 |
| Gauthier con la carrozzina nuova Gauthier |
San Michele
and warning signs of war
On Sunday we celebrated, with a few
days in advance, the patron saint of the Parish of Bozoum, Saint Michael
Archangel. We got ready for the
celebration by a couple of days of preparation. The feast of Saint Michael is a
strong moment for our parish, which finds itself reflecting on its origins, and
reaffirming God's authority and protection.
On Saturday afternoon we went in
procession through the Mission area with the statue of St. Michael followed by
a very large crowd of people praying and singing. On Sunday at 8.30am we
celebrate the solemn Mass. Once more large number of people, intense prayer and
songs and dances. Right after Mass there were the finals of some football and
basketball games. At 12.30 we have had lunch (matanga) with the catechists, the responsible of the various Groups
and all those who in one way or another are committed to help the parish.
The celebration day somehow was
disturbed by a serious concern: the day before, on Saturday 23rd ,
the city of Bocaranga was again attacked by rebels from the 3R group (Seleka
area), forcing people to flee. The rebels' intention is to occupy the city, and
they do not seem to have any intention of leaving soon. Their arrival has
triggered general panic and escape fugitives. There were dead, killed by the
rebels, and everything happened under the eyes of the UN Peace Keepers, doing
just nothing to stop the rebels.
Many of the fleeing people arrived
here at Bozoum: 125 km of road, and for many on foot! The concern of the nearby
war, so close to our Mission, goes together with the suffering of seeing
thousands of people who have lost everything. These days we need to organize
their presence.
Tomorrow morning, Saturday, we will
start a census, family by family, so we have a better idea how to intervene. We
are in need of homes, food, medicine, school, cooking utensils ... But most of
all we need PEACE! It’s an urgent and almost desperate need.
 |
| P.Matteo |
 |
| Osso di elefante Un os d'éléphant |
 |
| Riunione rifugiati Réunion déplacés |
 |
| Rifugiati di Bocaranga a Bozoum Déplacés de Bocarnga à Bozoum |
No comments:
Post a Comment