AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Archbishop of Bangui appeals to international community to help: the poor people of Central Africa living in conditions of “unspeakable suffering”

Tuesday, 27 September 2005

Bangui (Fides Service)- “There is no money to pay wages, the country is on the point of collapse. The Archbishop’s call is very appropriate” said local Church sources in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, where on Sunday 25 September Archbishop Paulin Pomodino of Bangui, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference launched a pressing appeal to international financial organisations to help the country.
“I call on friendly nations, funding organisations, donors, who have our country at heart to act swiftly” the archbishop said in his homily in Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception cathedral. “The people are living very difficult times, their sufferings are unspeakable”.
“Where are those people who insisted that our country should call elections to restore constitutional order before asking for aid? Are they waiting for Central African Republic to be plunged again into violence before coming to help us?” Archbishop Pomodino asked.
“The Archbishop spoke on behalf of all the people of Central Africa who feel they have been abandoned by the international community” local sources told Fides. “There is widespread frustration to see international aid going to many other countries in the region, but not to our own where the economy is on the point of collapse”. The Archbishop urged all citizens to think of the good of the country. “We are all responsible for our country. By destroying, stealing and sacking the nation’s resources we have killed our country”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2005 righe 25 parole 279)


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