Central African Republic: Tributes to murdered priest

Fr Albert Tungumale Baba

Source: Fides

Parishioners and colleagues paid tribute to Fr Albert Tungumale Baba, who was killed, together with about 20 faithful on 1 May when gunmen from Km5 attacked the church of Notre Dame de Fatima in Bangui, Central African Republic.

"Fr Albert, 71 years old and among the oldest priests of the clergy of Bangui, was a pastor esteemed and known for his simplicity and sympathy, and above all for his discreet and tireless work for reconciliation between Christians and Muslims," Fr Federico Trinchero, a Carmelite of the monastery of Our Lady of Carmel in Bangui, writes.

"During the most acute phases of the war, he had received thousands of refugees from neighbouring areas for several years in his parish, very close to Km5. Fr Albert, moreover, was known to all for his great love for Sango, the national language of Central Africa. Fr Albert could translate every word (without using French), with brilliant solutions or funny words", said the missionary.

Fr Federico writes: "In an interview Fr Albert had said that only God can now save Central Africa. Many are still trying to save Central Africa: the national army, the African Union troops, the French mission (which still has the great merit of having prevented the conflict from becoming a massacre), the soldiers of the European Union, MINUSCA, the great mission of the UN (which, albeit with all its limitations, is currently the only possible solution) and now the Russians are on the horizon. Even Pope Francis tried with his visit in November 2015, unfortunately, the effect of that visit vanished and the opportunity to turn page was once again wasted. Clashes have multiplied over the entire country and peace seems almost more distant than before."

The missionary reiterates that "the war in Central Africa, which began as early as 2012, is not a religious or ethnic clash. Rather it is the umpteenth conflict for the conquest of power and for the exploitation of the riches of which the subsoil abounds. Unfortunately, the confessional element has entered violently, poisoning the coexistence between Christians and Muslims that made Central Africa an example of peaceful coexistance."

During his homily, at the funeral of the murdered priest and some of the victims, His Eminence Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui, denounced the inertia of the government, the slowness of the UN and the risk that Christians give in to discouragement or, worse still, to the logic of violence and revenge. There is an insidious enemy that is destroying Central Africa. And this enemy, the Cardinal pointed out, is the devil. Only the weapons of faith can overcome it.

"Bangui, wounded at the heart of its faith, is not angry with God. It is rather angry with those men who do not want peace and persist in blocking the Country, as if it were ineluctably condemned to misery and war. Bangui and all of Central Africa are looking for heroes - among the rulers, soldiers, the young - who stand up as one man and say no to war and yes to peace", concluded Fr Federico.