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Bishop in war-torn Central African Republic thanks ACN for support

  • John Newton

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

Speaking about the crisis which has enveloped the Central African Republic, a senior Christian leader has thanked Aid to the Church in Need for supporting the country's Church. Bishop Nestor-Désiré Nongo-Aziagbia of Bossangoa, in the north-west of the Central African Republic, described how ACN had helped the Church's mission in a country torn apart by conflict.

He said: "Today, 70-80 percent of the country is in the hands of armed rebel groups, so that the majority of the country is no longer under state control."

Bishop Nongo-Aziagbia praised Catholic charity ACN for its help during the crisis. He said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to ACN for the many different ways in which it has supported us during these difficult moments of crisis."

ACN aid has included supporting priests and Sisters ministering in a war-torn nation, and rebuilding churches that have been destroyed in the fighting.

The bishop described how the Church was able to help, after clashes in his own diocese between rebel groups Seleka and the RJ led to a mass exodus of people to Markounda in December 2017.

"The Church has been at the forefront of the efforts for reconciliation… We give shelter to the refugees and help those who are in need, without regard to their religion."

He added: "There is a Catholic priest living there and he is trying to foster a relationship of trust between the refugees, the local people and the rebels."

The bishop said that there are no government army or UN troops stationed in Markounda or the surrounding region.

Bishop Nongo-Aziagbia went on to add: "It is a risky business, and anything could happen, but it is essential to establish peace and harmony."

The prelate described how he has been among the priests who have suffered at the hands of rebel groups, as the Church ministers to the people and promotes reconciliation.

He said: "I was kidnapped on one occasion, together with some priests. The bishop of Bangassou was threatened. A number of priests narrowly escaped death in Bangassou, and some were killed in Bambari. That is all part of our mission, as witnesses to Christ."

ACN has also helped with pastoral aid, including help for the ongoing formation of priests, seminarians and catechists.

Bishop Nongo-Aziagbia told the charity: "I can only express my profound gratitude and continue to be in close communion with you in spirit and in heart."

Aid to the Church in Need is a Pontifical Foundation directly under the Holy See. As a Catholic charity, ACN supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in need through information, prayer, and action.

Founded in 1947 by Fr Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope St John Paul II named "An outstanding Apostle of Charity", the organisation is now at work in 140 countries throughout the world.

Undertaking thousands of projects every year, the charity provides emergency support for people experiencing persecution, transport for clergy and lay Church workers, Child's Bibles, media and evangelisation projects, churches, Mass stipends and other support for priests and nuns and training for seminarians.

To read more about Aid to the Church in Need see: www.acnuk.org


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