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| I vescovi in riunione Les eveques en réunion |
The bishops of Central Africa meet in an Assembly twice a year, in January and June. The January meeting always takes place in Bangui, the capital, while the June one is always in a different diocese. This allows Christians from all the dioceses to see and meet all the bishops, and allows the bishops to better understand the realities of the whole country.
This year we gathered in Mbaiki, a diocese 110 km from Bangui, in a forest area. A lively diocese, led by the Spanish bishop Jésus Molina Ruiz. A diocese rich in different ethnic groups, which hosts a large community of Aka pygmies.
The assembly lasts all week, with morning and afternoon meetings. Each bishop presents the situation of his diocese, and then we begin the training. This year we read and reflected on the document "Dignitas Infinita", from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A very rich document, which deals with the infinite dignity of man. In a country like Central Africa, where disparities between the groups are very strong, where many areas are still exposed to the violence of armed groups, where even the government and the authorities do not have for respect for human rights, where lands and subsoil are managed by people without scruples, the call to the dignity of man is a very important announcement.
The meetings are very intense, and the atmosphere is very committed, fraternal and full of listening and participation.
During the Assembly we also prepare the bishops' Message, which will be published by the end of the discussions.
On Thursday afternoon we split up and went to meet some communities in the surrounding area. I left with the president of the Episcopal Conference, Mgr Nestor Nongo, bishop of Bossangoa. We went to Boukoko, a village 11 km from Mbaiki. A community founded in 1946 by Fr. Charles Tisserant, a Spiritan missionary who had worked in Bozoum in the 1930s!
The welcome is continuing: for Christians, welcoming the bishops is a great celebration! We pray with them, we listen to their story and their joys and difficulties, and we celebrate the Eucharist together. At the end, a meal awaits us and brings together the various leaders of the community.
On Sunday there was the final celebration, which was presided over, traditionally, by the last ordained bishop... that is, by me! There are many people, and much joy because the bishops of the 9 dioceses are here: Bangui, Mbaiki, Berberati, Bouar, Bossangoa, Bambari, Kaga Bandoro, Alindao and Bangassou.
At the end of the Mass, the Bishops' Message, always eagerly awaited, was read.
Finally, around 2.30pm, we left for Bangui.
Monday morning at 6 we were at the airport. At 8am the plane was on the runway, the engines were at maximum, but then they slowed down, and we went back due to a technical problem. We had to disembark, wait, and then they announced that the flight was postponed to the next day...
Tuesday we left for the airport. Departure scheduled for 11. We were already on the plane, but they made us get off because we didn't have flight authorization... We finally left at 12.
We finally arrived in Bangassou at 1.30pm. With the surprise of finding some priests and nuns, and the children of Casa Speranza who welcomed us and accompanied us to the city.
The day before they were ready to welcome us, and many people were waiting for us at the cathedral. Today there were a little fewer, but all along the route there were people shouting and waving, and then we arrived at the cathedral.
I entered and went to pray at the tomb of Monsignor Maanicus, the first bishop of Bangassou. Then I greeted and blessed the many people who gathered to welcome the new bishop.
We moved on to the table, with the priests and nuns who welcomed me with joy and celebration.
On Sunday the 30th we will celebrate the great Mass, the beginning of my episcopal service in this blessed land of Bangassou.
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| Cathédrale de Bangassou |
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