Thus while the weekly magazine Famiglia Cristiana of 20 March - and in the preceding days the daily newspaper Avvenire and various Agencies - show us in various forms "the open doors" to the great Salesian solidarity towards the Ukrainian people, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime finds himself in Cameroon. From here come joyful, colorful images, I would say festival-like, demonstrating a welcome, albeit even filial, linked to African values and gratitude. It should not be forgotten that many works here are also supported materially by Salesian charity.
The 10th Successor of Don Bosco has actually been in Cameroon since March 15, where he has already visited the Salesian presences of Yaoundé and Ebolowa: a varied group of places that started in 1979, made up of vocational training schools, theological institutes, pastoral and welfare activities. Fr Ángel is currently preaching the Spiritual Exercises for the Provincials and Provincial Councils of the Salesian Region of Africa-Madagascar. Due to Covid-19, it has been a long-awaited and protracted visit of animation and encouragement. For the Salesians, Africa is a land in expansion, as are (or were?) the Balkans. The presence of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family means a bond of unity and hope. This explains the outbursts of joy and a whole series of meetings that see the Superior General involved in a sort of race against the clock, regulated minute by minute. It should not be forgotten that in the past two years, after the 28th General Chapter, Fr Ángel has undergone a real ordeal of continuous swabs, Covid-19, vaccines, and online meetings, visiting Ecuador and various provinces of Europe.
Before leaving, Fr A.F. Artime suffered intensely this war still underway in Ukraine, and in two letters to the Salesian Family of the world, one dated 1 March and another of 12 March, he stigmatized the war as aggression against a defenseless people, urging solidarity and generous fraternity. He also sent one of his special delegates, Fr George Menamparampil, with the General Economer, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, to coordinate and foster aid.
As Salesians and as Don Bosco's family - he wrote, among other things - we wish to help in all possible ways.
The two letters also underline the commitment of the confreres of the Vice-Province in Ukraine, that of the four provinces of Poland, of Turin’s "Missioni Don Bosco", Madrid’s "Misiones Salesianas", of Germany, Switzerland, Romania, the Italian provinces and so on.
The service of the Rector Major, moreover, is modulated in a spatial-temporal span of over 130 countries. This is why the smiling and serene face of Don Bosco's successor despite everything is a gift for all to thank the Lord for. Having a father who speaks words of light and love is not a foregone conclusion, especially in these times where pandemics and war have favored non-presence and aroused fears.
