25 years (and a bit more)

25 years (and a bit more)

Today, Thursday 20 May, the feast of Ascension was celebrated here in Central Africa. In the midst of a very heavy rain, I celebrated Mass this morning with less than a dozen people. We are now in the rainy season and the storm has slightly discouraged Christians.

Construction work on the Bokongo chapel continues, and we hope to be able to put on the roof soon, and finish the work within a month or two.

Coronavirus continues to rise seriously in Central Africa. From 260 cases last week, we reached 436 today.

But on Monday I received some good news. Actually four great things! The Italian church, thanks to the 8 x thousand, has earmarked funds for the Covid19 emergency fund in Africa. We have presented 4 projects to Caritas Italiana to help the hospitals of Nim, Niem, Maigaro and Wantigera, and they have all been accepted. With this help we can buy masks, coveralls, gloves for protection, but also equipment for analysis and treatment.

Yesterday, Wednesday May 19, Fr.Norberto Pozzi celebrated 25 years of priesthood. We were able, despite all that is happening, to have a little party for him. Some confreres came from other communities, paying close attention to social distancing rules and being very cautious. At 10.30 we celebrated Mass, presided over by Mgr Mirk Gucwa, the bishop of Bouar: a nice opportunity to thank God for the gift of the priesthood, but also to thank Fr.Norbert for his faithfulness and his work.

Fr.Norberto, from Lecco, came to Central Africa as a volunteer, in 1980. Surveyor, builder, but also mechanic and hard worker, he then took the Carmel road, and in 1995 he became a priest, working mainly in the villages around Bozoum .