Beginning of a New Journey
July 21, 2026
The diocese of Bangassou is young: just 62 years old. Founded by Paul VI in 1964, it has had two great bishops: Bishop Antoine Marie Maanicus, a Dutchman, from 1964 to 2000, and Mong Juan José Aguirre, a Spaniard, from 2000 to 2026.
And on Sunday, July 19, 2026, I began my ministry as the third bishop of this enormous and beautiful diocese.
On Friday, July 17, the Nuncio, his secretary, three other bishops (Bishop Mirek Gucwam from Bouar, Bishop Richard Appora from Bambari, and Bishop Jesus Molina Ruiz from Mbaiki), and Brother Aimé Radjabo, a Carmelite, arrived.
I am here to testify to the closeness of the Universal Church and the Episcopal Conference to the Diocese of Bangassou, which is embarking on a new journey.
I accompany them on a tour of the diocese, showing them the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, the Casa Speranza for the elderly, the Seminary, the Cathedral, and I take them to Lanome, where work on the new church is progressing well.
By Sunday morning, everything is ready. The diocese and the city have committed themselves to making this a historic moment! The Cathedral has been cleaned and repainted, decorated with fabrics and flowers. Others are preparing the songs and dances, and about twenty women are busy cooking and preparing the festive meal, for the poor and the guests.
At 8:15, the procession begins. All the priests of the diocese are present, along with a large crowd.
At the entrance to the church, we pause for a moment at the tomb of Bishop Maanicus, buried here.
The celebration opens with the Nuncio, who introduces me to the people of God. The President of the Episcopal Conference does so in Sango.
After a brief prayer, the Nuncio entrusts me with the pastoral staff and has me sit on the "cathedra," the seat reserved for the bishop.
Immediately afterward, the priests come before me, the new bishop of Bangassou, to profess their obedience and their desire to journey together. After the priests, several representatives of the people of God come: a couple, two young people, two orphaned children, two elderly people, two catechists...
And it is time for the Gloria, which explodes in the nave of the Cathedral.
The Word of God is very rich. In the homily, I focus on the Gospel in particular. The Gospel of Matthew offers us three beautiful parables (the weeds, the yeast, and the mustard seed) that help me explain the mission of the Bishop. And we bring the entire diocese into prayer, all those who have worked to spread the Gospel, and Abbé Crépin, killed three weeks ago, and all the people of God.
After Communion, there is a very long offertory, a sign and testimony of affection for the new bishop.
The Mass, which began at 8:30 a.m., ends at 11:30 a.m.
July 21, 2026
The diocese of Bangassou is young: just 62 years old. Founded by Paul VI in 1964, it has had two great bishops: Bishop Antoine Marie Maanicus, a Dutchman, from 1964 to 2000, and Mong Juan José Aguirre, a Spaniard, from 2000 to 2026.
And on Sunday, July 19, 2026, I began my ministry as the third bishop of this enormous and beautiful diocese.
On Friday, July 17, the Nuncio, his secretary, three other bishops (Bishop Mirek Gucwam from Bouar, Bishop Richard Appora from Bambari, and Bishop Jesus Molina Ruiz from Mbaiki), and Brother Aimé Radjabo, a Carmelite, arrived.
I am here to testify to the closeness of the Universal Church and the Episcopal Conference to the Diocese of Bangassou, which is embarking on a new journey.
I accompany them on a tour of the diocese, showing them the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, the Casa Speranza for the elderly, the Seminary, the Cathedral, and I take them to Lanome, where work on the new church is progressing well.
By Sunday morning, everything is ready. The diocese and the city have committed themselves to making this a historic moment! The Cathedral has been cleaned and repainted, decorated with fabrics and flowers. Others are preparing the songs and dances, and about twenty women are busy cooking and preparing the festive meal, for the poor and the guests.
At 8:15, the procession begins. All the priests of the diocese are present, along with a large crowd.
At the entrance to the church, we pause for a moment at the tomb of Bishop Maanicus, buried here.
The celebration opens with the Nuncio, who introduces me to the people of God. The President of the Episcopal Conference does so in Sango.
After a brief prayer, the Nuncio entrusts me with the pastoral staff and has me sit on the "cathedra," the seat reserved for the bishop.
Immediately afterward, the priests come before me, the new bishop of Bangassou, to profess their obedience and their desire to journey together. After the priests, several representatives of the people of God come: a couple, two young people, two orphaned children, two elderly people, two catechists...
And it is time for the Gloria, which explodes in the nave of the Cathedral.
The Word of God is very rich. In the homily, I focus on the Gospel in particular. The Gospel of Matthew offers us three beautiful parables (the weeds, the yeast, and the mustard seed) that help me explain the mission of the Bishop. And we bring the entire diocese into prayer, all those who have worked to spread the Gospel, and Abbé Crépin, killed three weeks ago, and all the people of God.
After Communion, there is a very long offertory, a sign and testimony of affection for the new bishop.
The Mass, which began at 8:30 a.m., ends at 11:30 a.m.
Lunch follows, a simple sign of brotherhood and sharing.
An important day, during which the affection and faith of the people of Bangassou amazed me and filled me with peace and joy.
Have a good journey!
An important day, during which the affection and faith of the people of Bangassou amazed me and filled me with peace and joy.
Have a good journey!
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| Sul fiume au fleuve El rio |
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| Lanome |
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| Sulla tomba di don Crépin Sur le tombeau de l'abbé Crépin En la tumba de Don Crépin |
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| In visita al Centro orfani Mama Tongolo En visite au Centre des orphélins Maman Tongolo Visitando el Centro de Huérfanos Mama Tongolo |
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