Jesuits of Eastern Africa
Misionero jesuita de la India,
FR. Francis Rodrigues es el administrador de la comunidad de Pedro Arrupe en Nairobi,
Kenia, un centro de ambos se retiró como activo jesuitas de África oriental.
Él habló a Radio Vaticana:
Indian Jesuit missionary, Fr. Francis Rodrigues
is the administrator of the Pedro Arrupe Community in Nairobi, Kenya, a centre
for both retired as well as active Jesuits of Eastern Africa. Hailing from southern India’s Mangalore city,
the 77-year old Jesuit priest came to Kenya in 1978, before the establishment
of the Jesuit Province of Eastern Africa in Nairobi in 1986, comprising Kenya,
Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Sudan. Last week, in the first of a 2-part
interview, Fr. Rodrigues briefly described how missionaries from various parts
of the world form a truly international Jesuit community there. Speaking about the large Catholic community
in East Africa, he explained that Catholic and traditional Protestant Churches
are losing their faithful to the vibrant and participatory style of worship and
prayer of the Evangelicals and Pentecostals.
He also said that Pope Francis, who is visiting Kenya, Uganda and the
Central African Republic end of this month, is extremely popular among
Africans. A feature of African society
that Fr. Rodrigues finds very fascinating is that a child is born not to a
couple but to a family, a clan or a village that assumes full responsibility of
the child even when parents are missing.
He said, the Catholic Church of Eastern Africa that runs numerous
seminaries, educational institutions and social services, is vibrant and
growing with many local vocations. Well today, in the final part of this
interview, we asked Fr. Francis Rodrigues about the various apostolates that
the Jesuits of Eastern Africa are engaged in.
Robin Gomes RV
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