Another 600 km of charity, prayer and hope
Sunday,
with the celebration of the Palms, we started, in a strange way, this very
different Holy Week.
No
procession, this already a very different start! The procession with the palms
is a moment very much felt by everyone, but we could not do it.
We
celebrated 2 Masses, to give people a little more opportunity to participate,
because we cannot and do not want to bring too many people together, so as not
to take unnecessary risks, in this time of coronavirus.
Unfortunately,
the situation continues to be rather underestimated. Here in Bozoum the
authorities (prefect) have not created any crisis committee, nor held any
meetings. Apart from the closed schools, and the limited number religious
services, there are no limitations: the market and shops are full of people,
and many laugh about catching the virus as if it were a joke: “we won't touch
it! ".
Unfortunately,
even though there are still few cases in Central Africa (11 in the capital), in
the neighbouring Cameroon there are already more than 730 people infected by
Covid-19, and we are closer to Cameroon than to Bangui. Despite the official
closure of the borders, there are still many people who come and go with little
regards to the closures. It only costs a little bit more than usual!
On Tuesday
and Wednesday I left to finish the visits to the parishes. On Tuesday I was in
Niem, about 75 km from Bouar, and on Wednesday in Baboua, 100 km from Bouar,
near the border with Cameroon.
I was able
to meet all the parish committees of Caritas and all the communities. Everyone
is very interested and, above all, ready to help those in need, especially the
elderly, the poor, and the most fragile people.
It's nice
to see interest and generosity. Here and elsewhere: although the whole world is
touched, from Italy (diocese of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli) and the Czech
Republic (from Siriri.org) we have received help, which allows us to buy masks,
gloves, soap, disinfectant and rice, oil and concentrated tomatoes that we have
already distributed.
Today we
began the Easter Triduum: three days in which the history of men and that of
God have become one, in the sacrifice of the cross.
We all come
together in prayer. In each cross there is the sprout of a Resurrection.
Happy Easter!
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| Bocaranga |
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| Mercato settimanale a Bocaranga Marché hebdomadaire à Bocaranga |
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| Niem |
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