Report on IDC Conference: Vienna 2009

INTERNATIONAL DIACONATE CENTRE

VIENNA CONFERENCE 26 - 30 MARCH 2009

AFRICA DELEGATION REPORT

African Delegation

On the Wednesday 25th March 2009 the Southern Africa Delegation left from the O R Tambo International airport for Vienna. The Delegation was as follows:

Cardinal Wilfred Napier - Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa

Bishop Philipp Pöllitzer - Diocese of Keetmanshoop, Namibia & President of IDC IMBISA

Fr Christoph Eisentraunt - IDC member

Dcn Wally Adams - Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dcn Charles Dube - Archdiocese of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Dcn Tony de Freitas - Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa

Dcn Greg Garnie - Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dcn Joseph Matsheng - Diocese of Gabarone, Botswana

Dcn Eugene Tito - Archdiocese of Cape Town, South Africa

Apologies

Dcn Franziskus Ananias of the Diocese of Windhoek, Namibia was unable to attend the conference due to a medical condition that arose at the last minute.

Vote of Thanks

The funding for the Africa delegation to participate in the international conference was made available by sponsors via the IDC. We sincerely thank the sponsors for their generosity and support. We are truly grateful. During the conference we stayed at Pallotti Haus which is a twenty minute walk from the Conference Centre which was at Kardinal König Haus.

Program

The Conference began on the evening of Thursday 26th March 2009 and the theme of the Conference was, 'Diaconal Spirituality yesterday, today, tomorrow'. There were approximately 180 participants from 30 countries around the world. There were also representatives, Deaconess’ from the Lutheran Evangelical church.

The opening address was given by IDC president Dcn Rob Mascini. During the four day conference among the speaker's were Cardinal Wilfred Napier; Dcn Prof DDr. Klaus Kiessling, IDC Vice-president; Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai India who could not make it and sent Fr Gilbert Da Lima from the diocese of Mumbia to represent him.

Some of the topics given were:

1. Spirituality as a source of strength as we face global challenges.
2. How can the deacon of tomorrow live with greater Spirituality

The Conference was in more ways than one very inspiring and the group discussions covered topics that related to the deacon in various situations that are affecting the church community and society as a whole. The participants from Africa were put into one of the 12 discussion or work groups. However, it was group 9 that dealt with the theme of Deacons in Southern Africa and the fight against HIV/AIDS. This work group was chaired by Dcn Greg Garnie and Bishop Philipp Pöllitzer. It was four days of intense formal and informal talks, discussions and networking. The daily Mass was truly needed to carry us through the day.

Elections
On Friday 27^th March 2009 there was the election of a new IDC executive board made up of four people and eight delegates who will be responsible for the management and development of the IDC programs for the next four years. Dcn Greg Garnie was elected as one of the delegates. On Saturday 28^th March 2009 the new IDC board approved the co-option of Fr Gilbert da Lima of Mumbia, India and Dcn Charles Dube of Zimbabwe as additional delegates. The new IDC board is very representative of the universal church.

Tours
Important as the conference was, the Holy Mass at St Stephen Cathedral on Sunday 29^th March 2009, was the climax. This was concelebrated by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Cardinal Wilfred Napier and Bishop Philipp Pöllitzer. Despite this being the only cloudy and rainy day, there was no way the weather could dampen our spirits!!

From this Mass we went for lunch in downtown Vienna. Now who will ever forget the enjoyable half chicken and chips, not to mention the rolls! From the restaurant we boarded one of two buses and went on a sight seeing trip of the beautiful city of Vienna.

We visited a Cistercian Monastery, where the monks actually waited in order that we could participate in their afternoon prayer. What a privilege to just sit in the presence of the monks allowing one self to float on the wings of their prayers!

From there it was on to a wine village a light meal and extra special wine for us. I should say for those who enjoy a glass of good wine and song! Thereafter, we then returned to Pallotti Haus.


Africa Day Meeting
On Monday 30^th March 2009, the Africa delegation held an Africa day mini-conference. This conference dealt with the aspect of the IDC IMBISA formerly known as the IDCSAR. It covered constitutional and structural elements needed for the IDC IMBISA to function. The minutes of this meeting have been prepared and are available. In summary the following were elected to the executive committee of the IDC IMBISA:

Chairman - Dcn Greg Garnie
Vice-Chairmen - Dcn Charles Dube and Dcn Wally Adam
Secretary - To be co-opted
Treasurer - To be co-opted

Conclusion
All in all the entire experience was enriching, meaningful, well planned and well catered for. There was a well defined vision for the diaconate as a whole and for the Southern African diaconate in particular. We were able to draw on the universal experiences of deacons and to see the bigger picture of who we are as Permanent Deacons and the scope of our ministry. Most importantly this international conference revealed the need for deacons all over the world and in particular, Southern Africa to overcome the isolation from the universal experience and growth of the diaconate.

It could be seen that all deacons, irrespective of geographic location, can and must contribute to the universal study, development and identity of the Permanent Deacon.

Report Prepared By:
Dcn. Wally Adams
Vice-Chairman
IDC IMBISA