On the way to...
Slowly, the situation in Central Africa is slowly improving, albeit temporarily, and only in some areas. The future is unclear, and in the long run I fear that problems will continue to plague this beautiful land.
The Bouar refugees have all returned to their homes, thankful to God and the contribution of so many people. Now we need to think about how to consolidate this return, and how to help so that life resumes to some sort of normalcy.
On Saturday and Sunday I was able to go to the small villages of Zoungbe and Balembe, where I was able to celebrate Masses.
On Monday morning I left for Bangui. With a bit of trepidation, because the road (the only one that allows the arrival of goods to the capital) has now been blocked by rebel troops for 2 months. For a couple of weeks the Russian, Rwandan and Central African soldiers have been trying to free it, and the first convoys (under strong escorts) are seen passing by, guarded by helicopters.
I left at 5 from Baoro. The journey is strange because there are many barriers (checkpoints) kept by the military. Since there was practically no traffic: we met a few motorcycles, one or two cars, and that was it.
At 10:30am I arrived in Bangui, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I immediately went to the Institut Pasteur to take the Covid test, in order to get on the plane that will take me to Italy.
On Tuesday I was in various meetings, waiting for the result of the test, which arrived at 8 on Wednesday morning, 3 hours before the plane left!
The journey to Italy went smoothly, and yesterday, Thursday, February 25, I arrived in Cuneo.
I am stopping in Italy for a few weeks, to stay with my family for a while after the death of my mother, and also to meet, Covid permitting, confreres and friends.
Slowly, the situation in Central Africa is slowly improving, albeit temporarily, and only in some areas. The future is unclear, and in the long run I fear that problems will continue to plague this beautiful land.
The Bouar refugees have all returned to their homes, thankful to God and the contribution of so many people. Now we need to think about how to consolidate this return, and how to help so that life resumes to some sort of normalcy.
On Saturday and Sunday I was able to go to the small villages of Zoungbe and Balembe, where I was able to celebrate Masses.
On Monday morning I left for Bangui. With a bit of trepidation, because the road (the only one that allows the arrival of goods to the capital) has now been blocked by rebel troops for 2 months. For a couple of weeks the Russian, Rwandan and Central African soldiers have been trying to free it, and the first convoys (under strong escorts) are seen passing by, guarded by helicopters.
I left at 5 from Baoro. The journey is strange because there are many barriers (checkpoints) kept by the military. Since there was practically no traffic: we met a few motorcycles, one or two cars, and that was it.
At 10:30am I arrived in Bangui, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I immediately went to the Institut Pasteur to take the Covid test, in order to get on the plane that will take me to Italy.
On Tuesday I was in various meetings, waiting for the result of the test, which arrived at 8 on Wednesday morning, 3 hours before the plane left!
The journey to Italy went smoothly, and yesterday, Thursday, February 25, I arrived in Cuneo.
I am stopping in Italy for a few weeks, to stay with my family for a while after the death of my mother, and also to meet, Covid permitting, confreres and friends.
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| Gauthier et p.Matteo |
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| Bouar - I rifugiati lasciano il sito della Cattedrale e tornano alle loro case Les déplacés du site de la Cathédrale retournent à leur maisons |
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| Zoungbe |
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| Balembe |
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| Sulla strada verso Bangui: un camion bruciato Sur la route vers Bangui: un camion brulé |
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| Cuneo |
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