Formation session for priest in the Central African Republic

The Church in the Central African Republic faces many specific challenges, ranging from dealing with trauma to the ever-present risk of landmines. ACN is supporting the Diocese of Bouar’s formation sessions to help priests and deacons respond to these challenges.

By ACN Staff

Formation session for priests in the Diocese of Bouar. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest and most underdeveloped nations in the world and continues to be plagued by constant unrest and attempted coups. Many areas of the country are under the effective control of a variety of armed rebel groups.

Formation session for priests in the Diocese of Bouar. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The Church continues to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and bring the Sacraments to the people. But at the same time, the Church has also stepped in to help in many areas that are properly the responsibility of the state. For example, in providing basic health care, running schools and kindergartens, providing development aid, negotiating with the various armed groups, and again and again offering sanctuary for the victims of the rebel attacks.

The challenges facing priests and pastoral workers are immense. And so, every year the Diocese of Bouar organises a few days of meetings, covering various topics, for the support and ongoing formation of its current pastoral team of 45 priests and deacons. This year a psychiatrist will be helping them to understand the crucially important issue of how to cope with people who have been traumatised by violence.

Sadly, there are many such people in the country who have suffered the trauma of rebel attacks on their homes and villages, been forced to witness family members and neighbours being brutalised and murdered, or had their own homes burned down. Indeed, the priests themselves have frequently witnessed this kind of violence and found themselves obliged to try and help its victims – or indeed themselves been the victims of such attacks and threatened with guns or other weapons.

Fr. Norberto Pozzi being transported to a helicopter after his car was hit by a mine. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Recently, landmines have also become a growing threat, buried on roads and tracks by the rebels. Many people have been wounded or even killed, and from the beginning of this year until April two missionary priests from the Diocese of Bouar have also been affected. On February 10, Italian Carmelite Father Norberto Pozzi (71) drove over a landmine, which exploded directly under his front wheel. Astonishingly, he survived but was seriously injured and lost his left foot as a result. Then on April 16 another Italian priest, Sacred Heart Father Arialdo Urbani (83) also drove over a landmine. He himself was uninjured, but four of his passengers were killed, including two children. He had already survived an earlier landmine explosion in 2021, which killed his co-driver.

The ongoing formation programme also includes training in the safeguarding of minors and other questions of parish administration, something for which many priests have little prior training.

These formation sessions have already proved to be extremely valuable in previous years, and so we are keen to support them again this year, with a contribution of €4,200.