Paralyzed
A few weeks ago, the bishops of Central Africa
published a very beautiful message. Amidst the situation of war and
tensions, which we are experiencing, the word of the Bishops is
practically the only one taken somewhat seriously and constructively.
In
this message, the bishop started with a reading from the Gospel of
Luke. While Jesus was surrounded by the crowd, 4 people arrived with a
paralyzed man on a stretcher. They couldn't get to Jesus, who was in
the house. Their trust in Jesus was so great that they got up on the
roof, uncovered a piece of it and dropped the stretcher in front of
Jesus. Who, naturally and in the face of so much faith, healed him.
The
Bishops see in the paralyzed man an image of Central Africa, which is
unable to rise, and which needs the courage and faith of all to rise
again. For those who would like to take a look, here is the message from
the bishops: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcbgp1u8toz8z5x/Message%20des%20Ev%C3%AAques%20-%20Janvier%202021.pdf?dl=0
In
recent weeks the situation has not changed and is still very serious.
Today, Thursday, January,28th I had planned to go to Bouar but right
before leaving, they informed me of probable clashes between the army
and armed groups, and I had to cancel my trip.
Unfortunately, the
number of refugees in the churches and the convents continues to
increase, and the situation is likely to last for a long time, because
no one wants to take a step back and very few put the common good before
their own interests.
Even today, from Bouar, they told me that
the number of refugees continues to increase. There are now more than
17,000! Thank God there are still some that try to do something good,
but thanks also to all those who are taking action, in Central Africa
and in the world, to lend a hand. It is true that man can be very bad,
but, thank God, he can also be very good!
Even here in Baoro the
situation remains tense. Some semi-rebels have set up barriers on 3
roads to the entrance to the city. They too, like the police in "normal"
times, say they do it for the safety of the city. In reality, like the
police in "normal" times, they do it to ask for money.
Last
Friday I was invited to a meeting with the (few) remaining authorities.
The themes of the meeting were: the reopening of schools and the
elimination of barriers. Also present were representatives of the
semi-rebels, who finally seemed to accept some form of communication.
But in the following days the barriers were still here ...
So we resume the work of mediating, even with the religious leaders of the city. On Tuesday we met with Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, and we shared concerns about the situation. Let us pray, work and plan for a moment of prayer on Sunday, January 31, right in the center of Baoro. We will pray for Peace and for the country.
We don't want to be paralyzed forever!
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| Formazione dei Catechisti Formation des catéchistes |
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| Convento dei Carmelitani - Saint Elie Bouar Couvent des Carmes - Saint Elie Bouar |
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| Barriera illegale Barrière illégale |
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| Convento dei Cappuccini - Saint Laurent Bouar Couvent des Capucins - Saint Laurent Bouar |
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