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The
nation’s high court ruled on Jan. 25 that neither candidate had
won enough votes to be declared president, and set a second round
of voting for Feb. 24. The announcement triggered widespread strikes
and massive protest demonstrations by supporters of the opposition
candidate. The opposition still demands that the first count be
looked into and has asked international advisors to recount the
first vote.
McGregor
reported on Feb. 5 that the Central Bank had been closed for over
a week, and that the capital, Antananarivo, had been declared
a "dead town" for the day, with airport, banks, shops,
public transportation and schools all closed.
He
says that although George Bush has written to Rasiraka, asking
that he step down peacefully, the 20% of the military who back
the former president are ready to fight to keep him in power.
He
adds that the archbishop feels the situation is worse than in
1991, when the country was "shut down for months" by
a general strike and 137 people were massacred by Ratsiraka's
troops shooting from a helicopter.
The
archbishop himself is on a list of persons—including three other
religious leaders (Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed)—who
would be arrested if Ratsiraka remains in power. He told the McGregors
that he may need to leave Antananarivo and flee into the countryside
for his own safety. "He is a bit concerned for his life,
but even more so for the truth to be revealed in this country,"
says McGregor.
In
the midst of the crisis, though, McGregor believes there is hope--the
opposition Presidential candidate, Marc Ravalomanana, is a dedicated
Christian, who has urged his supporters to keep the demonstrations
peaceful. Before each demonstration in the capital since the end
of December, there is an hour-long service at one of the local
churches--Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican or Reformed. The
churches seem to be a force behind change, the missionary says.
"Change
can be a good thing, but growth can also be painful," McGregor
says. "Please keep this country in your prayers."
He
asks prayers specifically for protection for "Archbishop
Rémi" and his family and for Ravalomanana, whose life
has been threatened; "for many innocent lives--that bloodshed
would be kept to a minimum"; and "that the truth would
be revealed and God's will would be done for the good of Madagascar".
He also asks for prayers for "stability and peace for our
family"; McGregor, his wife Patsy and daughters Corby and
Charese, are scheduled to be on furlough in Florida beginning
in August of this year, but now fear they will have to leave their
ministry in Madagascar "sooner than we think".
| Fr.
Todd McGregor and his family plan to be on furlough
in Florida from August 20-December 20 of this year.
Any parish that would like to have the McGregors
visit during that time to talk about their ministry
in Madagascar should contact the Chapel of St. Andrew,
(561) 483-8044, for further information and scheduling. |
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| Unfinished
business—The exterior of the Anglican Education
Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was substantially
completed by December of last year, but according
to Fr. McGregor, completion of the interior--painting,
tile, wood floors, bathroom toilets, bath, cabinets,
fixtures—must wait until the diocese can raise additional
$25,000. Southeast Florida parishioners continue
to contribute toward this work |
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Mary
W. Cox is Director of Communications for the Diocese of Southeast
Florida.
Update
from Madagascar, 2-20-02
Update
from Madagascar, 2-23-02 
Full
Text of Fr. McGregor's Letter
Click
here for more information on People Reaching People in Madagascar
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