The 109th World Esperanto Congress in Tanzania, attended by 850 people from 66 countries, focused on scientific and cultural events, translation, and environmental issues. The International Catholic Esperantist Union addressed environmental issues and held an ecumenical service and mass.
By Marija Belošević*
The 109th World Esperanto Congress took place in the city of Arusha, Tanzania, from 3 to 10 August 2024. It is one of the most important conferences for Esperanto speakers, with 850 participants from 66 countries across five continents.
During the week, various programs were carried out: special programs, scientific programs, cultural programs, etc. The International Union of Catholic Esperantists (IKUE – Internacia Katolika Unuiĝo Esperantista) played an important role in the event.
The theme of the conference was “Language, Man and Environment for a Better World” and the International Catholic Esperantist Union compiled two important Esperanto translations: the encyclical “Laudato Si'” and the apostolic petition “Laudato Deum”. The translated texts are the result of the collaboration of around ten professional Esperanto translators.
During the conference, both editions were presented, sparking interesting discussions on environmental protection and awareness of the preservation of “our common home”.
IKUE President Marija Belošević contributed to the overall theme of the conference with a speech on the theme of “Laudato Si'”.
During the week of the conference, IKUE organized an ecumenical prayer service and mass, celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Teresa and the Infant Jesus by Mr. Gabriel Anda, an Esperanto-speaking priest from the Diocese of Edea, Cameroon.
The first such conference to be held in Africa provided an opportunity for many local Esperantists, including accomplished speakers of the international language, to meet and converse, many of whom were also interested in the Catholic Esperantist movement.
Catholic Esperantists established organizations in the early 20th century, and Catholics developed a strong interest in the Esperantist language shortly after Lázaro Ludovico Zamenhof published two manuals and a dictionary in 1887.
The pioneer of the Esperantist Catholic movement was Father Emile Pelletier, who was instrumental in the publication of the international journal Espero Católica (Catholic Hope) in 1903. This was the official journal of IKUE and is now one of the oldest Esperanto journals in the world.
In 1905, Catholic Esperantists met for the first time in Boulogne-sur-Mer and celebrated the first mass in Esperanto, with Zamenhof in attendance. In 1909, Catholics held several conventions in Barcelona, and on April 1, 1910, the first Congress of Catholic Esperanto (also called IKUE) was held in Paris.
In 1990, a decree from the Congregation for Divine Liturgy laying down the rules for celebrating Mass in Esperanto allowed the publication of the Esperanto Missal.
On February 11, 1992, IKUE was recognized as a private association of the faithful by a decree of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
IKUE's charism is to use Esperanto to follow Jesus' command to “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), and to demonstrate the unity of the Church by using an international language in its liturgy and apostolic activities, thereby contributing to mutual understanding among human beings.
Publications and information: The IKUE magazine, “Espero Katolika” and Vatican Radio broadcasts in Esperanto disseminate the Church's teachings in Esperanto.
For the past four years, IKUE has also been working intensively in the virtual field: meetings and conferences have been organized, and unique daily rosary recitations have been held in which Esperantists from all over the world participate: Brazil, Cuba, the United States, European countries, Korea, the Philippines, etc.
Charitable activities have increased, specifically with ongoing support to a parish in Cameroon (Edéa Parish, Mouanko) where IKUE has installed solar panels, set up a fish farming project and established a school for children.
The patron saints of Catholic Esperantists are Our Lady of Hope, St. Pius X, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Paul II, and St. Titus Brandsma.
*President of the International Catholic Esperantist Union
