Eminence,

Ci-joint veuillez trouver les voeux qu’en réponse à l’appel du Saint Père je désire soumettre, hélas bien tardivement.

Veuillez avoir l’obligeance de les accepter encore si vous les jugez utiles.

Daigne Votre Eminence m’excuser et agréer l’expression de mes sentiments respectueusement dévoués

🜊 ANDRÉ VAN DEN BRONK
Evêque de Kumasi

Eminence,

Please find attached the wishes that, in response to the Holy Father’s appeal, I desire to submit, alas very tardily.

Please kindly accept them still if you consider them useful.

May Your Eminence deign to excuse me and to accept the expression of my respectfully devoted sentiments

🜊 ANDRÉ VAN DEN BRONK
Bishop of Kumasi

Ut doctrina Ecclesiae attentis novissimis theologorum laboribus fusius expoliata a S. Concilio plenius definiatur.

Ut Commissio summa auctoritate praedita ac S. Congregationi pro Ecclesia Orientali adiuncta instituatur, quae, studiis tam dogmaticis quam oecumenico-pastoralibus omnibus coordinatis, Ecclesiam Occidentalem ad ad unionem aptius praeparet: unitatem Occidentalem inter et Orientalem Ecclesiam omnino perficiat atque communitates Christum quocumque modo profitentes ad unitatem adducere conetur.

🜊 ANDREAS VAN DEN BRONK
Episcopus Kumasiensis

That the doctrine of the Church, having been more extensively elaborated by taking into account the latest works of theologians, may be more fully defined by the Sacred Council.

That a Commission endowed with supreme authority and attached to the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Church be established, which, by coordinating both all dogmatic and ecumenical-pastoral studies, may more aptly prepare the Western Church for union: may it completely accomplish the unity between the Western and the Eastern Church and may it endeavour to lead communities professing Christ in any way to unity.

🜊 ANDRÉ VAN DEN BRONK
Bishop of Kumasi

Your Eminence,

In reply to Your Eminence’s request, under the date of 18 June, 1959, I am enclosing herewith the vota ad Concilium generale proponenda of the Diocese of Accra, Ghana.

Kindly accept my sincere apologies for being tardy in sending in our proposals for the coming General Council. I have been absent from my Diocese for some weeks and am just now winding up my trip.

Since I am here in the Eternal City for a few days, the opportunity is afforded me of presenting these proposals.

I should like to assure His Holiness, Pope John XXIII and Your Eminence that our clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Accra are remembering the forthcoming General Council of the Church in their prayers and sacrifices. May God the Holy Spirit direct the preparations and preside over the deliberations of this historic meet, this is our prayer.

With every best wish for Your Eminence’s personal well being and the assurance of my prayers for Your Eminence as the Holy Father’s Secretary of State, I am 

Most sincerely yours in the Holy Spirit,
+ JOSEPH BOWERS

 1. Ut omnes Superiores Maiores, Superiores Regionales, Rectores, antequam suis muneribus fungi incipiant, per brevem cursum introductorium bene se praeparent.

In specie:

a) Ut supradicti superiores per saltem duas hebdomades se dedicent ad recensendum Constitutiones Ordinum et Congregationum propriarum, decreta et regulationes Apostolicae Sedis quae ad sua officia spectant. Bene studeant etiam supradicti Superiores modo agendi cum variis “departamentis” propriarum familiarum religiosarum ut praescribitur per consuetudines et interpretationes authenticas a Conciliis Generalibus enuntiatas.

b) Ut in lucem edatur aliquis libellus (“manuale”) quae haec omnia (decreta, regulationes, consuetudines, interpretationes authenticas) contineat.

2. Ut Statuta Missionalia Ordinum et Congregationum laborantium in Missionibus Exteris emendentur secundum principia enuntiata in encyclicis recentioribus Paparum et decretis Apostolicae Sedis quae de Missionibus tractant.

3. Ut media aptissima inveniantur quibus decreta Apostolicae Sedis ad Ordinarios in Missionibus degentes formaliter et celerius communicentur.

+ JOSEPH BOWERS 
Episcopus Accraënsis

1. That all major superiors, regional superiors, rectors, before they begin to discharge their duties, prepare themselves well through a brief introductory course.

Specifically:

 a) That the aforementioned superiors devote themselves for at least two weeks to reviewing the constitutions of their own orders and congregations, the decrees and regulations of the Apostolic See that pertain to their offices. Let the above-mentioned superiors also study well the manner of dealing with the various “departments” of their own religious families, as prescribed by the practices and authentic interpretations enunciated by the General Councils.

b) That a booklet (“manual”) which contains all these things (decrees, regulations, practices, authentic interpretations) be published.

2. That missionary statutes of orders and congregations working in foreign missions be amended according to the principles enunciated in the more recent encyclicals of Popes and the decrees of the Apostolic See that deal with missions.

3. That the most suitable means be found by which the decrees of the Apostolic See may be formally and more rapidly communicated to ordinaries residing in the missions.

+ JOSEPH BOWERS 
Bishop of Accra

Eminentissime Pater,

Pro litteris Prot. N. I C/59-2184 quae ut mihi mitterentur curare non aspernata est Eminentia Vestra, maximas gratias sincerasque gratissimo animo ago.

Haud dubium est quin Excellentissimi ac Reverendissimi Ordinarii totius Civitatis Ghaniensis res et argumenta specialiter conditiones hic vigentes spectantia Commissioni Antepraeparatoriae iam miserint, quibus aliquid novi addendum non habens malo abstinere quominus tempus pretiosum Commissioni dupla mittendo perdam.

Interim Eminentiae Vestrae Purpuram ac Anulum exosculans necnon quaeque bona, fausta, felicia fortunataque Commissioni Antepraeparatoriae a Domino adprecans, maximo cum obsequio me profiteor

Addictissimum ac oboedientissimum Eminentiae Vestrae filium in Domino,

+ IOANNES KODWO AMISSAH
Episcopus tit. Bencennensis

Most Eminent Father,

With a very grateful heart, I give the greatest and sincere thanks for the letter, Prot. No. 1 C/59-2184, which Your Eminence did not disdain to ensure that it might be sent to me.

There is no doubt indeed that the Most Excellent and Reverend Ordinaries of the entire State of Ghana have already sent to the Antepreparatory Commission the matters and subjects, especially pertaining to the prevailing conditions here, to which, not having something new to be added, I would rather refrain from wasting precious time by sending duplicates to the Commission.

In the interim, kissing Your Eminence’s purple and ring, as well as beseeching all good, favourable, happy, and fortunate things from the Lord for the Antepreparatory Commission, I profess myself with utmost deference

Your Eminence’s very devoted and obedient son in the Lord,

 
+ JOHN KODWO AMISSAH
Tit. bishop of Bencenna

Ill.me ac Rev.me Domine,

Honorifice subsignatas has litteras circa concilium accepi 30 mensis iulii et diligentissime perscribo secundum vota magni momenti Ecclesiae Sanctissimi Patris Nostri.

I. Ad unitatem fovendam

Membra ecclesiarum quae fidem aliquam christianam profiteantur ut eminenter proxima inter acatholicos fratres, sicut filios christianae traditionis, non ut excommunicatos spectanda censeo.

Possibile sit favere quasdam preces communes sive inter baptizatos, sive inter pastores animarum, iuris canonici relaxando articulos: 1258 – 2314 – 2319.

II. De personis

Antiquae disciplinae ecclesiae romanae rigor debet ecclesiae africanae convenire: nihil debet mutari de obligationibus clericorum: C.I.C. can. 132 § 1 et can. 134.

Erga episcoporum personam, opportunum est ratione evangelicae simplicitatis, signa aliqua exteriora minuere v. g. annuli deosculationem extra ceremonias; titulum nobilem « Excellentia » praestandum…

III. De ritibus

Relative ad laicorum apostolatum, ritus confirmationis et matrimonii amplificandus est.

Commissio de re liturgica apud afros permanenter instituenda sub vigilantia Sanctae Sedis ut directorium pastorale componenda est.

Dum autem Amplitudini Tuae fausta omnia precor a Domino, Tui permaneo

Addictissimus in Christo
ROBERTUS CHOPARD-LALLIER
Praefectus Apostolicus Parakuensis

Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord,

 I received this letter, honourably undersigned, about the council on 30 July, and I very diligently write in line with the wishes of Our Most Holy Father, which are of great importance to the Church.

 I. To foster unity

I recommend that members of churches who profess some Christian faith be regarded as eminently closest among non-Catholic brethren, as children of Christian tradition, and not as the excommunicated.

Let it be possible to encourage certain common prayers, whether among the baptized or among pastors of souls, by relaxing the articles of the canon law: 1258 – 2314 – 2319.

II. On persons

The rigour of the ancient discipline of the Roman church ought to suit the African church: nothing should be changed regarding the obligations of clerics: C.I.C. Can. 132 § 1 and Can. 134.

With regard to the person of bishops, it is opportune, for the sake of evangelical simplicity, to reduce some outward signs, for example, the kissing of the ring outside of ceremonies; bestowing the noble title “Excellence” …

III. On rites

In relation to the apostolate of the laity, the rite of confirmation and marriage should be amplified.

A commission for liturgical matters among Africans to be permanently instituted under the vigilance of the Holy See as a pastoral directory has to be composed.

And while I pray for all favourable things from the Lord for Your Eminence, I remain Yours 

Very devoted in Christ
ROBERTUS CHOPARD-LALLIER
Apostolic Prefect of Parakou

Eminentissime Domine,

Imprimis, devotissimum ac gratum me praebere faveas erga Summum Pontificem Dominum ac Patrem Nostrum Ioannem XXIII fel. regn. quem Deum vivificet et conservet.

Pariter, Pontificiae Commissionis Antepraeparatoriae pro Concilio Oecumenico illustrissimo ac Pariter, Pontificiae Commissionis Antepraeparatoriae pro Concilio Oecumenico illustrissimo ac reverendissimo Praesidi gratias ex intimo corde et humiliter agere velim quia, illo sic disponente, me etiam inter excellentissimos consultores qui litteras receperunt aggregari honorificum ac fas est.

Nuntium futuri Concilii Oecumenici hac in Archidiocesi, immo tota in Provincia ecclesiastica nostra, maximo cum gaudio receptum est. Singulariter vero nos iuvat character oecumenicus praedicti Concilii. Non mirum nec mirandum quidem est factum, in suo genere novum, secundum quod, prima vice in Historia Matris Ecclesiae, Episcopi Nigrae Africae huic augusto coetui qua Patres astabunt.

Hoc ergo gratum argumentum in nobis urget munus praeces vividissimas et frequentis simas effundendi pro felici exitu futuri Concilii. Ad quod, modesto cum animo, haec sequentia vota breviter adiungere velim, consiliis auditis et rite perpensis aliquorum virorum peritorum utriusque nostri cleri missionarii scilicet et africani.

1. Quoad doctrinam, ominamur ut dogma Mystici Corporis et consequenter Ecclesiae denuo et clarius et profundius enucleatur. Nobis quidem magni momenti apparet hoc punctum nostrae Religionis tam ad pascendos spiritualiter nostros neophytos quam ad demonstrandum infidelibus characterem “familiarem” seu communitarium Ecclesiae.

De Communione Sanctorum quidquid novi declaratum opportune reciperetur.

2. Pariter de nefanda Communismi doctrina sensim, pro dolor!, per nostras regiones grassante solemnis condemnatio Patrum valde opportuna erit. Hoc, ut omnes catholici unicam eamdemque methodum contra Communismum assequantur.

 
3. Doctrina Socialis Ecclesiae ad instar brevis codicis edatur.

4. Humiliter et ardenti animo exoptamus ut celebratio S. Missae, saltem in nostris regionibus, omnino a strictis horarii regulis seponatur, manentibus tamen sacris praescriptis circa ieiunium eucharisticum.

5. Visitatio pastoralis missionum et cappellarum dissitarum, ubi sacerdos solus habetur, saepe impedire potest communionem quotidianam Religiosarum quae intra huius fines degunt ac laborant. Quapropter, nonne beneficum esset si permissio Matri Superiorae, occasione data et certis condicionibus praemissis, concederetur ut S. Communionem suis consociis distribuat?

6. Quoad S. Breviarium, sit breve, clarum, documentis omnino certis confectum, hodiernis necessitatibus consonum.

7. Matrimonii Cerimoniae liturgicae iuxta Rituale Romanum valde concisae nobis apparent; ergo nova formula in solemniori ritu proponenda valde nos iuvabit. E contra, Baptismi formula actualis et etiam S. Paenitentiae, saltem in missionum regionibus, aliquando onerosissima videtur. Abbreviatio in hac parte cum gratitudine sincera accipietur.

8. Ut magis magisque crescat devotio marialis quae in magno honore est apud nos, suppliciter exoptamus ut doctrina Mediationis Universalis Mariae explanetur, et si fieri potest, definiatur a Patribus futuri Concilii.


Mihi tandem remanet ut Tibi denuo, ferventer ac devotissime, Eminentissime ac Reverendissime Domine, gratos animos offeram in Christo Domino Nostro Iesu.

+ BERNARDINUS GANTIN
Episcopus tit. Tipasitanus in Mauretania
Auxiliaris Cotonuensis

Most Eminent Lord,

First of all, may you favour to present me as very devout and grateful to the happily reigning Supreme Pontiff, our Lord and Father, John XXIII, whom may God vivify and preserve.

Likewise, I would like to humbly express my heartfelt gratitude to the most illustrious and reverend President of the Pontifical Antepreparatory Commission for the Ecumenical Council because, by his arrangement, it is honourable and proper for me to be included as well among the most distinguished consultants who have received the letter.

The news of the upcoming Ecumenical Council was received with great joy in this Archdiocese, indeed in our entire ecclesiastical Province. The ecumenical character of the aforementioned Council especially really delights us. It is not surprising, nor indeed astonishing that something new in its kind has happened, in that for the first time in the history of the Mother Church, bishops of Black Africa will be present in this august assembly as Fathers.

Therefore, this pleasant subject urges in us the task of pouring forth very spirited and constant prayers for the successful outcome of the future Council. To this, with a humble heart, I would like to briefly add the following wishes, having heard, and duly considered the advice of some expert men, namely, both our missionary and African clergy.

1. With regard to doctrine, we envisage that the dogma of the Mystical Body and consequently of the Church is further clarified and deepened. Indeed, this point of our Religion appears to us of great importance both for nourishing our neophytes spiritually and for demonstrating to unbelievers the “familial” or communal character of the Church.

Anything new opportunely declared on the Communion of Saints would be accepted.

2. Equally, concerning the impious doctrine of Communism gradually, unfortunately!, advancing throughout our regions, a solemn condemnation of the Fathers will be very opportune. This, so that all Catholics may follow a unique and the same method against Communism.

3. Let the Social Doctrine of the Church be published in the form of a concise code.

4. Humbly and with an ardent heart, we desire that the celebration of the Holy Mass, at least in our regions, be entirely excluded from strict time regulations, while the sacred precepts regarding the eucharistic fast remain.

5. The pastoral visitation of distant missions and chapels, where there is only one priest, can often hinder the daily communion of Religious women who live and work within these territories. Therefore, would it not be beneficial if permission were granted to the Mother Superior, given the occasion and under certain conditions, to distribute the Holy Communion to her associates?

6. As for the Holy Breviary, let it be short, clear, prepared with completely reliable documents, and in accordance with today’s needs.

7. The liturgical ceremonies of marriage according to the Roman Ritual appear very concise to us; therefore, proposing a new formula in a more solemn rite will greatly please us. On the other hand, the current formula for Baptism and also for the Sacrament of Penance, at least in mission regions, sometimes seems very onerous. A shortening in this regard will be received with sincere gratitude.

8. In order that Marian devotion, which is held in great honour among us, may grow more and more, we suppliantly desire that the doctrine of the Universal Mediation of Mary be explained, and if possible, defined by the Fathers of the future Council.

To me at last remains that I may once again, fervently and most devotedly, offer grateful sentiments to You, Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

+ BERNARDIN GANTIN
Tit. bishop of Tipasa in Mauretania
Auxiliary of Cotonou

Quoad opportunitatem Concilii.

Futurum Concilium Oecumenicum, si ad unitatem tantum pertineret, in angustias iturum videretur; attamen, etsi non adhuc matura, omnium Ecclesiarum etiam dissitarum, quasi ab omnibus optata, apparet Conventio.

Concilium scilicet ad falsas opiniones et odia dispellenda, per totum orbem, precum concursus et laborum suscitabit vel amplificabit.

Quoad doctrinam.

a) Effatum “Extra Ecclesiam, nulla salus” non prorsus vulgo adhibiturum esse videtur. Consequenter, nunc clarius “Quid sit Ecclesia? Quid sit Communio Sanctorum” declarari deberetur?

b) Adversus Communismum et eius impudentes progressus nonne deberet socialis Ecclesiae doctrina fortius et fulgentius exponi et acrius propugnari?

Quoad disciplinam.

a) Nonne fasti (calendrier) utiliter reformarentur?

b) Catechismum ad usum puerorum et catechumenorum ad mentem Sancti Pii X exaratum, concretius et in capita singula, quam maxime ex Evangelio profluxum optatur.

c) In Missionum regionibus, fratres nostri separati, vulgarisatione Sanctorum Bibliorum, nos valde superant et illorum neophyti maiorem habent notitiam Verbi Dei quam Catholici et idcirco magis idonei sunt ad fidem propugnandam.

Nonne imitandi sunt in profusione Librorum utriusque Testamenti?

d) Nonne oporteret Breviarium brevius et expurgatum facere? Et eius recitationem quoad tempus, locum et modum, strictiorem reddere?

+ LOUIS PARISOT
Archiepiscopus Cotonuensis

Regarding the opportuneness of the Council.

If the upcoming Ecumenical Council were to pertain only to unity, it would seem about to head into difficulties; nevertheless, although not yet opportune, a Convenvention of all Churches, even those that are separated, appears as if desired by all.

Of course, the Council will kindle or even amplify unions of prayers and efforts for the purpose of dispelling false opinions and hatred throughout the whole world.

With regard to doctrine.

a) The axiom “Outside the Church, there is no salvation” does not seem to be commonly used anymore. Consequently, should “What is the Church?” What is the Communion of Saints?” now be declared more clearly?

b) Shouldn’t the social doctrine of the Church be set forth more forcefully and brilliantly and defended more keenly against Communism and its impudent progress?

As for discipline.

a) Shouldn’t the calender (calendrier) be usefully reformed?

b) A catechism for the use of children and catechumens, composed according to the mind of Saint Pius X, more concretely and in individual chapters, derived as much as possible from the Gospel, is desired.

c) In the regions of the missions, our separated brothers greatly surpass us in the popularization of the Holy Bible, and their neophytes have a greater knowledge of the Word of God than Catholics and, on that account,  are more suited to defend the faith. 

Are they not to be imitated in the profusion of the Books of both Testaments?

d) Would it not be necessary to make the Breviary shorter and expurgated? And to make its recitation stricter as to time, place, and manner?

+ LOUIS PARISOT
Archbishop of Cotonou

Eminentia Reverendissima,

Ut responsum darem litteris quibus Vestra Eminentia mihi mandavit de quaestionibus utiliter proponendis Commissioni Antepraeparatoriae pro futuro Concilio Oecumenico, utile visum est instari:

1) in litteris Encyl. Fidei Donum;

2) ut renovetur in fidelium cordibus amor quo Christus dilexit nos, ille scilicet amor qui proprium fuit Primaevae Ecclesiae, ad testimonium proferendum specialiter requisitum in regionibus oeconomice retardatis, ut in Africa, ubi imminet communismus.

Vestra Eminentia Reverendissima officium submissae meae venerationis gratum habere dignetur.

+ PAULUS ETOGA
Episcopus tit. Cyparissiensis, Aux. Yaundensis

Most Reverend Eminence,

To respond to the letter in which Your Eminence instructed me on the questions to be usefully proposed to the Antepreparatory Commission for the upcoming Ecumenical Council, it seemed useful to insist:

1) on the encyclical letter Fidei Donum;

2) that the love by which Christ loved us, namely, that love which was characteristic of the Early Church, may be renewed in the hearts of the faithful, in order to bear witness especially required in economically retarded regions, such as in Africa, where communism is imminent.

May Your Most Reverend Eminence deign to consider acceptable the gesture of my submissive veneration.

+ PAUL ETOGA
Tit. bishop of Cyparissia, Aux. of Yaoundé

Eminentissime Domine,

Cum in litteris suis (1484 bis die Martii XXI) dignaretur Eminentia Reverendissima Tua mihi mandare ut ad Antepraeparatorium Concilii Oecumenici Coetum mitterem de quibus rebus hoc Concilium mundo moderationes dare posset, iam diu expertus quo usu Missionibus nostris in Africa opus esset, haec putavi utilia fore:

1. Ut denuo Communismus impius damnaretur: prosperitas enim technicarum artium qua pollet URSS tam penitus Africanos mentes movet ut talia vulgo audiantur: “Haud sane malus ille Communismus, utpote qui Russias regiones, ex rudibus inter Europae nationes, florentissimas effecit: scilicet doctrinae propagatio ab eo militat nos divertere ne per eum mature ad plenam libertatem perveniamus, repulso occidentali adiutorio. Verum, aiunt, a Summis Pontificibus damnatus est, sed ii ipsi occidentales sunt homines!”.

Sollemnis ergo condemnatio ab universi orbis Episcopis lata magni momenti gravitatisque videatur.

2. Ut instanter affirmaretur quo modo valeret Ecclesia moderari nationes ad sui iuris potestatem accedentes: nimis enim prona aestimatio habetur Ecclesiam debere in actione sola spirituali se continere, obliviscendo quod vitae materialis conditiones multum in illas spiritualis vitae impellent.

3. Ut monerent Deum honorandum esse non solum hominibus singulis, sed etiam societati et nationibus ut talibus.

4. Ut instanter disciplinam in sinu Ecclesiae memorarent, nam oculis nostris, democraticae opiniones quae ex liberarum rerum publicarum in regionibus Africae formatione pervulgantur etiam Ecclesiam penetrant, atque clerici etiam iuvenes nonnunquam vix mandata Episcopi accipiunt, ne S. Patris dicam: fas esse, putant, de eis disputare; illam quae olim oporteret oboedientiam, non iam hic valere; sed hodie, ratione iugiter progressa, nemo oboedire tenetur nisi iussa iusta et opportuna esse percipiat: sic vulgo in dies coeptum est putari. Quod spoliat, in facto, oboedientiam omni qualitate supernaturali, sed etiam graviter laedit unitatem qua viget actio sacerdotalis.

Dignetur Eminentia Tua Reverendissima altissimi respectus mei deferentiam in D. N. accipere

+ RENATUS GRAFFIN
Archiepiscopus Yaundensis

Most Eminent Lord,

Since in his letter (1484 bis March 21) Your Most Reverend Eminence deigned to enjoin me so that I might send to the Antepreparatory Commission of the Ecumenical Council matters concerning which this Council could give guidelines to the world, having now for a long time experienced by which advantage it might be beneficial for our Missions in Africa, I thought that these would be useful:

1. That impious Communism be condemned once again: for the prosperity of the technical arts with which the USSR exerts influence moves the minds of Africans so deeply that such things are commonly heard: “Certainly, that famous Communism is by no means evil, inasmuch as it made the regions of Russia the most prosperous, from the undeveloped among the nations of Europe: clearly, the propagation of doctrine on it strives to divert us lest we quickly attain full freedom through it, with western support having been repulsed. Even so, they say, it has been condemned by the Supreme Pontiffs, but they [those Pontiffs] themselves are Western men!”.

Therefore, a solemn condemnation pronounced by the bishops of the whole world seems of great importance and gravity.

2. That it may be urgently affirmed how the Church might be able to moderate nations advancing towards independent rule: for it is thought too readily that the Church ought to confine herself solely to spiritual action, forgetting that the conditions of the material life greatly influence those of the spiritual life.

3. To remind that God should be honoured not only by individual people, but also by society and nations as such.

4. To urgently bring to mind the discipline in the bosom of the Church, for in our eyes, democratic opinions that are spread through the formation of free states in regions of Africa also penetrate the Church, and even young clerics sometimes hardly obey the mandates of the Bishop, not to mention those of the Holy Father: they think that it is right to discuss them; that obedience, which once was necessary, is no longer valid here; but today, with reasoning constantly advancing, no one is obliged to obey unless they perceive the orders to be just and opportune: thus it has begun to be generally thought day by day. What, in fact, strips obedience of every supernatural quality, but also seriously harms the unity in which priestly action thrives.

May your Most Reverend Eminence deign to accept the deference of my highest respect in our Lord

+ RENATUS GRAFFIN
Archbishop of Yaoundé