Africa has strong presence at the International Eucharistic Congress

(Vatican Radio) Vatican Radio has been speaking to several delegates from Africa at the 51st International Eucharist Congress (IEC) taking place in Cebu, Philippines.

Father Justin Matepa is the National Pastoral Secretary for the Bishops Conference of Zambia. He said the culture of encounter being experienced in Cebu can serve as an example for his own country.

“We have a variance of cultures, ‘intra’ but also in relation with those who have come in from other countries,” he said.

“But I think the big challenge always is the ‘intra’ dialogue that has to be there” – continued Father Matepa –  “Among us are different languages – tribes, if you want to call them – and sometimes the alignment that comes with the political affiliations based on that is a big challenge.”

He said the religious situation is also varied.

Listen to the interview by Seàn-Patrick Lovett with Msgr. Maurus Kakuru Kantana and Fr. Justin Matepa:

“At the same time, Zambia is a country with a variety of Christian denominations,” Father Matepa said.

“There are 15 million people, and only about 25% Catholic. We are talking about an array of so many: Pentecostals, Mainline Protestant Churches…and even in the families, we need to dialogue,” he told Vatican Radio.

“In my country, even in one family, you will find Pentecostals, Anglicans, Methodists, Catholics, divided like that” – he continued –  “But you have to live under one roof…and also within the community. It is a challenge, but at the same time we have been trying. Religiously, I think it has been very peaceful, but I think politically it has been a little bit more of a challenge.”

Another African priest attending the IEC is Msgr. Maurus Kakuru Kantana, the Vicar General of the diocese of Windhoek, Namibia.

He his local Church, even though in a small country on the southwestern part of Africa, is multi-cultural.

“All people, you can find them there. Even the Filipinos. We have even in my parish a big community of the Filipinos,” Msgr. Kantana told Vatican Radio.

He said the people at the IEC in the Philippines were surprised to find this out.

“They were really happy to hear that,” he said.