AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Mgr. Nzapalainga and the Church in aid of former Seleka rebels: a gesture of forgiveness and reconciliation

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "For me, as a man of God, where there are men, women and children, these are God’s children, created in His image and I have the obligation to help them": this is what His Exc. Mgr. Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui and President of the Episcopal Conference said on November 24, explaining the meaning of the humanitarian initiative undertaken by the Church in the Beal camp, which welcomes 874 members of the former coalition Seleka rebels.
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, Mgr. Nzapalainga led a delegation of Christians, women and men, with food aid collected by Caritas Centrafrique, which was distributed on site by women of various associations of Catholic volunteers. A medical team consisting of five sister nurses and a lay woman were part of the delegation.
In the Central African Republic a difficult process of disarmament and cantonment of former Seleka rebels and their antagonists, anti-Balaka militias, is taking place, in makeshift camps where the living conditions are very precarious. The humanitarian tragedy is heightened by the fact that, next to former combatants, there are also their families with women and children.
Seleka were responsible for damage and serious persecution against Christian churches, including the Catholic Church, during the period in which they had taken power (see Fides 25/06/2013).
Mgr. Nzapalainga’s gesture, who has always fought for peace and national reconciliation together with Pastor Nicolas Grékoyamé-Gbangou, President of the Evangelical Churches, and the Imam of Bangui Oumar Kobine Layama, was appreciated by the Beal camp commander, Rodrigue Yamendji. "I thank the team of the Catholic Church who came to visit us", said Yamendji, considering the visit as part of God’s plans. "I hope - he continued - that this desire for reconciliation will continue, so that all Central Africans can rebuild our Country".
Fr. Patrick Mbea, regional superior of the Spiritans, announced that the creation of a school in Beal, as well as in other camps is being considered. Mgr. Nzapalainga has finally expressed his intention to also visit the camps where the anti-Balaka militiamen are welcomed. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2014)


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