Going back home
After almost 3 weeks in Baoro, I "had" to go to Bozoum for a few days
and for a particular reason: the beginning of the pastoral ministry of the new
parish priest, Fr Marco Poggi.
I arrived in Bozoum on December 4th, the vigil on December 1st… That is:
December 1st is a National Holiday, however, for some years it has often been
delayed by a few days, depending on the mood of the local authorities. So, in Bozoum as in other cities, the
celebrations have been moved to Saturday, December 5th.
Because of this I was able to attend the parade of the festival, where various
schools, some churches, and various commercial activities or associations
participate. For both children and adults, it is an important and festive time.
Also, for me it was very nice to see the joy of so many as they saw me again.
On Sunday the 6th of December instead is the day of the start of the work of
the new parish priest. Fr Marco Poggi, from Costa Vescovato
(Alessandria). He is young, but he already has had some years as rector
of the Seminary of the Yolé, in Bouar. It is the bishop of Bouar, Monsignor
Mirek Gucwa, who presided over the Mass. After the homily, the bishop
accompanied the new parish priest to the seat where he will be presiding over
the Eucharist, to the Baptismal Font where he will administer baptisms, to the
confessional where he will give the Forgiveness of God, to the bell tower, from
where he rings to call the people to prayer, and finally he made him open the
church as a sign of the responsibility entrusted to him.
Mass was very well attended, and I am happy that everything went well, without
the usual problems of moving from one parish priest to another.
After Mass we had lunch together with the guests from the other communities,
but also with the catechists and parish leaders, and with the poor of the city.
The following day, Monday, December 7th, Bozoum finally received a visit from
the President of the Republic. It was the first time in 5 years that he has
come to Bozoum. There was a lot of anticipation, also because the problems in
Bozoum are many (roads financed and never completed, hospital without services,
personnel and ambulance, and the problem of environmental - and moral -
destruction carried out by Chinese companies with Bozoum's gold, now
Bozoum-gate).
The President made a good speech, enumerating the many achievements made, and
promised more attention from the Government.
In the
early afternoon I go home. In Baoro.
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| P.Marco Poggi con il Vescovo di Bouar Le p.Marco Poggi avec l'eveque de Bouar |
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| Aspettando l'arrivo del Presidente En attendant l'arrivé du Président |
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