AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Despite chaos and violence in Bozoum, schools have reopened and the pastoral year has started

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "We have reopened schools and resumed pastoral activities, even if the situation has not fully stabilized", says to Fides Agency Fr. Aurelio Gazzera, a Carmelite missionary, pastor in Bozoum in the north-west of the Central African Republic.
On September 21, a large Eucharistic celebration marked the beginning of the pastoral year. As reported by Fr. Aurelio in his blog, there were "different movements with uniforms or colored scarves. Dances and special songs, and an offertory, rather two (the second for the poor and orphans) impressed me: despite the poverty, many people brought gifts, food, money for those less fortunate". Schools reopened on September 24, both Catholic and state schools. "Our schools here in the Mission (from kindergarten to high school) include more than 1,100 students this year", said Fr. Aurelio.
"In Bozoum compared to other areas of Central Africa, the situation is a bit calmer, although there is still a lot of tension and we must continually react to what is happening around us", said Fr. Aurelio, who emphasizes that he senses that there is "lack of authority. Somehow we try to compensate for the inaction of the State with our Mediation Committee (composed among others by the Secretary General of the Prefecture, the Mayor, the parish priest, a Protestant minister, the president of the Wali-Gala".
"Last week a UN delegation and its associated agencies (WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, etc..) paid a visit. Representatives of these organizations thanked us for what we do as Mediation Committee, and urged the authorities to be present in Bozoum, their absence is noted", concludes the missionary. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 08/10/2014)


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