Address by Archbishop Nashenda OMI
President of IMBISA
at the opening of the Golden Jubilee celebrations
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Your Most Reverend Excellencies Archbishops and Bishops
Reverend Priests, Men and Women Religious
Dear Lay Men and Women, Young People, Adolescents and Children
Civil and Government Authorities
Social Communications Agents (Media)
Men and women of good will
It is with great joy and gratitude that we gather here today to launch the beginning of the IMBISA Golden Jubilee celebrations under the theme: “IMBISA Golden Jubilee: A synodal journey, nourished by compassion and blossoming in faith as pilgrims of hope”. As we embark on this momentous occasion, guided by the words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), we are reminded of the path that brought us to this significant milestone.
For fifty years, the IMBISA family has been a beacon of hope and unity, promoting collaboration and solidarity among our member countries. This Jubilee celebration is a testament to our members' enduring commitment to uphold the values of compassion, faith and truth in all we do.
On the other hand the IMBISA family is a testimony of Collegiality emphasized by Second Vatican Council, which affirm that “Collegial union also appears in the mutual relations of each Bishop with the particular churches and with the universal Church… This variety of local churches converging towards unity, more clearly manifests the catholicity of the undivided Church” (Lumen Gentium, 23).
The Synod on Synodality convened by Pope Francis under the theme: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission is a moment of grace that the Lord, in his goodness and mercy, provides us with, to solidify our beautiful journey that of walking together as a family on pilgrimage.
As we reflect on our path so far and look to the future, let us continue to walk together in solidarity, guided by the light of Christ's teachings. The proverb that says ‘if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together’ is well known. And we want to go far, united in the love of the risen Lord, the Good Shepherd.
Our Region faces many challenges and problems, some caused by nature and others by human beings themselves. Just as an example, on the one hand, we have the problem of drought that exposes many people to hunger, frequent floods and tropical depressions that cause a lot of suffering to our people, the phenomena that invite us to take seriously the teachings of Pope Francis in Laudato Si and Laudate Deum. On the other hand, we have the problem of migration, especially forced migration, a violation of the most basic human rights, corruption, conflicts and wars, acts that prove that living the teachings of Fratelli Tutti are still a dream or a wish that is still far to be realized. These challenges only reveal to us that the jubilee year invites us to take it as an opportunity that the Lord gives us to increase our faith, hope and trust in him who told us ‘In the world you will have tribulations; but have confidence, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).
I hereby call upon all governments and states in our IMBISA Region to join us in this noble cause, for as the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.” May this jubilee year be a time of renewal, growth and blessings for us all as we strive to fulfill our mission with love and dedication. With hearts full of gratitude and enthusiasm, let us officially begin IMBISA's Golden Jubilee celebrations, knowing that with faith as our foundation, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.
With these few words, I now declare IMBISA Jubilee officially opened.
Manzini, 8 May 2024
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Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda OMI
Archbishop of Windhoek and President of
IMBISA
