Faith, hope and a lot of charity!

 

 

 

Aurrèlia

 

Faith, hope and a lot of charity!

Here I am taking my first steps in Bangassou.

The climate here is very hot and humid, but luckily the first rains are starting to cool things down a bit.

The first steps with Mons. Aguirre include meeting and visiting the people and various parts of the city and the diocese.

First meeting with some of the priests from Bangassou and the surrounding areas on Friday morning. They're all pretty young, and it's nice to be able to start getting to know and appreciate them.

Saturday morning was a meeting with the Economic Affairs Council, they help the Bishop in managing a diocese.

Sunday was the day of my "first" solemn mass here.

The cathedral is very beautiful, and despite the rain it was full. The liturgy was beautiful and well attended, and I felt the prayer and affection of many people for the "new" bishop.

During the celebration I blessed a little girl, just a few days old, an orphan. Her name was Aurelia! When introducing her, the parish priest asks if there were 2 dads and 2 moms who would agree to become Aurelia's parents. Immediately we had some volunteers: they will take care of her and provide for her first purchases (clothes, diapers, milk, etc.).

The diocese of Bangassou is very active and attentive to the poorest. There are around 300 orphaned children welcomed into many families. For younger children and those with bigger problems, there is a beautiful centre, Maman Tongolo (Mamma Stella) where they live and grow in a peaceful environment.

This is where we went to visit on Monday afternoons. It was wonderful to see so many peaceful children, who finally have a space full of affection and joy in which to grow.

In the morning we visited the diocese hospital, directed by a small (but very great) Vietnamese nun (Sr. Elisabette). There are various buildings, and it is all very beautiful and very clean. The city's sick people, including many poor people, can come here. As well as  AIDS patients, who are followed very carefully.

Tuesday afternoon we visited another beautiful reality: the maison Espoir (Hope House). About forty people live here, who need protection because they are victims of witchcraft accusations. Many still bear the marks of lynching attempts…

They too are offered a possibility and a refuge of peace, hope, and a lot of charity.

 

 

 

 

Il vescovo Ahuirre con alcuni dei sacerdoti della diocesi
Mgr Aguirre avec une partie des prettres du diocèse

Cathédrale de Bangassou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centro orfani Maman Tongolo
Centre des orphelins Maman Tongolo

Hopital du diocèse

Maison Espoir