Traumatic episodes such as State coups, the violence and recurrent clashes between opposing factions; but also events of great joy, such as the visit of Pope Francis and the opening of the Jubilee of Mercy at the Cathedral of Bangui: the Salesian missionaries in the Capital of the Central African Republic were witness to all this.
Salesian pastoral action had to take into account what was happening around their centers: the Salesians made welcoming a distinctive sign of their activities, coming to host up to 22,000 displaced people in their courtyards; moreover, faithful to the preferential option for the most needy youngsters and to the educational charism, for years they have been dedicating part of their efforts and commitment to former child soldiers.
Sunday 26 May was thus a day of celebration for many, as the closing of the 25th anniversary of Salesian presence in the Central African Republic was celebrated. The central act was the Mass celebrated in the “St John” parish in the district of Galabadja, during which the Salesian Merci Mbacho made his Perpetual Profession and the Salesians Paterne Modekpo and Lévy-Brad Issené were ordained deacon and priest respectively.
The celebration was presided over by Msgr. Nestor Désiré Nongo Azagbia, bishop of Bossangoa, in the presence of Fr Alphonse Owoudou, SDB, Superior of the Vice Province of "Equatorial Tropical Africa" (ATE), and of several Councilors and Delegates.
Today, through the two houses located in the districts of Damala and Galabadja, the spiritual Sons of Don Bosco animate a nursery and an elementary school, a college, a high school, a medical dispensary, a Vocational Training Center of national importance, two youth centers and various chapels. They are also engaged in the service of evangelization, justice and social cohesion and their name is known and appreciated throughout the country.
