La fraternité du Carmel en Afrique un Charisme a l’epreuve locale dans un Monde global

Abstract

The reception of the charism of Carmel in Africa can be understood from an interpretation and a contextualization of fraternity  which is a unifying and central theme of the Rule. The motivations for such an orientation would be justified in the fact that the  values of fraternity are the meeting place, the space for dialogue between the Carmelite charism and African cultures. In this article,  Jean-Marie Dundji, Congolese Carmelite, opens the debate on the authenticity of Carmel in Africa at a time when, having reached the age of responsibility, the Carmelite mission in Africa must exorcise itself from the tribal fold., the materialistic spirit and  the economic  subordination which threaten its unity. Part of a provocative reflection, the article is not limited to the aspect of whining, but becomes a propositum for a solution that revolves around an anthropological, sociological, Christological and spiritual interpretation of the  brotherhood. The frater as underlined by the Rule refers to a universal brotherhood which enriches and liberates the African spirituality from us, that is to say by opening it into the larger circle in union with God (vacare Deo) and union with the brother; in  responsibility at work and pooling of assets; in the choice of mature brothers capable of accompanying the brothers and the Carmelite  mission in Africa.