Os clérigos de toda a África dizem unanimemente que estão tristes com a morte de um deles, o cardeal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, que havia sido bispo de Wa em Gana. O clérigo ganense, elevado a cardeal pelo Papa Francisco em 27 de agosto, morreu no domingo no hospital Gemelli, em Roma, aos 63 anos. ele foi elevado ao Colégio dos Cardeais. Sua morte deixou uma Igreja africana chocada, triste e perturbada, mas também confortada pela esperança da ressurreição.
Em uma declaração de condolências enviada em 27 de novembro ao Crux, a Associação das Conferências Episcopais Membros da África Oriental, AMECEA, expressou “choque e tristeza” com a morte do Presidente do SECAM, ou seja, o Simpósio das Conferências Episcopais da África e Madagascar.
“Sua ampla experiência missionária e administrativa como Superior Geral dos amplamente celebrados Missionários da África, que são os primeiros evangelizadores de muitos países na AMECEA, combinou tão bem com sua humildade e espírito trabalhador”, disse o comunicado. “Estes são os ingredientes missionários de que o SECAM tanto necessita, sobretudo para continuar o caminho sinodal a nível continental”. A mensagem de condolências dizia que “toda a família de Deus sob o SECAM [está] de luto pela perda que esta morte trouxe a todos nós”.
“Neste momento em que a escuridão envolveu nossos corações e mentes, não é fácil para a Conferência Episcopal Católica de Gana, a Diocese de WA, os Missionários da África, o Secretariado do SECAM e, de fato, toda a família católica entender a vontade de Deus. ”, dizia.
No mesmo sentido, o primeiro vice-presidente do SECAM, cardeal Fridolin Ambongo, da República Democrática do Congo, falou sobre a “tristeza e a dor” que sentia após a perda do cardeal, mas também sobre “a esperança da ressurreição .”
“Após quase dois meses de internação no Hospital Santo Spirito de Roma, o Cardeal Richard foi transferido no sábado, 15 de outubro de 2022, para o Hospital Universitário/ Policlínica Agostino Gemelli, onde recebeu alta na sexta-feira, 18 de novembro de 2022.”
“Ele ficou no Generalato dos Missionários da África (Padres Brancos), sua família religiosa em Roma, para descansar e recuperar as forças. Surpreendentemente, sua saúde se deteriorou e ele foi levado de volta ao hospital, onde foi chamado para o lar de Deus”, disse Ambongo. O falecido cardeal nasceu em 1959 em Gana. Ele ocupou cargos de responsabilidade na Igreja, servindo como o primeiro Superior Geral Africano dos Missionários da África (“Padres Brancos”). Em 2016, foi nomeado Bispo de Wa em Gana. Em 27 de agosto de 2022, ele criou o terceiro cardeal nascido em Gana. Em 30 de julho de 2022, foi eleito Presidente do Simpósio das Conferências Episcopais da África e Madagascar (SECAM). Ambongo disse que os muitos cargos de responsabilidade que Baawobr ocupou na igreja permitiram aos cristãos experimentar “seu estilo fraterno e amigo de viver e trabalhar”.
“Sua Eminência era realmente um pastor de mente aberta, uma pessoa de grande empatia e, acima de tudo, um homem de Deus.” Ele disse que a Igreja na África e em Madagascar, bem como a Igreja Universal, “perderam um grande e devoto clérigo, um servo abnegado e um bom pastor”.
“Em nome dos membros da Igreja, Família de Deus na África e nas Ilhas, expressamos nossas sinceras condolências à sua família biológica, à diocese de Wa, à Conferência dos Bispos Católicos de Gana e à sua família religiosa”, disse Ambongo. . O bispo nigeriano da diocese de Oyo, Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, que também é presidente do Comitê Episcopal Pan-Africano para as Comunicações Sociais (CEPACS) e membro do Dicastério para a Comunicação do Vaticano, disse que Baawobr “injetou um novo dinamismo” à Igreja africana.
“O Cardeal Richard Kuuia Baawobr foi um símbolo de grande esperança para a Igreja na África… Quando Sua Eminência foi eleito pelos Bispos do SECAM na Assembléia de Accra, Gana, sua alegria pela aceitação injetou um novo dinamismo na vida da Igreja na África. Sendo um prelado sempre sorridente, ele exalava confiança e positividade. Todos ficaram entusiasmados com o fato de que algo bom começaria a acontecer em um novo nível na África”, disse Badejo. Badejo disse ao Vatican News que, mesmo quando a morte acenou para o cardeal, seu instinto de servir continuou a movê-lo.
“Tive a sorte e o privilégio de ver o cardeal Richard alguns dias antes de ele realmente falecer. Ele estava hospedado na Casa dos Missionários da África, em Roma. Embora ele parecesse frágil, seu humor estava muito alto. Fiquei comovido com seu semblante positivo e otimista, e ele me disse que estava bastante ansioso para voltar ao trabalho para que as designações que tínhamos em mãos fossem concluídas. Tenho certeza de que ele estará orando por nós lá do céu.”
“O SECAM terá que seguir em frente sem seu amado novo presidente. O trabalho deve continuar com ele do outro lado. Sei que seu sorriso e otimismo permanecerão conosco por muito tempo e manterão o SECAM funcionando”, disse o prelado nigeriano. O Papa Francisco se juntou na terça-feira ao clero africano para se despedir do padre falecido.
“De bom grado uno-me aos fiéis na oração para que nosso misericordioso Pai conceda a este sábio e gentil pastor a recompensa de seu trabalho e o acolha na luz e na paz do céu”, disse Francisco em um telegrama dirigido à família do cardeal, ao Missionários da África de que fez parte, ao clero, religiosos e leigos da Diocese de Wa. O falecido cardeal nasceu em 1959, ingressou na Sociedade dos Missionários da África em 1981, fez o juramento missionário em 5 de dezembro de 1986, no St Edward’s College, em Londres, e foi ordenado sacerdote em Gana em 18 de julho de 1987.
Le correspondant de RECOWACERAO NEW AGENCY, RECONA en poste au siège local des médias d’information a rapporté que le clergé à travers l’Afrique pleure douloureusement la mort du nouveau cardinal du Ghana qui était également le président du SECAM, un organisme de coordination réunissant tous les évêques en Afrique. Élu comme nouveau président de cet organe, notre correspondant au Ghana a rapporté plus tôt cette année qu’il avait juré d’unir l’église en Afrique.
Les religieux de toute l’Afrique se disent unanimement attristés par le décès de l’un des leurs, le cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, qui avait été évêque de Wa au Ghana. L’ecclésiastique ghanéen, qui a été élevé au rang de cardinal par le pape François le 27 août, est décédé dimanche à l’hôpital Gemelli de Rome à l’âge de 63 ans. Il avait été hospitalisé pour des problèmes cardiaques et n’a pas pu participer à l’événement du Vatican auquel il fut élevé au Collège des cardinaux. Sa disparition a laissé une Église africaine choquée, attristée et désemparée, mais aussi réconfortée par l’espoir de la résurrection.
Dans une déclaration de condoléances du 27 novembre envoyée à Crux, l’Association des Conférences épiscopales membres d’Afrique de l’Est, AMECEA, a exprimé “le choc et la tristesse” suite au décès du président du SCEAM, c’est-à-dire le Symposium des Conférences épiscopales d’Afrique et de Madagascar.
“Sa vaste expérience missionnaire et administrative en tant que Supérieur général des très célèbres Missionnaires d’Afrique qui sont les premiers évangélisateurs de nombreux pays de l’AMECEA s’est si bien mélangée à son humilité et à son esprit de travail”, indique le communiqué. “Ce sont les ingrédients missionnaires dont le SCEAM a grandement besoin, en particulier alors que nous poursuivons le voyage synodal au niveau continental”. Le message de condoléances disait que “toute la famille de Dieu sous SECAM [est] en deuil de la perte que cette mort nous a tous apportée”.
“En ce moment où les ténèbres ont englouti nos cœurs et nos esprits, il n’est pas facile pour la Conférence épiscopale catholique du Ghana, le diocèse de WA, les Missionnaires d’Afrique, le Secrétariat du SCEAM et en fait toute la famille catholique de comprendre la volonté de Dieu. », lit-on.
Dans le même ordre d’idées, le premier vice-président du SCEAM, le cardinal Fridolin Ambongo de la République démocratique du Congo, a parlé du « chagrin et de la douleur » qu’il ressentait après la perte du cardinal, mais aussi de « l’espoir de la résurrection .”
“Après près de deux mois d’hospitalisation à l’hôpital Santo Spirito de Rome, le cardinal Richard a été transféré le samedi 15 octobre 2022 à l’hôpital universitaire/policlinique Agostino Gemelli, d’où il est sorti le vendredi 18 novembre 2022”.
« Il est resté au Généralat des Missionnaires d’Afrique (Pères Blancs), sa famille religieuse à Rome, pour se reposer et reprendre des forces. Étonnamment, sa santé s’est détériorée et il a été ramené à l’hôpital où il a été rappelé à Dieu », a déclaré Ambongo. Feu Cardinal est né en 1959 au Ghana. Il a occupé des postes de responsabilité dans l’Église, en tant que premier supérieur général africain des Missionnaires d’Afrique («Pères Blancs»). En 2016, il a été nommé évêque de Wa au Ghana. Le 27 août 2022, il a créé le troisième cardinal né au Ghana. Le 30 juillet 2022, il a été élu Président du Symposium des Conférences épiscopales d’Afrique et de Madagascar (SECAM). Ambongo a déclaré que les nombreux postes de responsabilité que Baawobr occupait dans l’église permettaient aux chrétiens de faire l’expérience de “son style de vie et de travail fraternel et amical”.
“Son Eminence était vraiment un pasteur large d’esprit, une personne avec une grande empathie, et surtout, un homme de Dieu.” Il a déclaré que l’Église d’Afrique et de Madagascar ainsi que l’Église universelle “ont perdu un grand et pieux homme d’église, un serviteur désintéressé et un bon berger”.
“Au nom des membres de l’Église, Famille de Dieu en Afrique et dans les îles, nous exprimons nos sincères condoléances à sa famille biologique, au diocèse de Wa, à la Conférence des évêques catholiques du Ghana et à sa famille religieuse”, a déclaré Ambongo. . L’évêque nigérian du diocèse d’Oyo, Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, qui est également président du Comité épiscopal panafricain pour les communications sociales (CEPACS) et membre du Dicastère pour la communication du Vatican, a déclaré que Baawobr “a insufflé un nouveau dynamisme” à l’Église africaine.
« Le cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr était un symbole de grande espérance pour l’Église en Afrique… Lorsque Son Éminence a été élu par les évêques du SCEAM lors de l’Assemblée à Accra, au Ghana, sa joie à l’acceptation a injecté un nouveau dynamisme dans la vie de l’Église. en Afrique. Étant un prélat toujours souriant, il respirait la confiance et la positivité. Tout le monde était encouragé par le fait que quelque chose de bien allait commencer à se produire à un nouveau niveau en Afrique », a déclaré Badejo. Badejo a déclaré à Vatican News que même si la mort faisait signe au cardinal, son instinct de servir continuait de le motiver.
« J’ai eu la chance et le privilège de voir le cardinal Richard quelques jours avant son décès. Il séjournait à la Maison des Missionnaires d’Afrique à Rome. Bien qu’il ait l’air fragile, son humeur était très bonne. J’ai été touché par son air positif et optimiste, et il m’a dit qu’il avait très hâte de revenir au travail afin que les missions que nous avions en main soient terminées. Je suis sûr qu’il priera pour nous du haut des cieux.
« Le SECAM devra aller de l’avant sans son nouveau président bien-aimé. Le travail doit continuer avec lui de l’autre côté. Je sais que son sourire et son optimisme resteront longtemps avec nous et feront avancer le SECAM », a déclaré le prélat nigérian. Le pape François s’est joint mardi au clergé africain pour faire ses adieux au prêtre décédé.
“Je me joins volontiers aux fidèles pour prier afin que notre Père miséricordieux accorde à ce pasteur sage et doux la récompense de ses travaux et l’accueille dans la lumière et la paix du ciel”, a déclaré François dans un télégramme adressé à la famille du cardinal, au Missionnaires d’Afrique dont il faisait partie, au clergé, religieux et laïcs du Diocèse de Wa. Le regretté cardinal est né en 1959, a rejoint la Société des Missionnaires d’Afrique en 1981, a prêté le serment missionnaire le 5 décembre 1986 au St Edward’s College de Londres et a été ordonné prêtre au Ghana le 18 juillet 1987.
The Correspondent of RECOWACERAO NEW AGENCY, RECONA stationed at the local headquarters of the news media has reported that the Clergy across Africa are painfully mourning the death of the new cardinal from Ghana who was also the president of SECAM, an umbrella body uniting all the bishops in Africa. Elected as the new president of this body, our Correspondent in Ghana reported earlier this year that he vowed to unite the church in Africa.
Clerics across Africa unanimously say they are saddened by the demise of one of their own, Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, who had been the bishop of Wa in Ghana. The Ghanaian cleric, who was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, died Sunday in Rome’s Gemelli hospital at the age of 63. He had been hospitalized with heart problems and couldn’t take part in the Vatican event at which he was elevated to the College of Cardinals. His demise has left an African Church shocked, saddened, and distraught, but also comforted by the hope of the resurrection.
In a November 27 condolence statement sent to Crux, the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa, AMECEA, expressed “shock and sadness” at the passing of the President of SECAM, meaning the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
“His wide missionary and administrative experience as Superior General of the widely celebrated Missionaries of Africa who are first evangelizers of many countries in AMECEA blended so well with his humility and hardworking spirit,” the statement said. “These are the missionary ingredients which SECAM very much needs especially as we continue with the synodal journey at the continental level.” The condolence message said that “the entire family of God under SECAM [is] mourning the loss that this death has brought on us all.”
“At this time when darkness has engulfed our hearts and minds, it is not easy for the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Ghana, the Diocese of WA, the Missionaries of Africa, the Secretariat of SECAM, and indeed the entire Catholic family to understand God’s will,” it read.
In a similar vein, the First Vice-President of SECAM, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo, talked about the “sorrow and pain” he was feeling after the loss of the cardinal, but also about “the hope of the resurrection.”
“After almost two months of hospitalization in the Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome, Cardinal Richard was transferred on Saturday, 15th October 2022, to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital/ Policlinic, where he was discharged on Friday, 18th November 2022.”
“He stayed at the Generalate of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), his religious family in Rome, in order to rest and regain his strength. Surprisingly, his health has deteriorated and he was taken back to the hospital where he was called home to God,” Ambongo said. The late Cardinal was born in 1959 in Ghana. He held positions of responsibility in the Church, serving as the first African Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa (“White Fathers”). In 2016, he was appointed Bishop of Wa in Ghana. On August 27, 2022, he created the third Ghanaian-born Cardinal. On 30th July 2022, he was elected President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Ambongo said the many posts of responsibility Baawobr held in the church enabled Christians to experience “his fraternal and friendship style of living and working.”
“His Eminence was truly a broadminded pastor, a person with great empathy, and above all, a man of God.” He said the Church in Africa and Madagascar as well as the Universal Church “have lost a great and devout churchman, a selfless servant and a good Shepherd.”
“On behalf of the members of the Church, Family of God in Africa and the Islands, we express our heartfelt condolences to his biological family, to the diocese of Wa, to the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and to his religious family,” Ambongo said. Nigerian Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, who is also President of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) and a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, said Baawobr “injected a new dynamism” to the African Church.
“Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr was a symbol of great hope to the Church in Africa… When His Eminence was elected by the Bishops of SECAM at the Assembly in Accra, Ghana, his joy at the acceptance injected a new dynamism into the life of the Church in Africa. Being an ever-smiling prelate, he exuded confidence and positivity. Everybody was encouraged that something good was going to begin to happen at a new level in Africa,” Badejo said. Badejo told Vatican News that even as death beckoned on the Cardinal, his instinct to serve continued to drive him.
“I had the good fortune and privilege of seeing Cardinal Richard a few days before he actually passed away. He was staying at the Missionaries of Africa House in Rome. Though he was looking frail, his mood was very high. I was touched by his positive, optimistic mien, and he told me that he was quite eager to come back to work so that the assignments we had at hand would be completed. I am sure that he will be praying for us from heaven above.”
“SECAM will have to forge ahead without its beloved new President. The work must go on with him on the other side. I know his smile and optimism will stay with us for a long time and keep SECAM going,” the Nigerian prelate said. Pope Francis on Tuesday joined the African clergy in bidding farewell to the departed priest.
“I willingly join the faithful in praying that our merciful Father may grant to this wise and gentle pastor the reward of his labors and welcome him into the light and peace of heaven,” Francis said in a telegram addressed to the Cardinal’s family, to the Missionaries of Africa of which he was part, to the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Wa. The late cardinal was born in 1959, joined the Society of Missionaries of Africa in 1981, took the missionary oath on December 5, 1986, at St Edward’s College in London, and was ordained a priest in Ghana on July 18, 1987.
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