Page 26 - Reflexions of African Bishops and Priests

“All the Days of My Life, I Will Bless God

for Putting Social Credit on My Path”

Homilies of Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly

Here are excerpts from two brilliant homilies given particular those unable to read or write, the people of
by Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly, of Conakry, Guinea, the informal sector, the peasants, etc.) are respected
during our week of study and Congress. First on Sept. and listened to in every country because if they under-
3, at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Marieville stand everything, if they are enlightened and formed,
(a town next to Rougemont): they will want to make a personal effort. They should
also be sure of profiting from the
Put out into the deep water fruits of their work and efforts.
I thank the Lord Who gave me Second attitude: perseverance
the opportunity to participate at this in work. “After having taught the
important Congress — a Congress crowds, Jesus said to Simon: ‘Put
that commits us even more to the out into the deep water and cast your
fight against the scandal of poverty, nets once again to catch’ ” (Luke 5,
through the knowledge, diffusion and 4-5). The Louis Even Institute has
application of the social doctrine of been battling the scandal of poverty
the Church. for 70 years by teaching the appli-
I also thank His Eminence Bernard cation of the social doctrine of the
Cardinal Agre, for having strongly Church and social credit. Others have
recommended that the Pilgrims of St. only been working a few years or
Michael invite me to this international months. To each of us the Lord Jesus
congress. With this invitation, the Pil- says: “Put out into the deep water.”
grims of St. Michael have opened up Put out into the deep water, and do
to my dear country of Guinea. not be blocked by the moment. Put
I also thank the Pilgrims of St. Mi- out into the deep water and cast
chael for the invitation, the welcome Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly your nets, even if you have made ef-
and the rich teaching I am receiving forts that have not produced fruits,
during this congress on social credit and the necessity like Pierre and his companions who
of changing the present financial system. I am com- toiled all night without finding any fish.
forted by the faith and commitment of the Pilgrims of Put out into the deep water while looking towards
St. Michael in their service to the poor, and in their Mary, the Star of the sea. I am thinking of this beautiful
volunteer work… exhortation of St. Bernard: “Whoever you may be, you
In thinking of my country and above all, of those are tossed on the waves by gales and storms more
who live in extreme poverty, the Gospel of today in- than you walk upon dry land; do not turn your eyes
spires me in two ways, two attitudes. Firstly, it inspires from the beam of this star if you do not wish to be
me with prayer. “Since the day that we have heard swamped by the storm! If the winds of temptation en-
about your faith in Christ, we do not cease to pray gulf you, if you are running onto the rocks of adversity,
for you”, said St. Paul to the Colossians (1, 3-4). The depend upon the star, call upon Mary… Following her,
present financial system can only be changed with you will not stray; praying to her, you will not despair;
prayer, just as certain demons can only be vanquished reflecting upon her, you will not go wrong. With her
with prayers, according to the recommendations of taking your hand, you will not fall down; with her pro-
Jesus to His Apostles. What is impossible to men is tecting you, you will not fear; with her leading you,
possible for God. you will not grow weary; with her favour, you will ac-
We are then invited to pray to exorcise the demons complish your goal.”
that pervert the heart and spirit of those who support May the Virgin Mary accompany us during this
the present financial system, to stop them from be- Congress and may God bless us in the name of the
ing intrepid and disinterested servants of the common Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
good. We are invited also to pray for the commitment And now, excerpts from Archbishop Coulibaly’s
of each and every person as servants of the common homily on Sept. 5 in St. Michael’s parish church in
good, without waiting for things to be decided by Rougemont:
higher authorities. We are invited to pray that we all (in This Saturday in ordinary time, the Church gives us

26 2009 session www.michaeljournal.org