Bishops on the Move

 

   

Bishops on the Move

21 June 2026

 

Following the episcopal consecration of Mgr Joseph on Saturday in Bangui Cathedral, the following day, Monday 15 June, the bishops of the Central African Republic gathered at the Nunciature for a meeting with the bishop who had come from Rome for the occasion.

In the afternoon, we met a group of women leaders, with whom we discussed the hostages in Bambouti (on the border with South Sudan). They were taken at the end of December, and we are faced with parties that are unwilling to negotiate: neither the rebels nor the state…

On Tuesday morning, at 5.20, we set off in a convoy with all the bishops for the Assembly we are holding in Berberati, 600 km away. The roads range from bad to dreadful… and we arrive at our destination at 19.20!

Despite the late hour, we find a huge crowd waiting for us in the Cathedral to welcome us!

We are here for the whole week, for a time of fellowship, formation and brotherhood.

Every morning we begin with the celebration of Mass, and then the meetings get underway.

On Friday afternoon, we split up among the various parishes in the city for a time of fellowship and dialogue, which we conclude with the celebration of Mass.

At the Sacred Heart parish, I come across a large group of people from Bozoum, whom I am delighted to greet!

On Saturday afternoon, there is a cultural event, featuring dancing and singing.

On Sunday morning, Mass is scheduled to take place outdoors at 8.30, but it is pouring with rain, and we are forced to wait.

The service finally begins at 10.30, with a huge crowd who have come not only from the city but also from other parishes in the diocese.

At the end of the service (at 2.30 pm!), the final message from the Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference is read out. Its theme is ‘I saw a new heaven and a new earth’ (Rev 21:1), and it emphasises the protection of creation.

Here it is: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:7bad8f00-5e51-4cf8-a858-1607529d7dd4

And on Monday morning, at around 4 o’clock, we’ll be setting off for Bangui again… hoping it doesn’t rain!

Arrivo a Berberati
Accueil à Berberati
LLevada en Berberati

Messa di chiusura
Messe de cloture

 

One bishop comes, another goes.

 

Lanome

One bishop comes, another goes.

June 14, 2026

Mgr. Aguirre left Bangassou on Friday, and I accompanied him to Bangui airport, where he departed for Spain.

I came to Bangui for two major events: the priestly ordination of two young Carmelites and the consecration of a new coadjutor bishop in Bangui. I flew down Thursday afternoon.

On Saturday, in the parish of Our Lady of Africa in Bangui, I ordained two young men, Aristide and Leonce.
Aristide was originally from Bangassou and was in Bangui studying to become a nurse when he encountered the Carmel.
Léonce, on the other hand, was born in Congo to parents who had fled Rwanda.  Then the ways of the Lord brought him to Central Africa, and today, Saturday, June 13, he became a priest, together with Aristide.
The presence of many people from Rwanda allowed us to admire their beautiful traditional dances, which accompanied the offertory and then lunch.

On Sunday, June 14th, another great event took place: Father Joseph Samedi, a Jesuit from Central Africa, was consecrated Coadjutor Archbishop of Bangui, alongside Cardinal Nzapalainga.
The Mass, which began at 9:30 a.m., ended at 2:00 p.m.! There were so many people, inside and outside the cathedral: it was the people of God celebrating the new pastor!

Ordinazioni sacerdotali a Bangui
Les ordinations sacerdotales à Bangui
Ordenaciones sacerdotales en Bangui

Mons Joseph Samedi

 

A Tiptoe Departure

 

 

A Tiptoe Departure

June 8, 2026

In recent days, in addition to following the work on the new church in Lanome, attention has been focused on Bishop Juan José Aguirre, who left the diocese today, after 28 years as bishop.

He wanted to leave quietly, very discreetly, and did not want any solemn celebrations.

With a little persistence, I managed to convince him to "give" a day to the priests and religious of the diocese.

So on Friday, June 5th, his 72nd birthday, almost all the priests and nuns of the diocese gathered for a day of celebration, thanksgiving, and testimony.

In the morning, he wanted to retrace with us his long missionary journey, which began 46 years ago in Obo. Along with his journey as bishop of this beautiful diocese. Beautiful because it belongs to Christ. It is also beautiful for the many works that Bishop Aguirre has managed to create, with the help of God and so many good people: priests, the elderly, orphans, schools, parishes, students, but also wars, refugees, hardships, and difficulties.  Despite all this and even with his health being severely tested by several heart attacks and other illnesses, he has still persevered.

At 11:30 a.m. we concelebrated Mass together: this is the center from which Bishop Aguirre drew so much strength and tenderness.  It was from here that we must begin again to continue building the diocese of Bangassou.

After a festive lunch, Bishop Aguirre went to Tokoyo, the other parish, to give catechesis to the candidates for Confirmation, which he celebrated on Sunday.

Today, Monday, June 8th, I accompanied him to the airport. We had two priests with us: Sister Yolanda (who cared for orphans, the elderly, and the poor) and Solange, whom he had taken in as an orphan over twenty years ago and who is now a woman and mother.

Have a good trip, Juan José, and thank you for everything!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gambo

Lanome

 

 

Lanome

A New Priest

 

 

 

A New Priest

June 1, 2026

A week dedicated to younger priests, concluding with the ordination of a new priest, Guy Médard Mbondo.

In the diocese of Bangassou, there are 11 parishes (plus two on standby due to the war), a minor seminary, and other activities. There are about thirty priests present in the diocese. For the younger priests, for the second consecutive year, we have prepared three days of study and reflection on the various aspects of ministry, to support and accompany them.

These are important and beautiful moments: they are young, and their enthusiasm also helps other priests to live their vocation with greater commitment.

I returned from Bangui on Tuesday. The flight was very long, with three layovers. I left at 8:00 a.m. and arrived in Bangassou at 2:00 p.m., after stops in Bria, Birao, and Bambari.

The meeting with the young priests, which began on Tuesday, ended on Thursday.

On Saturday, we almost moved to Ouango, a parish on the Mbomou River, where on Sunday the ordination of Guy Médard Mbondo, a young man born right here, took place.

Almost all the priests were present, the nuns of Bangassou, along with the children of the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, who were also taking a short "trip": dressed in their best clothes, with beautiful hats, and the joy of a couple of special days.

On Sunday morning, at 8:30, we began the celebration. It was a beautiful liturgy, rich with the sacrament of the consecration of a new priest, punctuated by songs, prayers, and dances...

We finished Mass at 12, and around 2:00 pm, we were on the riverbank. Here, they prepared a special moment for Father Guy Médard: a beautifully decorated canoe approached. In addition to the rowers, there were two women dancing (it seemed impossible!) to the rhythm of the drums played from the shore. The new priest boarded the canoe for a short ride.

After the canoe ride, it was time for a celebration with the family and numerous guests: it was a great celebration, because a son of the village had become a priest.

Seeing the children, young people, adults, and the elderly approach him to receive one of the first blessings as a priest was a great joy, and a simple moment of profound faith!

i sacerdoti più giovani in formazione
Les pretres jeunes en formation
los sacerdotes más jóvenes en formación

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bambini del Centro orfani in gita...
Les enfants de l'Orphélinat en sortie
Los niños del orfanato en una excursión...

 

 

 

 

 

 

don Guy Médard con la mamma e uno zio
L'abbé Guy Médard avec ses parents
El padre Guy Médard con su madre y un tío.

 

 

 

La processione del Vangelo
La procéssion avec l'Evangile
La procesión del Evangelio