Difficult roads, steps of hope

 

Zemio, il memoriale dell'abbè Crepin
Zemio, le mémorial de l'abbè Crepin
Zemio, el monumento al padre  Crepin

 

Difficult roads, steps of hope

26 August 2026

Today I arrived in Rafai, 150 km from Bangassou.

Despite the rainy season, I am visiting the communities in the east: Zemio and Rafai.

I set off from Bangassou on Friday 21 August. A brief stop in Lanome, where work on the church is almost complete, and then on towards Rafai. The track is in reasonable condition, and by the afternoon we arrive at the Franciscan parish.

On Saturday morning we set off at around 6. The road had deteriorated due to the rain. No cars or lorries have passed this way for months (we even found a nest in the tall grass right in the middle of the track!). The village of Guinikoumba, 65 km before Zemio, is completely deserted and overrun by a colony of monkeys!

With some difficulty, we arrive in Zemio at 5 pm, after a 13-hour journey covering 150 km… As we enter the town, I’m pleased to see some signs of ‘normality’: children playing in front of their houses, people out and about, despite the sunset.

At the parish, I meet Father Jean Alain Zembi with a seminarian; both have volunteered to be with the Christian community, which has been deeply affected by the murder of Father Crepin on 29 June.

On Sunday morning, I celebrate Mass in the parish: there are many people, and the atmosphere is more serene; at the end of Mass, we go in procession to the spot where Father Crepin was killed. Here, the community has decided to build a small chapel in memory of Crepin, a martyr for his work in peace and mediation.

On Monday, I visited the Mission’s school, and together with the teachers and parents, we decided to reopen the school on 21 September, and we set about carrying out the necessary work to refurbish it (painting and various repairs). It is important that the pupils attend school in a clean and pleasant environment: this, too, is part of their education.

It is a major undertaking: a sack of cement here costs 50,000 francs (75 euros), whereas in Bangui it costs 10,000 francs (15 euros)...

The decision to travel by car rather than by plane is no coincidence. Despite the state of the road and the danger of attacks by armed men, the bishop’s journey by car helps people to regain confidence and hope.

And today, on our return journey, we meet some residents of Guinikoumba who have decided to return to their village.

Small steps, full of hope!

 

 

 

Guinikoumba

La scuola di Zemio
L'école de Zemio
La escuela de Zemio

Il ritorno degli abitanti a Guinikoumba
Le retour des habitatants à Guinikoumba
El regreso de los habitantes a Guinikoumba

 

Return to Bangassou

 

Return to Bangassou

15 August 2026

 

After my brief visit to Nigeria, I returned to Bangassou on Thursday 6 June.

On my way to the airport, I passed the house where Sister Yolande and the children from the ‘Maman Tongolo’ orphanage were waiting for me: they had come to Bangui for a few days’ holiday, and for them it was their first time seeing a big city!

Once I arrived in Bangassou, a few days later my computer went blind: the screen had died, and I couldn’t connect it to any external monitors via the various ports. But, thanks to some friends and a great deal of divine providence, I at least managed to recover the data.

On Sunday 9 August, I went to Laanome, where I celebrated Mass in the old chapel. It’s small, with a very low tin roof, and it’s almost as hot as… in Europe at this time of year!

Construction work on the new church is progressing well, and we hope to inaugurate it in a few weeks’ time.

At the moment, I’m trying to tidy up a bit in the various offices, where I’m coming across some very interesting documents that provide a detailed account of life in this diocese.

Today, the Feast of the Assumption, I celebrated Mass in the small shrine at Pande, 12 km away. A few hundred faithful from the parish of Tokoyo (Bangassou) and the neighbouring villages came on pilgrimage on Thursday, and will stay until tomorrow, Sunday.

I bambini in vacanza
Les enfants en vacance
Los niños durante las vacaciones

Lanome, la vecchia cappella
Lanome, la vieille chapelle
Lanome, la antigua capilla

Lanome, la nuova chiesa
Lanome, la nouvelle eglise
Lanome, la nueva iglesia

Pande

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