(ANS – Sakania)–  At Sakania, in the Salesian Province of Central Africa, there were various ceremonies and activities on 17 and 18 August to celebrate the opening of the centenary year of the Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi.

On the morning of 17 August, at the grotto of St Dominic, Bishop Gaston Ruvezi, SDB, Bishop of the Diocese, together with some priests and the head of the centenary commission, took part in a live television broadcast transmitted by two local stations.

A football tournament was held in the early afternoon, with the final refereed by Fr Jean Claude Ngoy, Provincial of AFC. The Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region, Fr Guillermo Basañes, presided at the awarding of prizes.

Groups of young people, including scouts, together with some Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and some Salesians, decorated the front of the Church, and later in the evening they joined the invited guests in praying the rosary.

On 18 August, the authorities invited for the official celebration of the opening of the centenary year arrived. They included Mr Mumba Gama and his wife, representing the Governor and his wife, Deputy Kilufa from the national parliament, a senator of Sakania origin, a provincial deputy, the chief of the local tribe, representatives of other Christian communities in Sakania, the Superior General of the “Aumoniers du travail”, and the Superiors of the congregations working in the Diocese.

The procession to the Church of St Dominic Savio began at 9.10 with the music of “Kiro” and a choir from Zambia. When they reached the Church, Bishop Ruvezi presided at the Eucharist. Concelebrants included Bishop Fulgence Muteba of the Diocese of Kilwa-Kasenga, Fr Basañes and the Superior General of the “Aumoniers”.  The first reading was delivered in Kibemba, the second in Swahili and the Gospel in French.

During his homily, he spoke about the need for thanksgiving, about deepening the faith, about gratitude and a radical living of the gospel. He also emphasized the importance of the centenary of the Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi.

In a symbolic gesture, Fr Kilonge, the first priest of the Diocese, presented Bishop Ruvezi with a key with which he opened the door of the Church of St Dominic Savio, and introduced the most significant events of this centenary year. The representative of the Governor thanked all who have worked and those working at present in the diocese of Sakania-Kipushi.

Published 27/08/2013