Visit to Nigeria

 

La Cattedrale di Lagos
La cathédrale de Lagos
La Catedral de Lagos

 

Visit to Nigeria

August 5, 2026

Last Thursday, July 30, I left for a short visit to Nigeria.

A country six times the size of Italy, Nigeria's Catholic Church is experiencing tremendous growth. Despite (or perhaps because of?) the continual attacks against churches and Christian communities: during the days I was in the country, one priest was killed, and a seminarian was kidnapped.

It is a vibrant Church, with many vocations, active movements, and a committed and responsible laity.

A few months ago, I was contacted by a community called the Brothers of the Merciful Father, who wish to establish a foundation in the Diocese of Bangassou. Our dialogue by email became increasingly frequent, and I was finally able to come for an initial visit.

I left on Thursday and, after spending the night in Addis Ababa, arrived in Lagos on Friday following a five-hour flight aboard a huge, completely full aircraft. There I was welcomed by JohnMary, the founder of the community.

These days have been devoted mainly to discussions on how to help the community become a Society of Apostolic Life, from both a canonical and organizational perspective.

Friday and Saturday were dedicated to this work. Along with the founder were several priests (Vincentians and Spiritans) who have accompanied and supported the community since its beginning.

On Sunday morning, I celebrated Mass at St. Mary Parish (one of ten Sunday Masses!). The church was completely full, including the balconies and even the outdoor areas, where large video screens had been set up.

At 12:30 p.m., we went to the cathedral, where I had the opportunity to meet with the Archbishop of Lagos. During our conversation, he encouraged me to support and welcome this community.

That evening, we flew to Enugu, a beautiful city about one hour from Lagos by air. Upon arrival, we visited the 14 members of the community: mature young men from several countries. In addition to Nigeria, there are members from Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some have already completed their theological studies and are ready for diaconal ordination.

On Monday morning, I celebrated the Eucharist with them, followed by a long meeting during which I presented the Diocese of Bangassou and the possibilities we are considering to assist the community.

After the meetings, we stopped to greet our Carmelite confreres, who have two communities in Enugu.

At around 4:00 p.m. (very approximately!), we departed from Enugu for Lagos.

And now I am on my way to Bangui, and tomorrow, God willing, I will return to Bangassou.

 

 

Moments of Celebration, Remembrance, and Prayer for the Dead

 

Moments of Celebration, Remembrance, and Prayer for the Dead 

July 30, 2026

After the departure of the Apostolic Nuncio and the bishops who came for the Mass inaugurating my episcopal ministry, on Monday the 20th we gathered—the bishop and the priests—for a couple of hours of discussion to share ideas about what the diocese's path might be in the medium and long term. It was a beautiful moment of exchanging ideas, fraternity, and communion.

The construction work on the new church in Lanome is progressing very well. We wanted to build the altar to resemble the one that stood in the old chapel—a work created fifty years ago by an Italian priest from Turin, Father Fedele Villa.

These days we are also concluding the 8th sewing and tailoring course, which has provided 32 women with vocational training, enabling them to establish their own professional and commercial activities.

On Friday, I leave for Gambo, the parish located 75 kilometers away on the road to Bangui.

Here, we have just completed the renovation of the rectory, thanks to the assistance of Propaganda Fide.

I meet the 39 candidates for Confirmation, who have come from Gambo and the surrounding villages. The ones who came from the farthest away walked 100 kilometers on foot!

On Sunday, I celebrate the Confirmation Mass outdoors. The sun is strong, but participation is very high.

In the afternoon, I return to Bangassou, and on Monday the 27th I leave for Bangui.

On June 29, Father Crépin Monga was killed in Zemio. One month later, we wished to celebrate a Memorial Mass for him in the cathedral in Bangui, while in all the parishes of the diocese the communities gathered in prayer throughout the night.

In Bangui, the Mass is presided over by the Cardinal, and concelebrated by myself, the coadjutor bishop of Bangui, and about forty priests.

Many people came for this moment of prayer and hope. Present were Father Crépin's entire family, many religious brothers and sisters, our orphans, and a great number of people originally from the Bangassou region (Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou).

At the offertory, we carried two vessels containing the earth soaked with Father Crépin's blood, which I collected in Zemio. We placed them on the altar, where they remained throughout the celebration. At the end of the Mass, one was entrusted to the family and the other to a priest representing the Diocese of Bangassou.

And so Father Crépin, this seed that fell to the earth and died, remains and bears fruit—a fruit of peace.

Lanome

Corso di taglio e cucito 
Cours de coupe et couture
Curso de costura

Gambo

Beginning of a New Journey

   

Beginning of a New Journey

July 21, 2026

The diocese of Bangassou is young: just 62 years old. Founded by Paul VI in 1964, it has had two great bishops: Bishop Antoine Marie Maanicus, a Dutchman, from 1964 to 2000, and Mong Juan José Aguirre, a Spaniard, from 2000 to 2026.

And on Sunday, July 19, 2026, I began my ministry as the third bishop of this enormous and beautiful diocese.

On Friday, July 17, the Nuncio, his secretary, three other bishops (Bishop Mirek Gucwam from Bouar, Bishop Richard Appora from Bambari, and Bishop Jesus Molina Ruiz from Mbaiki), and Brother Aimé Radjabo, a Carmelite, arrived.

I am here to testify to the closeness of the Universal Church and the Episcopal Conference to the Diocese of Bangassou, which is embarking on a new journey.

I accompany them on a tour of the diocese, showing them the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, the Casa Speranza for the elderly, the Seminary, the Cathedral, and I take them to Lanome, where work on the new church is progressing well.

By Sunday morning, everything is ready. The diocese and the city have committed themselves to making this a historic moment! The Cathedral has been cleaned and repainted, decorated with fabrics and flowers. Others are preparing the songs and dances, and about twenty women are busy cooking and preparing the festive meal, for the poor and the guests.

At 8:15, the procession begins. All the priests of the diocese are present, along with a large crowd.

At the entrance to the church, we pause for a moment at the tomb of Bishop Maanicus, buried here.

The celebration opens with the Nuncio, who introduces me to the people of God. The President of the Episcopal Conference does so in Sango.

After a brief prayer, the Nuncio entrusts me with the pastoral staff and has me sit on the "cathedra," the seat reserved for the bishop.

Immediately afterward, the priests come before me, the new bishop of Bangassou, to profess their obedience and their desire to journey together. After the priests, several representatives of the people of God come: a couple, two young people, two orphaned children, two elderly people, two catechists...

And it is time for the Gloria, which explodes in the nave of the Cathedral.

The Word of God is very rich. In the homily, I focus on the Gospel in particular. The Gospel of Matthew offers us three beautiful parables (the weeds, the yeast, and the mustard seed) that help me explain the mission of the Bishop. And we bring the entire diocese into prayer, all those who have worked to spread the Gospel, and Abbé Crépin, killed three weeks ago, and all the people of God.

After Communion, there is a very long offertory, a sign and testimony of affection for the new bishop.

The Mass, which began at 8:30 a.m., ends at 11:30 a.m.

Lunch follows, a simple sign of brotherhood and sharing.

An important day, during which the affection and faith of the people of Bangassou amazed me and filled me with peace and joy.

Have a good journey!

Sul fiume
au fleuve
El rio

Lanome

Sulla tomba di don Crépin
Sur le tombeau de l'abbé Crépin
En la tumba de Don Crépin

In visita al Centro orfani Mama Tongolo
En visite au Centre des orphélins Maman Tongolo
Visitando el Centro de Huérfanos Mama Tongolo

In prayer and meeting with the priests and parish delegates of the diocese!

 

In prayer and meeting with the priests and parish delegates of the diocese!

July 14, 2026

On Wednesday, July 8, I managed to leave Zemio and return to Bangassou.

In theory, we should have begun the diocesan spiritual exercises on Monday, July 6. But it's the rainy season, and both the Preacher and I were stranded—he in Bangui, I in Zemio—because many flights have been canceled.

At 4:30 PM on Wednesday, we gathered in the seminary with the priests and some nuns of the diocese to begin the Spiritual Exercises: a few days of silence and prayer, listening to the Word of God.

I opened the exercises with a reflection on the recent events that have shaken the diocese: the tragedy of the killing of Father Crépin, the mourning, but also the faith and consolation with which the Lord has accompanied us. And the fraternity among the priests.

During these days, we are guided by the Gospel of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman.

We conclude the Exercises on Sunday evening with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration. At the end, we read the decrees of the various appointments and transfers.

On Monday, July 13th, we begin the Pastoral Meeting.

About seventy people have arrived from (almost) every parish in the diocese.

During the first three days, we share reports from the parishes and various commissions and work on the theme of the pastoral year, which will be:

From Thursday to Saturday, Fr. Marcello, who has come from Baoro, will assist parish priests and catechists with training on preparing couples for marriage.

And on Friday, the Nuncio, his secretary, and three other bishops (from Bouar, Bambari, and Mbaiki) are expected to arrive to celebrate together, on Sunday, July 19th, the beginning of my official episcopal ministry here in Bangassou.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." (Psalm 126)

Messa di chiusura degli esercizi spirituali
Messe de cloture de la retraite spirituelle
Misa de clausura de los Ejercicios Espirituales

Lavori in corso
Travaux...
Obras en curso

 

Pilgrimage to Zemio

 

Pilgrimage to Zemio

The day after the funeral, I’m setting off for Zemio. MINUSCA (the Blue Helmets) have managed to arrange a seat for me on their plane.

We set off at around 11.00, and at 12.30 we stop over in Obo, where I am able to embrace the priests of that parish. We take off again after nearly an hour and arrive in Zemio at around 2.00. With me is Father Gervais, the parish priest of Zemio, who had been in Bangui for a few weeks.

We pass through a strangely (and eerily) silent town and arrive at the Mission, where we find a few dozen parishioners coming to meet us in tears…

In the afternoon, I meet with the catechists and parish councillors: the murder of Father Crépin is an extremely serious act. Much of the population had already fled to neighbouring Congo, and those who remain are at a loss. The presence of the priests here at the Mission was their only point of reference. One woman tells me that, when they flee the neighbourhood to take refuge here in the parish, their only light is the Eucharist celebrated every morning!

Towards evening, around a hundred people gather in the Mission’s courtyard for a prayer vigil that lasts all night, concluding with Mass at 5.45.

On Friday 3 July, given that the authorities had not even deigned to come and offer their condolences, we set off on foot to visit them, hoping to get some answers regarding the killing of Father Crépin. But we return with more questions than answers: the priest was killed 20 metres from the Mission, just a few metres from a government military checkpoint… He who had worked so hard for peace, dialogue and mediation!

In the afternoon, I met the young people who had set off on motorbikes and taken the body to Dembia, 80 km away. On their return, they were stopped by the rebels, who took their mobile phones, money and two motorbikes!

On Saturday morning, after a second night of vigil, we celebrated Mass in memory of Father Crépin. The church was full, and here too I celebrated in red vestments, as for a martyr.

Some officials were present, whilst the prefect arrived at the end of Mass and left immediately afterwards…

At the end of the celebration, we went on a pilgrimage to the spot where Father Crépin was killed. We gathered some of the earth, soaked in his blood: some will remain here in the parish, some will go to Bangassou, and some to his family. Here we want to build a small monument, to serve as a place of prayer and remembrance, but also as a call to conscience!

On Sunday we celebrate Mass at 8.30. Present are the catechumens whom Father Crépin had baptised on Sunday 28 June, the day before he was murdered!

I ask them to stand up and offer them words of encouragement, because in this first week since their baptism, they have already experienced a whole lifetime: the gift of baptism, the death of the priest, faith in the Resurrection, and the embrace of the whole Church!

In the afternoon, I go into town and buy the only bag of cement needed to start work on the memorial! Cost: 60 euros!

Over the next few days, we want to begin securing the spot where Father Crépin was killed.

 

Someone who was at the seminary in Bouar when I was the director (more than 23 years ago), having seen a photo of the site, sent me a donation specifically for this purpose!

The nights are often interrupted by the sound of gunfire and machine-gun fire…

I was due to leave on Monday morning, but the flight was cancelled.

Tuesday, same story…

And Wednesday… let’s hope so!

Whilst I’m waiting for my flight, I’ve got time to catch up on some work. And to read.

On Saturday 4 July, whilst we are celebrating Mass here in Zemio for Abbé Crépin, Pope Leo XIV is in Lampedusa, a port of refuge for thousands of people who are doing everything they can to escape poverty and war. Some of his words strike me:

“Love always lies in freedom, and freedom lies in decisions. There are also those who choose not to be a neighbour and those who decide not to decide. Those who die in this sea are victims both of decisions made and of decisions not made. Indifference to the common good and corruption in their countries of origin, (…) : all this echoes today, from the Gospel account, the haste to ‘pass by’ (Luke 10:31–32).”

Zemio