December 1st and its surroundings

December 1^st and its surroundings

December 1^st, in Central Africa, is the National Holiday of excellence. The date remembers the proclamation of the Republic in 1958 (Independence arrived two years later in 1960).

It takes a month of preparation to have the “defile”. Then a long awaited parade take place.  To prepare for this grand parade two or three times a week roads within the city, as well as other surrounding cities, are closed to allow schools to rehearse for this amazing parade.   Finally the day of the National celebration arrives. The eve prior is normally reserved for prayer, in which all the authorities participate. Friday, November 30^th  (the anniversary, among other things, of the magnificent visit of Pope Francis in Central Africa, in 2015) we gather in our church, which very quickly fills up.  We pray with great faith for this country that has been ravaged by war.

The bishops invited Christian men and women of good will "to abstain from the festivities on December 1^st ”.  It was a historic decision, never taken in 60 years, to remind everyone of the seriousness of the situation in this great land: more than 80% of the country is in the hands of rebel groups, and in recent weeks there have been numerous attacks on civilians (in Alindao, on November 15^th at least 72 people were killed, including 2 priests, as well as the destruction of the Bishops Residence and the burned refugee camp of the Cathedral, which housed 26,000 refugees). The decision of the Bishops in asking people to disregard this National celebration has caused a great divide among many people.  The Government took this as an affront and an insult, and the tension has been quite high everywhere. In Bozoum, as in many cities, the holiday had been moved to Friday (because the Prefect had other commitments to attend to...), but the call of the Bishops has helped many to ask what to do to make the Country return to peace.

Meanwhile, in Bozoum, we welcome our Provincial Superior, Father Saverio, who is visiting our Mission. On Thursday I went with him to Bouar, where on Friday we met with all the Carmelite Fathers who work in Central Africa (8 Italians, 8 Central Africans and 1 Cameroonian). Today, December 8^th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at Bouar St. Elie we live a moment of great joy: a young Central African, Brother Michael, makes the Solemn Profession of Vows. It is the promise and the commitment to live, throughout life, in chastity, poverty and obedience. It is a beautiful moment, and we pray for his loyalty, and for all the work of the Carmelites in Central Africa.

pastori Peul

fr Michael