Visits
In many countries, the Pope sends his "Nuncios" -
ambassadors - who perform a double function, in front of the local
Church, and in front of the Government. There is also a Nunciature in
Central Africa, and in these days our diocese of Bouar welcomed the
Nuncio Mgr. Santiago de Wit Guzmán, from Valencia, on a visit for a
week.
He visited some cities and communities of the diocese
(Niem, Baboua, Baoro) and last Friday he arrived among us, accompanied
by the bishop of Bouar, Mgr. Mirek Gucwa. We welcomed him for the Vesper
prayers, but also for dinner. On Saturday morning he celebrated Mass at
6, and then left around 9 and continued his visit to the rest of the
Diocese.
The Nuncio's visit is a moment of celebration, because
it brings the Pope and the whole Church an embrace. A Church that,
especially here in Central Africa, is very committed with and for the
poorest.
Sunday morning I celebrated Mass in the small village of
Barka Bongo, and then continued to Bangui, to visit the construction
site of the new convent.
In Bangui I welcomed Father Davide
Sollami, who is the head of our Arenzano Public Prosecutor's Office.
Tuesday morning I went up with him to Baoro. We stopped to greet the
pupils of our schools. There are now more than 1,900 children, including
kindergartens (about 200) and elementary schools (over 1,700 pupils).
In the following days, Father Davide will visit some of them, especially
to take pictures of the children who are being followed with the "Long
Distance Adoptions" project.
On Saturday afternoon the catechists
for the school of "Nerviano" arrived (it is the name of the structure
that welcomes them, given years ago by the missionary group of the
homonymous locality in Italy).
There are 13 families in all, from
Bocaranga (7), Wantigera (1), Bozoum (2) and Baoro (3). The catechists
are here with their wives (one each) and part of the children (about
60!).
On Monday the moments of formation for the catechists began
(followed by Fr Michael), while in the afternoon the women are in
classes for sewing, knitting, childcare and cooking.
When I
stopped by to say hello, I saw them working with knitting needles: thank
you to everyone who worked hard to send them to us!
In
particular, Sr Biagina follows them: on Saturday afternoon I accompanied
her to meet the families of the catechists who have just arrived. With
the children and mothers, Sr. Biagina forgets her over 70 years, and
looks thirty years younger.
Babies and mothers are a great rejuvenation cure!
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| Baoro Il Nunzio e il vescovo di Bouar Le Nonce et l'éveque de Bouar |
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| Macchinari dalla Russia per...? Des machines russes pour l'exploitation de...? |
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| Sr Biagina |
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| Formazione delle mogli dei catechisti Formation pour les femmes des catéchistes |
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| Il cantiere di Bangui |
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| Dobere |
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| P.Davide Sollami |
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| Kouisso Baguera |
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