Page 65 - Reflexions of African Bishops and Priests

dom and tolerance, in both an individual and collective and political order founded on the dignity and liberty of
manner. All this is a cause of suffering. all human persons, to be implemented in peace, justice
Together, we should denounce very strongly this and solidarity. (Gaudium et Spes, n. 30.)
danger that attacks the whole of humanity. We should “Social Credit,” as a doctrine and an ensemble of
have the courage to say that man should search for the principles, works to promote an economy of produc-
truth because he is capable of truth. That truth has a tion at the service of each and every citizen. It is noth-
need for a criterion that permits us to verify and assure ing but the implementation of integral humanism ad-
that it was not falsified; this is necessary. Only truth vocated by the Church. This humanism – according to
tells us of the constant values that give greatness to the Church – can only be achieved if men and women,
humanity. And like the Holy Father said: “That is why individually and in their families, know how to cultivate
the humility to recognize the truth and to accept it as the moral and social values in themselves and to dif-
a standard has to be relearned and practiced again.” fuse them in society. (Gaudium et Spes, 30.)
(See Light of the World, p. 51.) No one is forced to be a To conclude: as St. Augustine says: “The history of
Christian. But no one should be forced to live the “new the world is a battle against two loves:
religion” as the only determining factor, one that in-
volves all of humanity. The Second Vatican Council in Love of self, to the point of the contempt of God;
Gaudium et Spes, underlined the inviolable character Love of God, to the contempt of self
of individual and collective liberty, the liberty of each This was the choice of Jesus! This was the battle
person to choose and to live his religion (n. 14). of Jesus: the Suffering… the Passion… the gift of His
Regarding the theme of our week of study, the Life… Every baptized person must resemble the Master,
Catholic Church – let’s say it – is the bearer of an inte- to imitate and identify with him. Then, with the grace of
gral humanism that shows solidarity, that is capable God, there will rise up truly new men and women, archi-
of animating and promoting a new social, economic tects of a new humanity. Amen!

Louis Even’s Articles Are Still Relevant Today

Fr. Joseph Mbuyi Lumembu, subject he broached, his language was easy enough
from the Democratic Republic to be understood by minds that had no formal train-
of the Congo, a Franciscan and ing. It was a strength he took from his faith in God
archivist currently stationed in and in Jesus Christ, in Mary, in his protectors, Saint
Rome, is in the process of read- Michael, etc. In this way, he showed that he had firm-
ing the Vers Demain yearbooks. ly adhered to his ideal, and with conviction. We see it
Here are some of his impressions also in the videos that we listened to.
given during the week of study in “What strikes me is the firm Roman Catholic
August, 2014: orientation given by Louis Even and Gilberte Cote-
“I read more than 1,200 articles written by Louis Mercier to their Movement, to MICHAEL, a patriotic
Even in Vers Demain from 1939 thru 1972. They Catholic journal for the reign of the hearts of Jesus
were journals that were sent to me in Rome. There and Mary in souls, in families and in every country.
is no mistake in considering Louis Even’s personal- Louis Even and Gilberte Cote-Mercier had fixed their
ity as a vast personality. In considering his numerous primary objective as the promotion of the develop-
interventions both written and on radio broadcasts, ment of a better world.
we can easily see the diversity of subjects and dif- “Is there something religious, edifying, promoted
ficulties which caught his interest and of his open- in MICHAEL and even significant to the dynamics and
mindedness. We can say of him that he acted with a religious spirit, the Christian spirit of Mr. Louis Even,
universal mind. In effect, Louis Even never lost sight and even of Mrs. Cote-Mercier? I can answer simply
of nor neglected any question that could concern the to all of you, as my personal opinion, that reading the
fundamental aspects of a dignified human existence, journal, even for someone who would skim through
and in both dimensions: natural and supernatural. it, was for me very fascinating, and will be again for
“Louis Even knew how to gather information. He a long time, on questions either religious or social,
did not beat around the bush. He was (precise), know- political or economical.
ing that he did not lack those who wanted to slip him “There are many political articles, many articles
up, who evidently wanted to find fault with the sub- on economics that are still relevant today. There-
ject matter that he covered. That is why his talks were fore, it is worth while to republish them in the jour-
distinguished as much by the strength of his argu- nal’s new format.”
ments as with their clearness and clarity. Whatever Father Joseph Mbuyi Lumembu

www.michaeljournal.org Aug. 2011 session 65