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The Church In the Province of the Indian Ocean is made up of six (6) dioceses: Mauritius, the Seychelles, Antananarivo, Toamasina, Antsiranana, and Mahajanga. Within the framework of the peace and justice situation in our region, it is necessary, first, to look at the level of development of these dioceses since 1970. A distinction has to be made between the two small islandsÑMauritius and SeychellesÑand the big island, Madagascar.
Mauritius. Called 'the Tiger of the Southwest Indian Ocean,' Mauritius has known a great economic development since 1980, thanks to modern industry and its entry into international markets. Private companies, a minority of capitalists, industrialists - but certainly not the whole population - have been able to take advantage of this economic progress. The social consequence of these developments is the emergence of an affluent elite class, holding the money and political power, as contrasted with a class of 'have-nots,' primarily Creoles from the country's poorest towns. Following the prison death of a popular Creole singer, Kaya, there were riots in several towns, leaving three dead and 40 injured. These events gave rise to an urgent appeal to the government, by the poor, for social justice and a general improvement of living conditions. Meeting these peace and justice concerns, it was stressed, would be a safeguard against future unrest.
The Seychelles. Composed of several islands, this country has known a great tourist development of tourism in recent years, thanks to its tropical climate, the beauty of its landscape and beaches, and its luxury tourist facilities. Here, too, we can find two distinct social classes: on the one hand, the country's wealthy businessmen who have adopted the western standard of living of the developed countries and of the international tourists, and on the other hand, the majority of the Creole population who have not been able to fully benefit from this economic expansion, but continue their traditional life with some improvements. The government is trying to improve conditions for the nation's marginalized population through social measures aimed at improving the infrastructure of public health, education, and housing.
However, one must admit that in the Seychelles as in Mauritius, relatively rich and developed island nations, there is a still dramatic split between the rich and the poor. In order to make peace and justice reign, the governments of these island nations must ensure a more equitable sharing of the economic benefits of developing economies. The main role of the church is to remind political and economic leaders of their responsibility to improve the lot of their less advantaged citizens. However, the standard of living of these countries is relatively satisfactory compared with conditions in Madagascar.
Madagascar. Madagascar is a very large island, administratively composed of 6 provinces which are quite different, one from another, in respect to population, economic potential, and general level of development. The island has four Anglican dioceses: Antsiranana (which corresponds to the province of the same name), Mahajanga (also corresponding to a province), Toamasina (incorporating the province of the same name and the province of Fianarantsao), and Antananarivo (incorporating the province of the same name and the province of Toliara).
We should mention that Madagascar has now begun using a new amended constitution which delegates a good deal of governmental authority to the provinces. We have not yet measured the impact of these changes on the life of the dioceses. From an economic point of view, the common problem of the four dioceses is directly connected to the problem of poverty in those areas. In trying to understand this situation, one must consider two issues: first of all, the government's administrative and economic policy in Madagascar and, secondly, the Christian church's action in the fight against the flagrant impoverishment of the people.
Situation in Madagascar
The administrative and economic policy in Madagascar. For the economic reforms, the privatization of state companies (commerce, industry, transport) are going to result in job losses, unemployment, and will, in general, worsen the economic situation of the country's people. This situation has been aggravated by natural disasters (cyclones, floods, a plague of locusts) and anthropic pressures - 'bush fires,' for example, which destroy the natural environment. The diocese of Toamasina, for instance, in 1996 the cyclone Geralda caused economic damage on to shipping in the harbor and the area's oil refinery - stopping production for two years. And the storm also caused severe coastal erosion, destroying seaside villas and roads. Inland, resultant floods claimed lives and local settlements that were wiped out by the high waters. The soil was sterilized by deposits of sand. In the aftermath of the cyclone, the government and international bodies supplied food and medicine to the people of the devastated areas and granted subsidies to administrative officials to restore or rebuild schools and hospitals, for instance. But in general, the disaster victims, having, in many cases, lost their main means of support, are getting poorer and poorer. Another calamity, the infestation of locusts that lasted more than a year, and caused major damage to the cultures of the areas affected.
On the whole, this terrible economic situation, caused by natural disasters and aggravated by the weight of international debt, will not lend itself to a quick solution of the overall problem of poverty in Madagascar. Nevertheless, improvement is necessary if the country is to avoid a social explosion.
Thus, the question is raised as to what the action of the Christian churches will be in the fight against poverty in Madagasar.
The Christian churches' role. The answer is found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, chapter 25, verse 40, in which we read, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!' Certainly, some solutions leading to a quick improvement of the standard of living of the people of Madagascar can be taken by the government and by the churches.
Government. One government objective was four percent economic growth in 1998 over 1997 levels. There is also an agenda to improve basic infrastructure (roads) in specific areas and social services (health, education) involving sector-based policies to encourage rural production through micro-credit facilities. Finally, for infants and young people, the setting up of SECALINE (food security) centers providing both food and education for four to fourteen-year-olds.
Christian Churches. Actions are taken at the diocesan level, on the one hand, and at the parish or congregational level on the other hand.
At the diocesan level
The Mothers Union devotes itself to a broad range of social work:
- It provides assistance to the very poor from donations collected during important Christian holidays (Christmas, Easter, for instance).
- It takes part in relief efforts during and following natural disasters such as floods (aid to the homeless, distribution of food, clothes, and medicine).
- It participates in training programs to help women learn basic household skills (cooking, sewing, baby care). Mother's Union delegates travel to different districts to offer training sessions.
- Finally, the MotherÕs Union, in a three-year project, built an orphanage, a center to shelter children, through the impetus of Mary Sherwood. The center now shelters 25 children under the direction of the MothersÕ Union.
- And also at the diocesan level, there is a community of Anglican nuns who participate in social work (running dispensaries, etc.) in the villages near the centers.
- Likewise, regional dispensaries, supervised by a doctor and a medical staff, have been set up to provide first aid treatment and medications. Without dispensaries in villages like Anosibe n Ala and Faratsiho, whose roads are impassable at least 4 or 5 months in rainy seasons, the people would otherwise be stranded in case of medical emergencies.
The church needs to take vigorous action to engage its young people in projects aimed at developing their country. Active university chaplaincies and organized youth movements can help make this engagement a reality. A first step would be for the church to send experts to Madagascar to run trainers' and leaders' training workshops.
Perspectives. Anglican Christians, as responsible citizens, need to contribute to the fight against poverty in a number of ways. Materially, they can collect and organize the distribution of consumer goods and medicines. Intellectually, they can make a great contribution by creating job possibilities, sponsoring basic education training workshops, and by continuing their support of church-supported schools and social programs.
Conclusion. In Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, the fight against poverty is one of the priority policies of the government, with specific actions aimed at improving the overall standard of living. The country's Anglican community also tries, through its involvement in social programs and basic education, to provide a framework for forming responsible Christian citizens.
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