The Mission of Vincentian priests in the Central African Republic
Father Joseph YONKI, cm reflects in this edited version…
I write as one who has recently arrived as a Vincentian missionary in Central Africa. I am progressively discovering the realities of the country as well as the mission. Please do excuse me if I do not state all the aspects of our mission. I hope to give you enough information to visualise our activities in Central Africa Republic.
The Vincentian family in Central Africa desires to support this very important mission so full of hope for the vice province of Cameroon. The first group of the missionaries, to answer the call of the Vincentian family, was composed of: Fr. Seraphin ZOGA, Deacon Daniel DONGMO, and two seminarians in Central Africa Republic. It was the first mission for the Region of Cameroon, (at that time) out of Cameroon.
We should note that the Vincentian family is well represented in Central Africa Republic. We have numerous members in The Miraculous Medal and the group is super active. In addition to that, the group received more than 50 new members during a mass celebrated by the general vicar with Vincentian priests as co-celebrants on the 19th of December 2015. Furthermore, we have: Saint Vincent de Paul Society, JMV, The Daughters of Charity, etc. All these groups mentioned above are doing an enormous and wonderful work to the poor “our masters and lords.” Saint Vincent de Paul is well known in Central Africa Republic, thanks to these Vincentian apostolic groups. As for the Vincentian priests in the collaboration with all the apostolic groups, they are widening their pastoral activities.
We want to offer brief insights into our mission and activities. The mission of Central Africa, perfectly and precisely frames our conviction and norms as stated in our vice-provincial rules: accompany of the apostolic groups in general and the Vincentian in particular, and, in addition to accompany youth. Helping and visiting the prisoners and the sick either in the hospital and or at their various location, are at the top of our mission and activities in Central Africa Republic.
The three missionaries priests in Central Africa: Fr. Seraphin ZOGA, Fr. Etienne KOTTO-WAWE and Fr. Joseph YONKI engaged at the moment in three different sectors which are very important, namely: education, the parish and the apostolic groups. The Saint Anne’s parish of Kassaї was entrusted to us since 2007. (We are happily already looking forward to the 10th anniversary). Despite the situation of the country in extremely difficult times, Christians remain publicly engaged and motivated even if the parish is under construction (to the level of foundation). The presbytery building whose construction was started years ago, is not finished, still at the level of the foundation. The church can no longer contain the fast growing Christians. After the first planting or laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a new church, no development has been done. (That was years ago). The parish alone cannot sufficiently raise funds/finance to accomplish the construction of the church. The presbytery is so small that it can accommodate just one person. Therefore it needs enlargement for the community life of the missionaries. This is the first challenge for the congregation.
Education…
In the contribution to the education of the children in the quarter of Kassaï, the school Saint Benard de Menthon was created for this purpose. It was not easy for the junior pupils to walk many kilometres per day to school. Thus, the population pleaded with Fr. Séraphin ZOGA if he can do something. It is in this pledge that the primary school, secondary school respectively were created. The secondary is actually situated at a bit far from the parish, the site which was reserved for the orphanage. This was so because the building which was already fixed for its purpose was completely destroyed during the cold war in 2013. Furthermore, on the contribution of education, one of the biggest libraries in the country is owned by the Vincentian priests. On the other hand, classes are organised to support and increase the level of the students.
Following lay people and other animation…
The lager, numerous and diverse Vincentian family which solicits the Vincentian priests, other groups also do the same for recollections, offerings, talks, spiritual direction and others. Talking about other activities that the Vincentian priests organized is the “Radio Maria” which began functioning in November 2015 with Fr. Etienne KOTTO-WAWE as the Director. Things seem to be moving well at this subject too.
To conclude, the mission of Central Africa Republic remains a very interesting and captivating mission. The poor and the needy are always on the lookout as Jesus Christ said, just to say that the political situation has render many people poor and more needy in many different ways: orphans, widows, traumatized, exiled, mal nutrition…
The biggest worry is the consolidation of the community for more efficient pastoral work. If energies and force are not converged and shared, we are doing a good work but dispersed and/or in disunity. When dialogue is openly shared and collaborated, it will be easy to serve the poor and needy. The good will is not sufficient enough for us Vincentians to better do the pastoral work but the community life is the most essential and the starting block for the mission. That is another challenge for us.
Father Joseph YONKI, cm
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