Having concluded the Spiritual Exercises with the Provincial Councils of the entire Africa-Madagascar Region, yesterday the Rector Major took part in the last appointments of his program in Cameroon. Accompanied by Fr. Roland Mintsa, Superior of the Equatorial Tropical Africa Vice-Province (ATE), he paid a courtesy visit to the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Msgr. Julio Murat, and spoke with him about the presence of the Church in the two countries, the role of the Salesians, the apostolic priorities... Afterward, on his return to the provincial house, he was the guest of honor at a moment of greeting and celebration, followed by a visit to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Yaoundé to celebrate the Eucharist with them on the occasion of the monthly commemoration of Mary Help of Christians.
Early this morning, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco began his journey towards Equatorial Guinea, which however included another stop on Cameroonian soil, at Ebolowa, the country’s oldest work. There he met with the Salesian community, with the pre-novices and also the young people of the Vocational Training Centre, the members of the Salesian Radio "RCDM", the Technical Institute and the Youth Centre and the Salesian Family. He also visited the local Bishop, Mgr Philippe Alain Mbarga.
In the afternoon, continuing his journey southward, the Rector Major finally entered Equatorial Guinea, stopping first at Ebebiyin, the diocesan seat of the Salesian Bishop Miguel-Angel Nguema Bee. Since the latter is now in Europe, Fr. Á.F. Artime was received by the Vicar General, the other priests of the diocese, and the Salesians of the community of Micomeseng - the youngest of the three works of the Sons of Don Bosco in the country, started in 1985 and comprising a parish, an oratory, and primary and secondary schools.
In the coming days, the Rector Major shall also visit the country’s other two Salesian works: in Bata, started in 1972, with an oratory and youth center, parish, elementary, vocational and secondary schools; and in the capital Malabo, started in 1982, featuring an oratory, youth center, parish, elementary and secondary schools, and a vocational training center, and which also provides pastoral service to villages.
The two works, moreover, stand out in the country because they manage, at the request of the government, two Spanish institutes that are highly appreciated by the population, the Spanish authorities, and the national authorities – who have been maintaining them economically since the end of Spanish cooperation.
The Rector Major will be in Bata until Monday morning: on Saturday he will dialogue with the community and meet with the youth of the Salesian Youth Movement; the following day he will preside over Sunday Mass with the Salesian Family and the young, and meet with the local bishop, Msgr. Juan Matogo Oyana; on Monday he will greet the students of the schools.
On that same day, Fr. Á.F. Artime will reach Malabo to animate the community; on Tuesday he will meet with the groups of the Salesian Family and the young people who attend the Salesian work.
It is from Malabo that, finally, the Rector Major shall return to Europe, after two memorable weeks in Tropical Equatorial Africa.
