SVD Brothers urged to shine Christ’s light in a wounded world

Divine Word Missionary Brothers in the Ghana-Liberia Province have been challenged to confront the brokenness of the world and the Church with hope, courage, and creativity.

Delivering a soul-stirring presentation on the theme “SVD Brother in a Wounded World (Ad Intra)”, as part of the Province’s Brothers’ Day Celebration held from June 13 to 16 at the Divine Word Catholic Conference Centre, Bro. John Bissue, SVD, called on brothers to embrace their unique identity as “wounded healers,” bringing light, healing, and hope in the midst of global and ecclesial crises.

Drawing inspiration from the 19th General Chapter’s call to become “faithful and creative disciples in a wounded world”, Bro. Bissue reminded participants that the world today is reeling from layers of wounds, social injustice, economic inequality, political instability, environmental degradation, and spiritual emptiness.

“Our Church and society are bleeding,” he declared. “But so are we as individuals and as a missionary society. Yet in our brokenness lies our deepest solidarity with the suffering. The SVD brother must be both a mirror and a balm.”

He lamented the cultural tensions, discrimination, exploitation, corruption, and the deepening mental health crisis, while also confronting wounds within the Church, clerical abuse, disillusionment, and a disconnect between the faithful and Church leadership.

Even within the SVD family, he acknowledged, “some of our own feel unseen, unappreciated or trapped in unhealthy expectations. We must recognise our internal wounds, whether spiritual fatigue, unrecognised service, or divisions among confreres.”

Yet Bro. Bissue’s message was ultimately one of resurrection and renewal.

He urged the brothers to return to the roots of their missionary identity: grounded in the Divine Word, driven by intercultural community life, and sustained by a spirituality rooted in the Trinitarian God.

“Our vocation is not just a job, it is a prophetic witness,” he emphasised. “We are brothers from everywhere for everyone. Wherever we serve; through education, healthcare, media, or community engagement, we must do so with a heart ablaze with God’s Word.”.