BICAM RE-LAUNCH THE BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE IN AFRICA

In order to attain its stated vision of evangelizing the whole of Africa and Islands, Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) fulfils its mission through Commission for Evangelization which coordinates and animates the propagation of the Christian faith in Africa and fosters networking and collaboration among the agents of Evangelization on the continent. It is responsible for matters of doctrinal, moral and pastoral nature which are studied and acted upon in the light of divine revelation and the traditions of the Universal Church, from an African perspective.

Biblical Center for Africa and Madagascar (BICAM) based in Nairobi, Kenya is one of the vibrant departments under the Commission for Evangelization with the aim of making information concerning the Biblical Apostolate available to the Christian faithful as well as making the Word of God known, loved and lived in the continent of Africa. The Head of department, Fr. Albert Ngengi Mundele has organized a Seminar on Re-Launching the Biblical Apostolate in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya from 19–21 January 2023.The participants were Bible scholars and experts including bishops, priests and religious. During the two-day workshop, the participants shared their experiences on the biblical apostolate through group discussions and conferences.

Fr. Raphael Simbine, Secretary General of SECAM in his welcoming address noted the importance of re-launching the Biblical Apostolate in all of Africa and its islands and encouraged them to bring out the best participatory spirit in them. He also pointed out the extent to which the Africa’s participation in the 10th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation in Argentina in 2023 would be beneficial.

Most Rev. Lucio Andrice Muandula, 2^nd Vice President & President of Evangelization Commission of SECAM did not miss words in sharing some Strategies for Re-launching the Biblical Apostolate in Africa by making reference to some biblical texts including but not limited to: Acts 8:26-40, Mt 28:19-20.

Limited resources, Analphabetism in the rural areas of Africa and lack of requisite cultural knowledge of the indigenous people by some priests and religious men and women in some parts of the continent were identified as major challenges among others in carrying out effectively and efficiently the noble pastoral work.

The learned participants proposed some workable suggestions notably among them are : The five methods of late Cardinal Richard (Bible study and sharing , Lection Divina, The 7steps of Lumko, How does scripture speak to the daily realities of people’s lives, and From the people to the bible), Revision of Curriculum with Small Christian Communities/Movements, Children, Youth, Intellectuals, Non-Christians as target and also embarking on a Capacity building of the ministers of the biblical apostolate and Making the bible the heart of our preaching and catechesis(A deep initiation to the bible and to the faith).

A good Communication Strategy was adopted thus the use of digital and social media tools in addition to the already-existing traditional and print media.

A Symbolic Act of Enthronement of The Bible was performed by Sr Helga and Rev. Fr. Michael Mensah after a profound reflection on the biblical passage from the book of Nehemiah 8: 1-11. This “Ritual of the Enthronement of the Bible” is of great sense and significant. Bible Enthronement was inspired by Vatican II that says that Jesus is present in His Word (the Bible) just as He is present in the Eucharist, this practice of Enthroning the Bible (Word) in effect presenting the Bible as King as Christ our Lord.

Most Rev. Mathieu MADEGA, Vice President of Catholic Biblical Federation (CFB) presented to the participants the invitation letter and informed them about the agenda and the tentative program of the upcoming 10^th Plenary Assembly of CFB in Argentina. The venue and the dates as well were communicated to the participants, and he exhorted every Episcopal conference to send a delegate to the Assembly. Participants deliberated in groups of linguisticsto and suggested some points about the biblical apostolate which will be presented at the inter-continental Plenary Assembly of CBF in Argentina.

NB: See the cloud link of SECAM for the letter and the program of the 10^th Plenary Assembly of Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF).