the 16th May 1977. He was to stay there for more than 2 years. He had suffered a spinal cord injury and his legs remained paralysed. He had to learn to use a wheel chair for the rest of his life. On 10th August 1979 he was allotted an adapted home and special needs care in ’s-Hertogenbosch. This meant he could drive his adapted car to St. Charles near Boxtel every day and manage the projects office there. He channelled the project applications to the various aid organisations and advised the applicants how to present their projects. For those whose application for aid had been refused, Jos started a solidarity fund which he called “Between two stools”. Spicy titbit: while he himself, when he was in Malawi, never wrote anything about his pastoral activities, he was now badgering us for more information and clearer descriptions!

When St.Charles moved to Heythuysen 1987, Jos and our projects office moved there too and he got a modified home in nearby Venlo. When he could receive the special needs care in our community in Heythuysen, he moved there on the 27th May 2002. The provincial wrote to him on 24th December 1990: “Thank you for the many times that you have been of service to people who, without you, would have literally fallen ‘Between two stools’. Your work behind the scenes is appreciated by many”.

At the occasion of his Golden Jubilee in 2001 Jos said: “Thanks to the many good, kind, and caring people, I have managed to cope, and more than that, I have been enabled to live a happy and useful life notwithstanding my handicap of the last 24 years. I have got to know many confreres and many countries of which, previously, I hardly knew anything at all. I was happy to do the work... The secret is to discern the loving hand of God in all that happens to us. It has taken me time to grasp this. I now know from experience that, indeed, he never lets his friends down”.

In the summer of 2012, he began to decline. He died peacefully in his flat 9th March 2013. We held his funeral in St.Charles on the 15th March 2013 in the presence of his relatives and confreres. He is buried in our graveyard there. Jos himself had prepared all the texts, even the homily!

The following words have guided him from the time of his ordination and he relied on them his whole life:
“No longer do I call you servants… But I have called you friends”. (Jn.15: 15)

Marien van den Eijnden

Faher James (Jim) Fitzpatrick

1922 - - 2012

Fr. James, as he was called by his family and friends, but simply Jim to his confreres both in Uganda and Ireland, was born on the 10th May 1922 in Rosscarbery, West Cork in the south of Ireland.

At this difficult time in Irish history, just after independance, we were establishing ourselves as a republic, people had very little to live on, but the Church and in particular the local parish structures helped to provide a sense of community and support for one another. This was a motivating force in Jim’s vocation as he attended his local primary school in Rosscarbery. Following his primary schooling, he went to Bishop’s Waltham, England for his secondary education. He received his Missionary of Africa habit in 1944 in Sutton Coldfield and completed his Philosophy and Theology in Rossington Hall (Missionary Oath, 29th July 1947) and Monteviot, Scotland (Priesthood, 24th June 1948) respectively.

His formative years helped Jim to open up and appreciate the importance of community life and a relationship with God which was remarked upon in the evaluation made by his Superiors: “Good character... with a solid piety”.

Jim departed for the pearl of Africa, Uganda, in September 1948 to join his brother Tim. This was a journey that he captured with fond memories. He often talked about the 22 seat Dakota plane which took off from the Netherlands and took over two days to arrive in Entebbe. His first image of the African continent was firmly fixed in his mind, as he flew most of the journey over Africa at 8,000 feet. This gave him the opportunity to see Africa for the first time from the air, an Africa he referred to later as “an immense, wonderful continent”. He was to spend the next 53 years there.

He landed in Entebbe in the afternoon to be greeted with the full force of the tropical sun. After resting for a number of days, he departed for Mbarara. Like all of us who have travelled on African roads for the first time, we tend to remember the journey well and Jim was no different. His taxi driver was a French man (White Father-no name) and after stopping at a number of “mission outposts” on the way, he finally arrived (with a better knowledge of French). After some days in Mbarara, Jim finally got his parish appointment to Masindi, 330 miles north of Mbarara. His first reaction upon arrival was one of deep satisfaction and love for the people and this was reflected in one of his first letters he wrote home, “I was struck by the loving and simple esteem which the people had for their missionaries ... missionaries lead a life of utter simplicity and devotion to their people”.

Jim had a number of responsibilities ranging from curate to parish priest to the seminary of Kitabi. His fifty three years of dedicated devotion to Uganda and its people brought him from the Diocese of Mbarara, to the Diocese of Fort Portal and finally to the Diocese of Kasese. He often reflected upon the war in Uganda and its impact upon the people and the economy and indeed its impact upon him. It was at this point that he appreciated the real importance of community as he maintained that community life “brought a sense of security and moral support so very necessary for all living far from home... International community brings with it a special joy as we come to realise the varied gifts and attitudes of each confrere.”

His pastoral attributes could be summed up by his nick name “cut the corners”. He was always quick on his feet and if he could cut the corner rather than go around it, he would. He was attached to the people and his life project was dedicated to the plight of AIDS victims. He quietly responded to those living with AIDS and other projects by sending money on a regular basis. You would often see him on the mobile phone, calling Uganda and catching up on the news. Uganda was very much part of his life and prayer.

On the 25th July 2001, Jim returned to Ireland to face his retirement. As the Provincial of Uganda wrote at the time “this is not just home leave but his retirement... This time he is serious”. I can imagine that Jim found this decision difficult. In 2002, there was a further correspondence whereby Jim requested to return to Uganda for a number of months but sadly his request was denied. As hard as the decision was to retire, Jim found himself making good contact with his family and friends in Ireland. This helped him to settle and in his own quiet manner he kept in contact with his family. He would on occasion pay them a visit but he was reluctant to invite them to his home in Templeogue. It was only when Jim fell sick that we realised how important he was to his family. They came to visit him and it was beautiful to see the love and deep sense of appreciation expressed by them towards Fr. James as they called him.

In mid August 2012, Jim began to deteriorate and was transferred to our local hospital where he spent seven weeks. As he became weaker over the weeks, it was obvious that Jim had little time to live. I stayed with him till the early morning and prayed the breviary with him and at that point I realised a deep sense of peace where he gave up the will to live. He died on the 28th September 2012. In the words of the hospital staff “this was a man of God”, a beautiful testimony to a person who dedicated his life to God.

His funeral Mass took place in the local Parish Church of St. Pius X on the 1st October 2012. He is buried in the Missionaries of Africa plot in Bohernabreena Cemetery, Dublin.

I leave the last word for Bishop Nkaijanabwo of Kasese Diocese, “We used to call him ‘sara makona’ that is ‘cut the corners’, likewise he was quick in loving and assisting people. Touching me personally, he was my teacher at the minor seminary, may the good Lord reward him for all his missionary labours and grant him Eternal Rest in Peace.”

Peter Joseph Cassidy

Father Sergio Castellan

1939 - - 2013

Sergio knew that he was seriously ill from lung cancer but he did not want to give in even in the final phase. Two heart attacks close to each other ended his struggle towards midnight on Saturday 15th February 2013. He was 73 years old.

Sergio was born in Valdobbiadene, in the Diocese of Padua, Italy on the 6th March 1939. His father, Antonio worked as a mechanic in a local factory and his mother, Bionotto Luigia, kept the home. He had two brothers and two sisters.

After primary school in the village, Sergio entered the seminary of Treviglio. He studied Philosophy in Parella from 1959 to 1961 before entering the novitiate in Gap, France (1961-1962). He studied Theology in Vals, near Le Puy in France from 1962 to 1966 where he took his Missionary Oath on the 18th June 1965. He was ordained priest in his home parish of Valdobbiadene on the 9th July 1966.

His years of formation were difficult for him as he was of a practical nature and not given much to intellectual matters. The result was that he often lost himself in manual work to the detriment of his priestly and human formation. He was very much aware of this and he acknowledged it when he wrote on the 25th Anniversary of his priestly ordination: “A great adventure is beginning. Like the prophet Jeremiah, I wanted to say to the Lord, ‘Ah Lord God, I do not know how to speak, I am too young’ and I am also without experience and I am afraid.” However, he added: “I feel the call of God very strongly in me and I am convinced that the grace of God will suffice as it was for St. Paul.”

Sergio could be quick tempered and brusque but he did not hold a grudge. He was attentive to others and enjoyed good relationships. He was high-spirited and loved to tell funny stories which made him a likable confrere.

After his ordination, Sergio was appointed to Castelfranco Veneto for promotion and vocational work. He was very conscientious in his work and happy to be a member of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. He liked to organise Mission Days in the parishes. He took part in work camps for youth, organised evenings for missionary promotion and he supplied books and items of African Art for sales of work in many places.

Finally, in September 1972, Sergio was able to leave for Africa. He was appointed to Mali. He studied Bambara at the Language Centre in Falaje. He was appointed curate to Kati Parish in the Diocese of Bamako. He did not stay there long but he was deeply marked by it and the people kept a good memory of him. Some years after he returned for good to Italy, he wrote: “I did not stay very long in Mali but I can confirm that my stay there was an enriching and touching experience. I felt a great joy to sense being fully a missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ as a member of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa.”
Sergio never enjoyed good health. Even during his novitiate he had had heart problems. The long periods of intense heat in Mali were difficult for him to put up with and exhausted him a great deal. Despite all this, Sergio enjoyed his missionary work, visiting villages in the bush and enjoying good relationships with simple people, especially the poorest and the sick. In Kati, the people gave him the nickname “Banabatow ka monpèri” (Father of the sick) and he was very proud of this title. Sergio was to remain only five years in Mali, but the catechists and the young people with whom he reforested the hill of Kati Mission, remembered him with affection.

In 1977, Sergio was recalled to Italy. After some medical treatment, he was appointed to Castelfranco for Missionary Promotion work and as bursar of the community. On 17th November 1986, he returned to Mali but had to be repatriated urgently after only a few weeks. Sergio suffered greatly not to have been able to remain in Mali. He wrote in his memoire: “It was the hardest and most difficult test of my life, to the extent that, even now after many years, I find it difficult to speak about.”

Sergio went to Treviglio in 1988 as bursar and then as procurator. He was always ready to give a helping hand for promotion and ministry in the neighbouring parishes. In 1993, he did the long retreat in Jerusalem and was appointed to the 1st Cycle in Verona. Even today, the people in the neighbourhood as well as the young people who passed through the First Cycle remember him with affection. He liked to spend time in the courtyard with children and young people as well as visiting the homes.

When the house in Verona was closed in June 1999, Sergio returned to Treviglio where he was to remain until the day of his death. He continued to work in the procure collecting stamps and sending parcels to the confreres in Africa right up to the end with no fuss. He was always helpful without asking anything in return. He was also available for ministry in the parishes (confessions and preaching) until he could no longer travel much or drive his car.

The last months of his life were very difficult for Sergio because of his illness and its side effects but also because he refused to accept the seriousness of his illness. On the morning of the 15th February 2013, the Doctor treating him sent him to hospital for some tests. Towards midnight, two heart attacks close to each other carried him away to heaven.

His earthy remains were transferred to the chapel in the house at Treviglio and remained there until the day of his funeral. For three days, many people came to pray at his coffin, a sign of the great affection with which he was held. His funeral took place on the 19th February in his home village.

Sergio, you were faithful to your missionary vocation and you offered your suffering as a humble servant of the Lord. Now as the Bambara people would say: “Ala ka i dayòrò suma i kòrò! (God give you a happy rest) Kà lahara lahara so suma i ye! (God welcome you into Paradise)”.

Vittorio Bonfanti

Father Harrie Mulders

1923 - - 2012

Harrie was born in Tilburg, the Netherlands, on the 14th September 1923. In view of becoming a missionary he received his formation in Sterksel, St.Charles near Boxtel, ’s-Heerenberg, Rossington Hall (England) and Monteviot in Scotland where he took the oath on the 30th of May 1950. He was ordained in the Parish Church of Galashiels (Scotland) on the 1st June 1950.

Harrie had a sound judgement and had a pleasant, cheerful disposition. He had a calm personality, was resolute and was a hard and methodical worker, a man of action. He was ever ready to render a service, and to oblige. An older brother was a Mill Hill missionary, and Harrie spent 2 years in their minor seminary before he joined us in Sterksel. In those days, he had some difficulty in following the studies.

In January 1952, he left for the diocese of Kigoma, Tanzania. He experienced his first earthquake the night he arrived in town. After some days, he left in the back of the Diocesan lorry for his first parish, Makere, “the nicest and most interesting of the diocese”. There he learned the local language and culture of the Ha people. Fortunately, the population of the whole diocese belonged to one ethnic group. He worked along with three other priests in pastoral work and building activities which included a sawmill, carpentry, brick making, and a large store for lime which they made in their own kiln. They had 180 new Christians that year. Those days the Catholics and Protestants were still competing to establish “bush schools”. The predecessors of Harrie had managed to snap up the most important villages. In December 1952, his Regional Superior wrote that he and others were full of praise for him, but he added that Harrie used a somewhat wide interpretation of the rules!

At the end of 1953, he was appointed to the minor seminary at Ujiji, to teach English, Latin and Geography. Latin required a lot of preparation, and this time he wanted to do better than in his student years. In between, he had to find time to learn the national language Swahili. He enjoyed the community but discovered that seminary life had nothing in common with parish life and that the students were quite different from rural youth. He sighed: “Give me the bush any time”.

On the 26th December 1955, Harrie went with the Rector, Fr. J. Steinkamp (+1981) and 40 students from Ujiji to Kaengesa, Diocese of Subawanga, to start a new common Minor Seminary there. They started in temporary buildings. In March 1956, the first group of Young Catholic Volunteers from the Netherlands arrived, in May, a second group: six young men full of enthusiasm and ideals. They laid the foundations and, after three months, a third of the buildings were ready. It was an experiment, which proved successful, showing how lay workers living and working with Catholic convictions and with sincerity, cheerfulness, and a readiness for self-sacrifice, could live and work with priests. It made an impression on the population.

In the beginning of 1957, Harrie returned to parish work, initially in Kigoma town. In 1958, he was in Kakonko as Parish Priest and in October 1960, he was Parish Priest in Mabamba where he stayed for 13 years. It was the time when lay people were becoming more involved in organising their fellow Christians. Initially, this was done by starting the Lay Apostolate and the Legion of Mary in all the village churches. Later on, these were replaced by Small Christian Communities and by Church Councils with a coordinating Parish Council. The pastoral role of the Catechists in this was of great importance, and consequently Harrie paid a lot of attention to them. It was the time of all sorts of seminars and study sessions!

In the beginning of the 70’s, the Government started its villagisation policy. People lived rather far from one another; one could not bring the services (schools, healthcare, and water) to them, so the people were brought to these services. Harrie and his fellow priests spent a lot of time and energy to explain to the people the benefits of it. In addition to the regular villages there were also the so called ‘Ujamaa’ villages, where the inhabitants had their own fields and where all worked together in the common fields and shared the profit, in accordance with the vision of the 1st President, Julius Nyerere. With 19 young people, Harrie started such an Ujamaa village and called it Nyabitaka. They built their own houses with a subsidy from Habitat. Nyerere came to have a look himself and saw Harrie personally. Nyabitaka developed and still exists.

In December 1973, he became the Parish Priest of Kasangezi and he was there for 12 years. When he arrived, it was one of those new villages, on both sides of the main road between Kasulu and Kigoma, and belonged to the former Marumba parish. Its parish centre was in the hills and hard to reach, hence one wanted to move it to Kasangezi. One of his predecessors, Frank Tryers (+ 1989), had made a start; he was living there in a grass hut, simpler still than the traditional ones, with a kerosene lamp. His confreres were scared stiff that he would get himself burned alive!

During his daily pastoral occupations, Harrie supervised the building of the parish church, the presbytery and the convent for the Burundi Missionary Sisters and their polyclinic with a maternity unit. His pastoral policy was a continuation of his last years in Mabamba, and he did that with great dedication. Kasangezi developed as a natural parish centre.

In September 1986, Harrie, then 63, went to replace a priest in Kakonko for a year. He went to Makere in September 1987 where he lived and worked for 6 years as a curate. In June 1993, when he was almost 70, he returned to the Netherlands for good. He became the Chaplain of the home for the aged in Heelsum in October, succeeding our deceased confrere Kees van Schijndel (+ 1993). In May 2000, he retired to our community in Vaassen, and he came to Dongen in July 2002. A few times a month he celebrated the Eucharist in a community for Brothers and in two communities of Sisters, where his homilies were appreciated. He loved watching soccer and cheerfully participated in the community services. He enjoyed his little drink, and when possible went for a daily ride on his servo-assisted bicycle or a walk with his stick.

There were three Tilburg-born confreres in the community, who had all lived and worked in Tanzania. It was nice to hear how they good-naturedly teased one another, or reminisced about the good old days in their town.

In April 2011, he moved to Heythuysen. When leaving, the superior said that he had been a real asset in the community; he was always ready to do a job, whether a pleasant one or not. In Heythuysen, he enjoyed his retirement until the summer of 2012 when a serious ailment was diagnosed. He declined quickly and died peacefully on the morning of October the 16th 2012. The Sector Delegate presided at his funeral on October the 19th, and we buried him in our cemetery.
“The Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.” (Mk. 16:20)

Marien van den Eijnden

 

Father Hans Brudny

1933 - - 2013

Hans was born on the 25th January 1933 in Gelsen­kirchen, Germany. His parents had five sons and four daughters. One of his brothers became a missionary in Chile.

Hans felt a missionary vocation at an early age. In 1947, he entered the Minor Seminary of the White Fathers in Rietberg. In 1954, he finished his secondary studies with the ‘Abitur’ in our school in Grosskrotzenburg. He did his philosophical studies in Trier, his novitiate in the USA and his Theological Studies in Ottawa (Canada). There he took his missionary oath on the 27th January 1960. He was ordained a priest on the 17th June 1960. His formators wrote that Hans made the best use of his formation; he was keen to learn and wanted to become a good priest. Soon his practical skills were discovered together with certain artistic gifts. Hans developed these abilities later in the mission when constructing functional and tastefully finished buildings.

Soon after his ordination and a home leave in Germany, Hans was happy to go to the Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania. On this first journey to Africa, he passed through Rome. He appreciated very much his short stay in Rome, where he was able to visit our Generalate and also attend a papal audience.

Hans began his missionary work in Kashozi, which was one of the biggest parishes of the Diocese of Bukoba. He learned the local language and became fully involved in pastoral work in an area with many Catholics. Soon his special vocation became apparent: very large parishes needed to be transformed into more manageable units. Hans began by opening outstations and worked at setting up new Parishes. In this way he brought the Church closer to the people. Three years after his arrival in Kashozi, he had already begun to build up a new parish in Ischwandini. He became the first parish priest of this community.

In 1968, Hans came on home leave to Germany. He was kept there for Missionary Promotion Work. Going from school to school and parish to parish, meeting new people all the time and trying to promote the African Mission was a big burden for him. He wrote to the Provincial that his vocation was in Africa and not Germany. However he completed his contract of three years.

After doing his duty in Germany, Hans once more threw himself wholeheartedly into missionary work in the Diocese of Bukoba. He was the Parish Priest of Ngote until 1977. In the Diocese of Bukoba, Christianity had already taken deep roots; the majority of the population was Christian, and there were many vocations to the priesthood and to religious life. Hans was happy to be a collaborator, and also a witness to the growth of the local Church in Africa.

The White Fathers gradually pulled their missionaries out of Bukoba Diocese, sending them to dioceses that were less developed. Hans moved to Mbeya Diocese in the south of Tanzania. In the parish of Vwawa he was able to show his zeal for primary evangelization. He wrote: “Mbeya is the complete opposite of Bukoba. There, they are about 80% Christian, whereas here they are only 8%. There, you find more than 100 indigenous priests, whereas, here, we have only 8. There, you have small parishes close to each other, each one having a few outstations only, whereas here you have very few parishes, many of them covering a large area. Whereas in Bukoba, missionary work proper is nearly completed, in Mbeya we are just beginning”. Soon after Hans had arrived in Vwawa, new Christian communities formed around nicely built chapels in the villages.

In 1981, Hans became the parish priest of Chunya, a parish that covered one of the largest territories in the whole of Tanzania. When Hans finished his stay there, he had not only opened many new outstations, but he had also founded two new parishes: Lupa and Kambikatoto.

Hans was the right person for primary evangelization. He was a zealous missionary and at the same time a good organizer. He not only built new chapels, but he also built up Christian communities. He was ready for great sacrifices in order to achieve his missionary goals. He was a genuine “bush-missionary” in the good sense of the word. He was full of energy, occasionally a bit rough with people, but a true pioneer. Sometimes, when he got malaria, he swallowed the medicine, sweated profusely, and was on his legs again the next day.

His efforts slowly affected his health. In 2000, Hans had a heart operation in Germany, but he was able to return to Tanzania. But two years later, he had to return to Germany for good. This was the beginning of a long way of the cross, as his physical and intellectual faculties diminished. Soon he was no longer able to speak, and he needed comprehensive care.

From the end of 2002 until his death, he stayed in Haigerloch, where his confreres took loving care of him. For ten years this active and energetic missionary had to carry the cross of frailty and dependency. It was on the 26th of January 2013 when His Redeemer called him home. Hans was buried in the cemetery of the White Fathers in Haigerloch on the 31st of January 2013.

Rolf Wigger

 

Father Emilio Escudero Yangüela

1935 - - 2012

Emilio was born on the 21st February 1935 in the city of Leòn (Spain). He was baptised on the 5th March in the Parish of St-Jean de Regla and was confirmed on the 5th June 1945 at the age of 10 years. He entered the Junior Seminary of Logrono because his mother was from La Rioja and his father was a policeman based in Logroño.

After his Philosophical studies, Emilio left for Maison-Carreé (Algeria) to do his novitiate where he received the habit on the 27th September 1954. He took his Missionary Oath on the 17th June 1958 in Carthage (Tunisia), the eve of his ordination to the sub-diaconate. He was ordained Deacon on the 11th October the same year also at Carthage and on the 2nd February 1959, he was ordained to the priesthood in Madrid.

He took the boat in Marseilles on the 10th October 1959 en route to Mali. He was appointed to Sanzana mission in the Diocese of Sikasso. He was to stay there until 1964 when he returned to Spain for his home leave. He was appointed to Spain for Missionary Promotion work and spent two years in Barcelona followed by two years in Seville. He returned to Mali in 1968 and, on the 3rd November, we find him as curate in Sanzana. Six years later he was appointed Parish Priest.

On the 1st October 1978, he left for Abidjan to study at the Institut Catholique d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ICAO). He wanted to expand his ethnographic and linguistic studies on the Sénoufo people who lived in an area spread out over three countries of West Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast.

On his return from Abidjan, he was appointed Parish Priest of Dyou in the Diocese of Sikasso. In September 1984, he took part in the Session/Retreat in Jerusalem. In 1985, he studied the Bambara language at the language centre of Faladyé before returning to Dyou. He remained there until his home leave in Spain in April 1989.

Emilio was appointed curate to the Cathedral Parish of Sikasso on his return in October 1989. He spent a year in Sanzana before returning once again to Sikasso in October 1994, but this time as curate with special responsibility for the Sénoufo people.

Emilio passed three more years in Sikasso. He was asked to investigate the possibility of setting up a new Parish among the Sénoufo people. The new Parish was set up in Fanterela about 40 km. from Sikasso. He was appointed Parish Priest and was to stay there until 1st November 2000. He did a sabbatical year at the Africanum in Madrid and returned to Sikasso on the 16th March 2002. He was appointed to the Wayerema Centre (for protection of adolescent girls) in Sikasso and devoted himself to the study of Sénoufo culture. In 2004, he founded the “Centre de Recherche pour la Sauvegarde et Promotion de la Culture Sénoufo”, firstly at Sikasso and subsequently at Bobo-Dioulasso. He remained there until the 15th September 2012 when he returned on home leave to Valencia. He stayed with his sister, Maria. It was there that he died suddenly as a result of a brain haemorrhage on the 2nd November 2012 at the age of 77 years of which 54 of missionary life in Mali and Spain.

Camilo Ochandorena, M.Afr., a colleague who worked with him in Mali, testified: “Emilio strived before anything else to be a disciple of Jesus Christ among the Sénoufo people. This meant that he be close to the people because friendship is very demanding. To be a witness to Jesus Christ meant for him to be with the people and be for the people. He composed songs in the manner of traditional African songs based on the Sénoufo musical instruments. His choral work “Annoncer le Message” with its beautiful dancing was performed on a number of occasions, notably at the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of priesthood of Bishop Jean-Marie Cissé as well as on the occasion of the Centenary of Evangelisation in Mali.”
Emilio’s Bishop observed that the inculturation of the liturgy achieved by Fr. Escudero was the point of no return for Sénoufo liturgical expression. In Abidjan, Emilio had taken as the subject of his thesis: “Le sacrifice Katyire sénoufo et l’Eucharistie chrétienne.”

Emilio was a hard worker, something of a poet and a terrible book-keeper. Luckily he was also an ascetic! A young African confrere, Didasio Mwanza, wrote: “I remember him as a confrere who was full of good will, zeal and commitment.” Alfred Diallo, the catechist at Sanzana who was a great friend of Emilio declared: “Emilio was like the rain that makes grain grow. He was more Sénoufo than we were ourselves. He helped us to recognise our roots, our history and our language. That is very important.”

Fr. Manolo Gallego, M.Afr. who knew him well since 1974 remarked: “Emilio’s heritage is a big challenge for us, because it is a pressing invitation to continue his work. In his Centre, he has left us trunks full of cassettes, photos and copybooks. Who will continue his work?”

The funeral Mass took place in Valencia on the 3rd November 2012 attended by confreres from Madrid and Benicassim. His ashes rest in the chapel of the residence of the Missionaries of Africa in Benicassim near Castellon.

Mrs. Lourdes Meléndsez the Spanish Ambassador in Mali, wrote a beautiful letter to the Provincial of PAO and to the Spanish ‘Provincial’ in which she said: “Emilio had a warm personality, was full of goodness and generosity. A giant baobab tree has fallen. We are proud of the work he achieved especially the founding of the “Centre pour la Sauvegarde de la Culture sénoufo”, one of the most important cultural and tourist attractions in the Sikasso Region.”

Bishop Jean-Baptiste Tyama of Sikasso Diocese concelebrated a thanksgiving Eucharist on the 10th November with about 20 priests. Many friends came from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. Christians and non-Christians alike came together to celebrate his life. The final celebration was in Bamako where, at the request of the Spanish Ambassador, the White Fathers celebrated a Mass on the 24th November 2012.

Antonio Molina