Bishop Bernard
Charles Ratsimamotoana
Bishop of Morondava, Madagascar
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1. "Appreciation of Concrete Ecumenism in Madagascar", published by the permanent Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar in February 1992.
ECUMENISM AND F.F.K.M. (Federation of Christian Churches of Madagascar or Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar).
"We appreciate the actual F.F.K.M. in the light of Ecumenism to which the Catholic Church of Madagascar participates. For us, the FFKM is an ecumenical institution in the light of the search for Christian unity. During the experience of the last ten years, we have placed ourselves, within the FFKM, within the practical ecumenical spirit in placing ourselves at the service of the country. Under the guidance of the Heads of the Church, we recognize three essential qualities of the FFKM’s action:
-its accompaniment during the important events of the country’s life;
-the evangelic moderation in the sense of justice and peace;
-the effective mediation at the moment where conciliatory efforts were necessary for the life of the country.
Our profound conviction is that, even after the National Forum, the FFKM will always place its moral authority at the service of the country, especially for the defence of man. As for the participation in direct political action, we ask that the ecclesiology of each Church be respected.
In today’s circumstances, the progress of our Country is in the hands of Malagasy citizens conscious of the common good and who try to realize it. The Christians also contribute with the quality of their witness according to the Gospel. We say again: "such is our hope!"
2. Extracts from our Pastoral Letter on "Democracy" March 25th, 1994:
Numbers 12, 13 and 14 express appreciation to the FFKM in the progress of the Country towards Democracy:
n° 12 "Today the Malagasy and the world rejoice the Church. The Church dares to say that it is at the same time the TODAY OF GOD. This is what John Paul II loves to say: "Man is the primary route of the Church. She must follow it in accomplishing her mission: he is the first and the fundamental route of the Church, route traced for Christ Himself..." (Redemptor Hominis, n 14).
n° 13 The Catholic Church in Madagascar and the sister churches of the FFKM have invited us to take the route of Democracy with:
-the pastoral Letter on the "Redressing of the Nation" (November 1987)
-the "Message of Pentecost" 1990 of the FFKM.
n° 14 "The Catholic Church in Madagascar and the Churches of the FFKM have accompanied the people on the route of Democracy. The Ray-Aman-Dreny were present at all the exchanges made by the National Concertations, at the negotiations of the Falda, of Saint Michel and of the Hotel Panorama, at the works of the National Forum. They were witnesses, moderators and mediators. All recognize this and are grateful to them..."
3. We also present, in such a manner, a concrete ecumenical action which acts in the domain of justice and peace. This is one of the aspects of witness given together with "non-violence" during the events lived by our Country. There is the strength there of our Malagasy soul, but also of our "evangelical moderation..."
Original text in French
