The Church in the island nation is celebrating as the Diocese of Morondava gets a new Co-Cathedral in the town of Miandrivazo.
The local Bishop blessed the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on May 1, the same day the universal Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.
“I congratulate you for this work that you are doing,” the Holy Father said in his message, “and I congratulate you for all the educational, social, and religious work you are doing.”
The Pope expressed special appreciation for a diocesan project to build a water canal to provide irrigation water for local crops. The canal is more than 50 kilometers long and will provide water to irrigate more than 2,000 hectares of rice paddies.
Pope Francis concluded his video message by blessing the project and the new Cathedral in Miandrivazo.
“I ask St. Joseph the protect you,” he said. “I join all of you in blessing this new Cathedral. May God bless you!”
Saturday’s celebration was presided over by Bishop Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, who spoke to Vatican News about the way the local community joined forces to build the Co-Cathedral.
He thanked the Pope for his fatherly gaze despite the physical distance.
“With his heart, he sees what happens thousands of kilometers away and is invisible to most eyes,” said the Bishop. “This Co-Cathedral—which was built by 200 poor stonemasons, both men and women—will allow the people to feel closer to God.”
He said the project was only possible because of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Madagascar in September 2019.
That event, said the Bishop, inspired one woman and her family to donate funds to build a health clinic and the Co-Cathedral blessed on Saturday.
“Her brother had left her an inheritance,” said Bishop Raharilamboniaina. “His name was Joseph. And the Pope has dedicated this year to St. Joseph. The neighborhood where this Co-Cathedral was built has St. Joseph as its patron.”
The Bishop-emeritus of the Diocese of Morondava is also named Joseph, who will turn 90 in June. “All these circumstances show us the will of God,” said the Bishop.
Miandrivazo lies around 300 kilometers from the diocesan seat in Morondava. The area is made up of 80 percent of people who follow ancestral religions and 15 percent of Catholics. “Yet, the animists are very open to the Gospel,” said Bishop Raharilamboniaina.
