Madagascar Independence Day

A Proud Nation

Friday of this week, June 26, marks the 66^th anniversary of Madagascar independence. There are many events celebrating the Malagasy national day, as there is in Canada on July 1^st and in America on July 4^th. In each case people celebrate and give thanks for their nation’s unique characteristics and for the privileges and opportunities which each nation affords its residents.

It is quite striking to me the national pride in Madagascar. In the smallest, most remote, most poor villages, each simple home proudly hangs a Malagasy flag. And while Madagascar remains the 8^th poorest country in the world, while it can therefore, no doubt, be at times a difficult place to live, there is nonetheless an appropriate Malagasy pride.

There is also a deep Christian religious fervor which at this time of year is seeing both in church and state as politicians and priests together give thanks to God for His protection and provision for this Madagascar nation. This is certainly not the case in my experience in Canada. Canada has become a purely secular state, and has in many ways, sadly, lost its historic Christian perspective. Not so in Madagascar.

Yesterday I attended an ecumenical service of prayer and thanksgiving for the nation. The Roman Catholic cathedral was full of servicemen politicians and Christians singing, praying, and thanking God for Madagascar. With sermon from Romans articulated clearly the Christians responsibility to be subject to the ruling authorities, and at the same time the ruling authorities needing to be subject to God himself. It was quite remarkable.

Would to God that Canada was the same.