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

Eminentisime Domine,

Die 18 iunii huius anni, epistolam sub N. 1 C/59-531 Eminentia tua dignata est mittere, in qua observationes ac suggestiones meas pro Pontificia Commissione Antepraeparatoria Concilii Oecumenici liberalissime petiit.

Quapropter, re mature perpensa, et de consulto aliquorum sacerdotum S. Theologiae ac Iuris Canonici peritorum, quasdam de episcopis et de diaconis adnotationes ausus sum Eminentiae tuae proponere, quas in foliis hic adiunctis inveniet.

Obsequio meo, quod ex corde in Domino gavisus sum humiliter exprimere, faveat Eminentia tua.

Eminentiae tuae Rev.mae
addictissimus
+  IVO PLUMEY, O. M. I.
Episcopus Garuensis

Most Eminent Lord,

On June 18 of this year, your Eminence deigned to send a letter under No. 1 C/59-531, in which he very graciously requested my observations and suggestions for the Pontifical Antepreparatory Commission of the Ecumenical Council.

Therefore, after due consideration and from the response of some priests who are experts in Sacred Theology and Canon Law, I have ventured to present to your Eminence some remarks concerning bishops and deacons, which he will find in the pages attached hereto.

May your Eminence favour my deference, which I am glad to humbly express from (my) heart in the Lord.

Your Most Reverend Eminence’s
very devoted
+  IVO PLUMEY, O. M. I.
Bishop of Garoua

De Episcopis

Ut in can. 329 dicitur, « Episcopi sunt Apostolorum successores », ac proinde Romani Pontificis erga totius Ecclesiae curae participes efficiuntur adeo ut non solum ecclesiae particularis cui praeficiuntur bonum spiritualem specialiter procurare teneantur, sed etiam aliis dioecesibus et territoriis missionum, quae ea indigeant, opem ferre debeant.

Quapropter, in relatione quinquennali, de qua in can. 340 agitur, omnes Episcopi specialem mentionem facient, sive de ope quam dioecesis sibi credita aliis dioecesibus vel territoriis missionum praebuerit, sive de ope quam ab aliis receperit.

De Diaconis

Cum in multis terre [sic(terrae)] partibus bonum fidelium et extensio regni Dei apud infideles parvo numero sacerdotum refrenetur, petitur ut ordinarie sacerdotes adiuvari possint a diaconis, quorum officia sequentia essent:

— praedicatio verbi divini;
— administratio S. Baptismi, etiam solemnis;
— distributio S. Communionis;
— expositio SS. Sacramenti et benedictio Eucharistica;

— Viatici ad infirmos delatio.

Ut vero diaconi possit [sic(possint)] ita sacerdotes in ministerio adiuvare, petitur ut sacrum Diaconatus ordinem suscipere possint viri laici, sive coelibes, sive matrimonio iuncti, bonis moribus praediti, bona fama gaudentes, qui requisitam sacrae doctrinae institutionem receperint.

Secundum locorum ac ministerii necessitates, iudicio Ordinarii, diaconi possent, sive unice ministerio sacro incumbere, sive coniunctim cum suis civilibus ac familiaribus obligationibus hoc ministerium adimplere.

+ IVO PLUMEY, O. M. I.
Episcopus Garuensis

On Bishops

As it is said in Canon 329, “Bishops are the successors of the Apostles”, and therefore they are made partakers of the Roman Pontiff’s concern for the whole Church, so much so that they are not only bound to specifically take care of the spiritual good of the particular church to which they are put in charge, but they should also provide assistance to other dioceses and territories of the missions that need it.

Therefore, in the quinquennial report, which is treated in canon 340, all bishops will make special mention, whether of the help that the diocese entrusted to him may have provided to other dioceses or territories of the missions, or of the help he may have received from others.

On Deacons

Since, in many parts of the world, the good of the faithful and the extension of the kingdom of God among unbelievers is restrained by a small number of priests, it is requested that priests may be regularly assisted by deacons, whose duties would be the following:

— preaching of the divine word;
— administration of Holy Baptism, even solemn Baptism;
— distribution of Holy Communion;
— exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament and Eucharistic benediction;
—  delivery of the Viaticum to the sick.

Moreover, in order that deacons may be able to assist priests in their ministry, it is requested that laymen, whether celibate or married, endowed with good morals, enjoying good reputation, who have received the requisite training in sacred doctrine, may receive the sacred order of the diaconate.

According to the needs of regions and the ministry, at the discretion of the Ordinary, deacons would be able to either devote themselves solely to the sacred ministry or fulfill this ministry in conjunction with their civil and family obligations.

+ IVO PLUMEY, O. M. I.
Episcopus Garuensis

Eminentissime Pater,

Litterae quas mihi misisti in Dioecesim meam Dumensem, ad obtinendum consilium pro futuro Concilio Oecumenico, mihi pervenerunt in hisce diebus in Hollandia, ubi iam sum per tres menses.

Tempus ideo breve est et circumstantiae vitae meae in patria tales sunt ut mihi valde impossibile sit profunde tractare quaestiones quas cognoscere desiderat Summus Pontifex Ioannes XXIII.

Impossibile mihi est uti consilio virorum qui consultores mei sunt dioecesani.

Rogo ergo Te, Eminentissime Pater, ut me excuses in hisce circumstantiis.

Communicare volo tamen quaedam desideria mea (brevissime):

1) Ut extendatur in Sacra Liturgia et in distributione Sacramentorum facultas utendi lingua vernacula, ita ut populus maximam utilitatem habeat.

2) Ut quintum annum theologiae pro religiosis missionariis aboleatur. Experientia (quamvis brevis) usque nunc probat hoc annum difficile esse ad exsequendum eiusque utilitas non magna videtur.

Quaestiones meae, Eminentissime Pater, parvae et non multae sunt, iterum rogo excusationes pro hac vice. 

Eminentiae Tuae Rev.mae
addictissimus
+ IACOBUS TEERENSTRA 
Episcopus Dumensis

Most Eminent Father,

The letter which you sent me for my diocese of Doumé, to obtain a proposal for the upcoming Ecumenical Council, reached me these days in Holland, where I have been for three months now.

Therefore, time is short, and the circumstances of my life in my country are such that it is very impossible for me to delve deeply into the questions which the Supreme Pontiff John XXIII desires to know.

It is impossible for me to use the counsel of the men who are my diocesan consultors.

Therefore, I ask you, Most Eminent Father, to excuse me in these circumstances.

However, I want to communicate some of my desires (very briefly):

1) That the faculty to use the vernacular be extended in the Sacred Liturgy and in the distribution of the Sacraments, so that the people may have the greatest benefit.

2) That the fifth year of theology for religious missionaries be abolished. Experience (although little) thus far proves that this year is difficult to accomplish, and its utility does not seem great.

My questions, Most Eminent Father, are trifling and not many. Once again, I apologize for this plight. 

Your Most Reverend Eminence’s 
very devoted
+ JACQUES TEERENSTRA 
Bishop of Doumé

Eminentissime,

Episcopus Afer nuperrime constitutus, haud facile multa, quae ad proximum Oecumenicum Concilium pertineant, proponere possum.

Primum: de Officio Divino: ita brevius effici posse videtur, ut unum tantum Nocturnum, tres vero lectiones, ex vetere vel novo Testamento, ex Patrum Scriptis, vel Sanctae Sedis Litteris, vel denique Sanctorum vita sumptae, accuratius diligentissimeque excerptae, servari possint.

De Divino vero Sacrificio: vota “Liturgici Congressus” qui in Bataviae urbe “Nimegue” habitus est, cum nostris votis menteque omnino consonant.

Praeterea — res et exoptanda et magni momenti esse videtur (in quaestionibus de Matrimonio, praesertim) — Archiepiscopis, vel etiam Episcopis concedantur ampliores facultates. Quibus concessis, et magnae difficultates, et longissimae morae vitari poterunt.

Persaepe omnino tardius ad nos perveniunt mandata, quae postea ad Missionarios deferri debent. Nam si aeronautica via facillime inter continentia patet, ingentia brevissimo tempore percurrens spatia, teneri tamen non possumus, quin recordemur inter diversa nostrarum regionum loca, iter laboriosum tardumque tantum patere per arduas lentissimasque vias.

Eminentissime Pater, Te humiliter precor ut pro nostra Camerunensi Patria, quae paucas post hebdomadas, integram “independentiam” obtentura est, Dominum rogare velis, ut in Regnum suum et in Catholicum Ovile nostras nationes admittere dignetur.

Eminentissime Pater, gratam habe, quaeso, humillimam Nostram in Te reverentiam, sineque Nos Te rogare ut in tuis orationibus memoriam coram Domino facias et Nostri et omnium Nostrae Dioecesis Sacerdotum, Fidelium, Infideliumque.

Tuus Totus in Christo

+ THOMAS MONGO
Episcopus Dualaënsis

Most Eminent,

 As a very recently appointed African bishop, I cannot easily propose many things that pertain to the upcoming Ecumenical Council.

First: concerning the Divine Office: it seems that it can be made shorter in such a way that only one Nocturne but three readings, taken from the Old or New Testament, from the writings of the Fathers, or from the documents of the Holy See, or lastly from the lives of the Saints, more accurately and very diligently selected, could be kept.

On the true Divine Sacrifice: the wishes of the “Liturgical Congress”, which was held in the city of Nijmegen in Batavia, are completely in line with our wishes and mind.

Furthermore – it seems to be both a very desirable and important issue (in questions of Marriage, especially) – greater faculties should be granted to archbishops or even bishops. With these [faculties] granted, both significant difficulties and very long delays will be able to be avoided.

Very often, mandates that should be subsequently delivered to missionaries reach us quite late. For if the aeronautical route between continents is very easily accessible, traversing vast distances in a very short time, nevertheless, we cannot help but recall that between the different parts of our regions, a laborious and slow journey can only be made through arduous and very sticky roads.

Most Eminent Father, I humbly implore you to kindly pray to the Lord for our fatherland Cameroon, which is going to attain complete “independent” in a few weeks, that he may deign to admit our nations into his Kingdom and into the Catholic Fold.

Most Eminent Father, consider acceptable, I entreat, our most humble reverence for You, and allow us to ask you that in your prayers before the Lord, you may remember both us and all the priests, the faithful and the unbelievers of our diocese.   

All Yours in Christ

+ THOMAS MONGO
Bishop of Douala

1. Ut definiatur doctrina Ecclesiae de salute hominum extra Ecclesiam, ad notiones erroneas auferendas.

2. Ut lingua latina in Missis de Ritu Latino absolute retineatur.

3. Ua [sic(ut)] nationalismus omnis refrenetur in rebus liturgicis, et ut uniformitas solide confirmetur, quoniam apud rudes haec uniformitas est lucida demonstratio unitatis Ecclesiae.

4. Ut in Missa lecta fidelibus permittatur uti versionibus approbatis in lingua vernacula etiam elata voce.

5. Ut forma administrationis Baptismi pro adultis tantum adhibeatur quando adulti baptizantur.

 6. Ut clarius exponatur relatio inter Superiores ecclesiasticos et superiores religiosos in locis missionum ubi missionarii religiosi laborant.

 
7. Ut aliqui ex clero indigeno in locis missionum specializatam institutionem in liturgia et cantu Gregoriano recipiant.

 8. Ut Beatus Martinus de Porres canonizetur et ita magnus impetus conversioni tum paganorum tum acatholicorum stirpis Africanae detur.

+ IOANNES A CRUCE ANYOGU
Episcopus tit. Magnesiensis ad Maeandrum
Auxiliaris Onitshaensis

1. That the doctrine of the Church about the salvation of people outside the Church be defined so as to dispel erroneous notions.

2. That Latin be absolutely retained in Latin Rite Masses.

3. That all nationalism in liturgical matters be curbed, and that uniformity be firmly established, for among the uneducated, this uniformity is a lucid demonstration of the unity of the Church.

4. That in the Missa lecta it be permitted  to the faithful to use the approved versions in the vernacular, even with a raised voice.

5. That the form of administering baptism for adults be used only when adults are baptized.

 6. That the relationship between ecclesiastical superiors and religious superiors in places of missions where religious missionaries are working be more clearly explained.

 7. That some of the indigenous clergy in places of missions receive specialized training in liturgy and Gregorian chant.

 8. That Blessed Martin de Porres be canonized, and in such a way a great impetus is given for the conversion of both pagans and non-Catholics of African descent.

+ JOHN CROSS ANYOGU
Titular Bishop of Magnesia ad Maeandrum
Auxiliary of Onitsha

Eminentissime Princeps,

 Pro Litteris, Prot. N. 1 C/59-2589 receptis gratias tibi referre satago. Doleo de magna mora in responsione quia discedi ab Anua, Nigeria pruisquam [sic (priusquam)] litterae tuae advenerant et tandem nuper eas recepi.

Quae sequuntur exponere faveo:

1. De Matrimonio.

 In multis regionibus in Africa saepe viri infideles plures uxores habent. Saepe hae mulieres inter Catechumenos optimos nostros dinumerantur, sed non possunt solutionem a viris suis infidelibus accipere etiamsi solutionem toto corde desiderant et totis viribus quaerant et non licet nobis eas Baptizare. Nobis videtur ut discussio de hac quaestione in Concilio Oecumenico fiat in bonum Ecclesiae.

2. De Seminariis.

 In locis Missionum, propter paucitatem Sacerdotum, saepe non est possibile curam sufficientem ad educationem et disciplinam alumnorum in Seminariis Maioribus et Minoribus. Quaeritur ut Sacerdotes ex Ordinibus et Congregationibus Religiosis qui habent gradus Academicos ad hoc opus speciale destinentur.

Cum summa devotione permaneo, Eminentissime Princeps,

+ DOMINICUS EKANDEM
Episcopus tit. Hierapolitanus in Isauria
Auxiliaris Calabarensis

Most Eminent Prince,

 I am eager to give thanks to you for the received letter, Prot. N. 1 C/59-2589. I am sorry for the long delay in responding because I had departed from Anua, Nigeria before your letter arrived, and I eventually received it recently.

 I favour proposing the following:

1. On Marriage.

 In many regions in Africa, unbelieving men often have many wives. Often, these women are numbered among our best Catechumens, but they are not able to get dissolution from their unbelieving husbands, even if they desire dissolution with all their hearts and strive for it with all their strength, and it is not permitted to us to baptize them. It seems good to us that a discussion on this issue be had in the Ecumenical Council for the good of the Church.

2. On Seminaries.

 In the areas of the missions, due to the paucity of priests, sufficient care for the education and discipline of students in major and minor seminaries is often not possible. It is requested that priests from religious orders and congregations who have academic degrees be designated for this special task.

With utmost devotion, Most Eminent Prince, I remain

+ DOMINIC EKANDEM
Titular Bishop of Hierapolis in Isauria
Auxiliary of Calabar

Eminentissime Princeps,

Aliqua doctrinae capita eorum quae in Concilio Oecumenico tractari debent maxima cum reverentia foliis adnexis Eminentiae Tuae communicamus.

Servus humillimus in Domino
Eminentiae Tuae
+ IOSEPHUS B. WHELAN
Episcopus Overriensis

Most Eminent Prince,

 With utmost reverence, we share with Your Eminence in the attached sheets of paper some doctrinal points which should be discussed in the Ecumenical Council.

Your Eminence’s
very humble servant in the Lord
+ JOSEPH B. WHELAN
Bishop of Owerri

De re dogmatica

1. De Beata Virgine Maria:

Declarare opportunum est doctrinam quae tenet Beatam Virginem Mariam mediatricem esse omnium gratiarum ad fidem pertinere, cum ubique et praedicatur et creditur.

2. De principali offerente in Missa:

In documentis pontificiis recenter editis memoratur Christum in Missa esse principalem offerentem; sacerdotem visibilem partes instrumentales tantum agere; hanc ad doctrinam Catholicam et non tantum ad opinionem theologorum pertinere declarare debet.

3. De Baptismo ab Acatholicis:

Quod ii qui baptizantur, etiam ab Acatholicis, sunt membra Ecclesiae Christi et si invincibiliter ignorant Ecclesiam Romanam Catholicam esse Ecclesiam Christi salvari possunt.

De re morali

Tria capitula textus de theologia morali retractatione indigent:

1. De dono et iniustitia:

Apud plurimas nationes praxis offerendi et acceptandi dona ita viget ut discrimen inter donum et « bribe » non facile servatur et de dono ad iniustitiam facile fit transitus. Notiones et principia clarificari debent.

2. Opus servile:

Opera quae in Dominicis permittuntur vel vetantur non bene notantur per nomina servilium et non servilium.

3. De pretio iusto:

Notiones quae in textibus traduntur et praxis generalis longe ab invicem distant.

+ IOSEPHUS B. WHELAN
Episcopus Overriensis

On dogmatic matter 

1. On the Blessed Virgin Mary:

It is opportune to declare that the doctrine which holds the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mediatrix of all graces pertains to the faith since it is both preached and believed everywhere.

2. On the principal offerer in the Mass:

In recently published pontifical documents, Christ is said to be the principal offerer in the Mass; the visible  priest only plays the instrumental roles; it should be declared that this pertains to Catholic doctrine and not only to the opinion of theologians.

3. On Baptism by non-Catholics:

That those who are baptized, even by non-Catholics, are members of the Church of Christ and can be saved if they are invincibly ignorant that the Roman Catholic Church is the Church of Christ.

On moral matter

Three articles of the text on moral theology require reconsideration:

1. On gift and injustice:

In many nations, the practice of offering and accepting gifts is so prevalent that the distinction between gift and “bribe” is not easily observed, and the transition from gift to injustice happens easily. Notions and principles should be clarified.

2. Servile work:

Works which are permitted or forbidden on Sundays are not well denoted by servile and non-servile names.

3. On just wage:

Notions which are presented in the texts and the general practice are far from each other.

+ JOSEPH B. WHELAN
Bishop of Owerri

Eminentissime ac Reverendissime Pater,

Summa cum reverentia et oboedientia humiliter propono quaestiones sequentes ut in foliis adnexis pro futuro Concilio Oecumenico.

Osculans purpuram Romanam, et provolutus, peto benedictionem Eminentiae Vestrae pro apostolatu nostro apud Afros.

Permaneo Paternitatis Eminentiae Vestrae filius addictissimus,

IACOBUS HAHAN
Administrator Ap. Oturkpoënsis

Most Eminent and Reverend Father,

With the greatest reverence and obedience, I humbly propose the following issues as in the attached leaflets for the future Ecumenical Council.

Kissing the Roman purple and prostrating, I ask the blessing of Your Eminence for our apostolate among Africans.

I remain a very devoted son of Your Eminence’s Paternity,

JAMES HAGAN
Apostolic Administrator of Otukpo

1. Usus amplior linguae vulgaris in Sacramentis conficiendis, et in Benedictionibus conferendis, et in obsequiis.

2. Forma brevior pro recitatione Divini Officii.

3. Ad satisfaciendam legem ieiunii sufficiat ut quantitas cibi minor consuetae sumatur secundum regionem geographicam et diversitatem operum vel munium.

4. Valde desiderabilis ut Dies Pascha sit immobilis: e. g. Dominica prima vel secunda mensis aprilis.

IACOBUS HAHAN
Administrator Ap. Oturkpoënsiss

1.   Greater use of the common language in celebrating the Sacraments, conferring blessings, and funeral rites.

2. Shorter form for the recitation of the Divine Office.

3. To fulfil the law of fasting, let it be sufficient that a smaller quantity of the common food is taken according to the geographical region and the diversity of works or duties.

4. It is very desirable that Easter Day be immovable: e. g. on the first or second Sunday in April.

JAMES HAGAN
Apostolic Administrator of Otukpo