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Celebrating Five Years of Achievements in Madagascar
The Antakarana town of Ambilobe was in effervescence on the afternoon of Saturday 14th June 2008 with a procession march through the town. It was organised by the Anglican Parish of St Michael under the rectorship of the Archdeacon Julien Ravelmomanana and assisted by women deacons Revs Roline and Nivo.
The Celebration of the 5th Anniversary of the Consecration of the 3rd Bishop of Antsiranana, The Rt Rev Roger Chung Po chuen (also known under the Malagasy name of Mgr Jaomalaza) was on the move. Bishop Roger Jaomalaza was consecrated in St James Cathedral in Mauritius on 1st June 2003 by Archbishop Remi Rabenirina.
The theme of thanksgiving chosen by the Diocesan youth and Scouts movement was: ''Five years of of episcopate: five years of development in the Diocese of Antsiranana."
Among the achievements during the 5 years of episcopate are: 8 schools have been started with the help of USPG; 5 Rice mill projects with CNEC/PI and generous donations; the Diocesan Canterbury Training Center has been built; the Diocesan Immanuel Hall has been completed; the new St Matthew Cathedral was inaugurated last year on the 17th June 2007 with major help from the Canterbury Diocese; 8 new churches have been erected in remote villages; the number of Clergy has increased from 16 to 41, many of whom are worker priests; a new Theological and Pastoral Center and TEE Extension program is being built and it is expected to be inaugurated next year.
God has indeed blessed the proactive leadership in fulfilling the vision of honouring God and obeying his Word. All these projects took place amid tough challenges from within and without but still ... grace and mercy from God the Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit overflowed ... Psalm 23.
The street procession emerged in the New Church of St Alban in Matsabory Laidama Ambilobe where a baptism service of 86 persons took place. This new suburban church in Ambilobe was inaugurated last April 2008 by 2 ladies, Mrs Clelie Lim and Anne Marie Li from St Paul's Church, Plaine Verte, Mauritius. The next day on Sunday would see the confirmation of 83 parishioners of all ages.
The Bishop Roger Chung Jaomalaza thanked the Lord for His faithfulness and all the people who continue to pray and act so that the blessings continue to be showered on the Diocese of Antsiranana and he prayed that poverty be made history in the country.
