The Superior General, Rev. Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, visited this international Tunisian mission. In this international mission of ours, expanded to include Sousse in 2016, our first presence dates back to 2011. Our first mission is to La Goulette. One of the main challenges of this international Tunisian mission has always been “the instability” of its members. Indeed, in these eight years of its existence it has seen many missionaries, some of which, after only a few months, abandoned it, others after only a year, others a little more but so far those who have done more than three years are only two: Firmin MOLAMBALO (of Congolese origin but member of the Province of France) and Narcisse DJIRAMBETE YOTOBU (Chadian by birth but member of the Vice Province of Cameron).
The reason for this missionary instability? Tunisia is a purely Muslim country. On paper it is a secular state that allows religious practice for all confessions, but, I am not sure if it corresponds to concrete experience. However, it must be recognized that it is a mission with very particular missionary features. It is a missionary presence that demands a lot of prudence, attention and readiness for a new style of missionary presence in a Muslim country. I would also say that it is an art to be learned on the spot with much intelligence, prudence, patience and good will. All this has negatively influenced the stability of our missionaries in this land.
During this brief visit, the Superior General was able to meet the Bishop of Tunis, Mgr Ilario Antoniazzi; His Vicar General, Fr. Nicolas, two of our missionaries (because the third one was on vacation); with all the Daughters of Charity present in the Tunisian territory (Tunis and Sfax).
Zeracristos Yosief, cm
General Assistant
