his project aimed at offering these young men an opportunity to follow a special spiritual, human and cultural itinerary so they may be put at the service of their respective countries clearly belongs to the institutional duties of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples since this all is part of evangelization”. This statement was made by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples this morning during the inauguration of a new Master’s Degree in Management promoted by the Congregation. To have an influence on the
issue of the life of the Church and society in the countries to which Propaganda Fide dedicates its activity, the first finality of the Course “is to be a tool in the hands of the local Churches to provide integral development which is not pure and simple assistance but becomes a possibility for self-determination of the
well-being of the individual Churches and the respective nations”.
With this new Master’s Degree in Management of Development we accept the challenge to make Africa the continent of hope moving from a concept of mere assistance to one of education, valorizing the gifts and resources of African.
The group of young Africans from 17 different countries who have come to Rome to study for a Master’s Degree in Management of Development are enthusiastic and excited. “We want to help bring peace and development to our countries. Our Bishops have sent us here to Rome for this purpose” they said.
Says John Baptist Mujuni from Uganda. “You see for the past five years I have been financial secretary at Kampala University and was hesitant to live abroad for a year and a half. But Lord helped me see this Course as an opportunity, not only for me but for the local Church and for our country. The Course will enable me to help others develop their abilities, to give a voice to the voiceless”.
The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Card. Sepe continues: “I believe the times of assistance, understood as simply giving, are over; now instead it is necessary to take with courage the path of giving individuals responsibility to enable them to bring about their own development, naturally with our help. And Africa has all the potential particularly with regard to people to manage itself and take its future in its own hands”.
The Rector of Sacro Cuore Catholic University Prof. Lorenzo Ornaghi said today there exists a consistent cultural challenge to “move on from old ways of thinking and obsolete methods of working for development” to new paths to provide new means for local Churches by preparing new “minds” with complete formation including specific technical know-how.
“At the end of the course when I return to Nigeria my idea is to start and non profit business which will operate in the light of the Church’s social doctrine” said Abonpani Fidelis Ori. “I have a Degree in Economy and two years of working experience with a Nigerian Web Design company. Now I hope to complete my formation so I can promote development in my country. I hope this course will produce new ideas for promoting business respectful of social issues in Nigeria and all over Africa.”
The fundamental idea behind this new Master’s Degree is social entrepreneurship said Prof. Mario Molteni, Director of the Alta Scuola di Impresa e Società (ALTIS). There will be no immediate results during the months of the Course, these will come later when the students return to their countries with a considerable baggage of cultural knowledge and management skills. The course’s study subjects are grouped in three areas: area of profit and non profit management, area of theology and morals (in collaboration with the Pontifical Urban University) political-juridical area Most of the lessons will include practical working experience on small projects.
(From Fides Service)