Something really dangerous is happening: the prayer of the poor!
The situation in Central Africa continues to be very tense and dangerous. Much of the country is occupied by rebel militias, of various kinds, but fairly coordinated and determined to achieve something. What this something is, it is not clear!
In the meantime, they have managed to block a large part of the country, and ALL the flow of goods that supply the capital, Bangui, from the border with Cameroon. The various armed forces (Central African, Russian and Rwandan) are trying to clear the road, but it is a difficult undertaking.
Here in Baoro, right in front of the Mission, the asphalted road remains empty: from 22 December to today, 4 February, NO trucks with goods have passed to go to Bangui! In the capital, the prices of imported goods (almost all!)have been rising rapidly, leading many families to hunger and despair.
Precisely for this reason we experienced, on Sunday afternoon, a beautiful moment of prayer and peace, at the Baoro roundabout. Despite the short notice, a good number of people (over 2,000) gathered around this clearing, and with great serenity and in profound silence we let ourselves be guided in prayer by a Protestant Pastor, followed by a Muslim imam, and finally by the Catholic parish priest, Fr Stefano. It was beautiful, wonderful to see different people, of different faiths and origins, to pray together. Finally, I asked each person to take their neighbor's hands, and raise them together towards the sky, as a prayer, and we had minutes of intense and profound prayer.
As at the beginning, even at the end, the choir animated those present: Protestants, Catholics and Muslims, sang and danced together.
2000 people who come together to pray are very dangerous, more than the rebels and various bandits! They can make God and humanity win!
This week I went to Bouar twice to follow the situation of the refugees, who are now more than 15,000.
Thanks be to God, fathers, priests, nuns, and faithful who are working very hard trying to come to the aid of all those who have left their homes for fear of the violence of the rebels.
Many are working hard, because we can help and intervene better: a big thank you to some organizations (MSF, Unicef, ACF, WFP, APAD, ANEA) that help with food, water and the most urgent needs. But thanks also to the many who, in one way or another, are helping us: Siriri. OPS from Prague, Caritas Internationalis, CRS, and friends and various brothers and sisters.
Charity is also very dangerous! It can make Love win!
The situation in Central Africa continues to be very tense and dangerous. Much of the country is occupied by rebel militias, of various kinds, but fairly coordinated and determined to achieve something. What this something is, it is not clear!
In the meantime, they have managed to block a large part of the country, and ALL the flow of goods that supply the capital, Bangui, from the border with Cameroon. The various armed forces (Central African, Russian and Rwandan) are trying to clear the road, but it is a difficult undertaking.
Here in Baoro, right in front of the Mission, the asphalted road remains empty: from 22 December to today, 4 February, NO trucks with goods have passed to go to Bangui! In the capital, the prices of imported goods (almost all!)have been rising rapidly, leading many families to hunger and despair.
Precisely for this reason we experienced, on Sunday afternoon, a beautiful moment of prayer and peace, at the Baoro roundabout. Despite the short notice, a good number of people (over 2,000) gathered around this clearing, and with great serenity and in profound silence we let ourselves be guided in prayer by a Protestant Pastor, followed by a Muslim imam, and finally by the Catholic parish priest, Fr Stefano. It was beautiful, wonderful to see different people, of different faiths and origins, to pray together. Finally, I asked each person to take their neighbor's hands, and raise them together towards the sky, as a prayer, and we had minutes of intense and profound prayer.
As at the beginning, even at the end, the choir animated those present: Protestants, Catholics and Muslims, sang and danced together.
2000 people who come together to pray are very dangerous, more than the rebels and various bandits! They can make God and humanity win!
This week I went to Bouar twice to follow the situation of the refugees, who are now more than 15,000.
Thanks be to God, fathers, priests, nuns, and faithful who are working very hard trying to come to the aid of all those who have left their homes for fear of the violence of the rebels.
Many are working hard, because we can help and intervene better: a big thank you to some organizations (MSF, Unicef, ACF, WFP, APAD, ANEA) that help with food, water and the most urgent needs. But thanks also to the many who, in one way or another, are helping us: Siriri. OPS from Prague, Caritas Internationalis, CRS, and friends and various brothers and sisters.
Charity is also very dangerous! It can make Love win!
 |
| La preghiera per la pace la Pière pour la paix à Baoro |
 |
| P.Stefano |
 |
| Bouar - Negozi chiusi Boutiques fermées |
 |
| Riso e sardine per i rifugiati Riz et sardines pour les déplacés |
 |
| Couvent Carmes - Saint Elie |
 |
 |
| Couvent Carmes - Saint Elie |
 |
| Riunione Caritas e responsabili dei siti dei rifugiati Réunion Caritas et sites des déplacés |
Merci Padre Aurelio pour ces nouvelles.
ReplyDeleteQue Dieu bénisse la Centrafrique et bénit les uns et les autres qui sont toujours proches des ménages et les populations en détresses.
Gabriel-P DIPOU