Dr. Anthony P. DiPerna, now retired, was an adjunct professor of history at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY where he taught African history. He received a B.S.S. in history at Fordham University, an M.A. at N.Y.U., and a Ph.D. in history at St. John’s University. Dr. DiPerna had a 28 year career in public education as a teacher and administrator. In 1969 he traveled to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to research primary sources for his doctoral dissertation on early Rhodesian history. He visited mission schools, hospitals, bush clinics, tribal kraals and the mysterious Zimbabwe ruins. He appeared on Rhodesian TV where he discussed his research. Dr. DiPerna’s book, A Right to Be Proud: The Struggle for Self-Government and the Roots of White Nationalism in Rhodesia, 1890-1922. (Bulawayo [Zimbabwe]: Books of Rhodesia, 1978) was a Rhodesia History Book Club selection. Also, he authored two entries in the 2001 Magill’s Guide to Military History, and three entries in the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought. Dr. DiPerna has lectured widely on the political, military and historical aspects of Rhodesia’s transition to Zimbabwe that took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During the Korean War, he served as an infantry and intelligence officer in the United States Marine Corps. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserves, and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 23 years. He now lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife, Marilyn. The couple has four children and two grandchildren. Dr. DiPerna is a lector at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Boca Raton, Florida.

Abstract One

Mother Patrick and Catholic Missionary Work in Central Africa

In the late 19^th century, Jesuit missionaries made a valiant effort to evangelize Africans in Central Africa, but failed. Later, they returned with Dominican nursing Sisters to provide medical services. That proved to be the key to a reversal of fortunes. Their return was in conjunction with Cecil Rhodes’ plan to make Central Africa a British sphere of influence. To that end, Rhodes organized pioneers to settle in the wilderness that eventually would become Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Irish-born Mother Patrick (Mary Ann Cosgrave) led four other Sisters into that land where they established hospitals, schools and orphanages for both black and white children. She and her followers won the hearts of all because of their selfless devotion to their patients and students. That legacy contributed greatly to the extraordinary success of Catholic evangelization in Rhodesia, and the place of honor held by Mother Patrick in the country’s history. In 1969, Dr. DiPerna traveled to Rhodesia to research original sources for his doctoral dissertation. While there, he visited a Dominican convent and mission school, and was able to make arrangements to receive copies of Mother Patrick’s diary and personal letters. Those documents formed the basis of his study of that remarkable missionary nun.

Abstract Two

Centesimus Annus, Catholic Social Teaching and Sub-Saharan Africa

Conventional wisdom held that de-colonization in sub-Saharan Africa would lead to prosperity for the newly-independent nations. Now, almost fifty years later, most of those countries are mired in poverty under dysfunctional governments. The term kleptocracy has been applied to most of those governments, and there is little evidence that any significant improvements are taking place. Most of the newly-independent countries have followed the socialist model, and despite massive foreign aid, have fallen behind other Third World economies. One must conclude that independence under socialism has failed in sub-Saharan Africa. What is to be done? Pope John Paul II made a valiant effort to rescue sub-Saharan Africa from its disorder as evidenced by his ten pilgrimages there. His 1991 encyclical, Centesimus Annus, contains principles of Catholic social teaching that offer guidelines for improved economic development and a better life for Africans.

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