Crises of “moral, civic values, educational system” among CAR Challenges: Catholic Bishops

CECA members further say, “The absence of civic education courses, which were formerly offered in schools with the aim of instilling civic responsibilities and the culture of patriotism constitutes a serious failure in the process of nation building.”

In their June 26 collective statement, Catholic Bishops in CAR say the Central African nation “is still experiencing a new form of crisis of unity around the national dialogue as a path towards building peace.”

Although significant progress has been made towards a return to peace throughout the country, CECA members regret the fact that “some areas and regions of our country are still under the control of armed groups that abuse the population.”

“The lack of adequate means and equipment hinders the ability of our military to defend the people,” the Catholic Bishops in CAR further say, and add, “This disastrous presence of armed groups is a source of paralysis. This prevents the population from going about their business.”

They continue, “The free movement of goods and people is severely hampered” due to the presence of these armed groups.  

“Schools and public institutions do not function normally. Political and administrative authorities are deserting their posts or refusing to go there. In some towns, a food crisis is feared due to the destruction of fields and theft of oxen,” Catholic Bishops in CAR bemoan.

In the statement issued at the end of CECA members’ June 20-27 Plenary Assembly in Bambari, the Catholic Church leaders say, “There are concerns about the modification of the constitution during and after the Republican Dialogue, as well as the issue of crypto-currency, which are now a source of worry and concern.”

Added to this, CECA members say, the country is also facing with “great difficulty” the problem of fuel shortage.

“This paralyzes in a general way the socio-economic life of the nation,” they say, and add, “It is causing a sharp rise in the price of foodstuffs and basic necessities, with stocks running out.” 

They express the fear that in hospitals, “there will be an increase in the number of deaths and a lack of emergency care for the sick.”

The Catholic Bishops in CAR further say their country is also feeling the effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“We recall that the war in Ukraine is intolerable and we call on the two parties in conflict as well as their allies to immediately stop the fighting, in order to privilege the path of dialogue for an effective peace,” Catholic Bishops in CAR say.

They add, “War means human and material destruction, abuses, rape and violation of human rights, property, places of worship and the manipulation of religious beliefs. When one has experienced it, one cannot wish this horror on any people.”

The Catholic Church leaders encourage the parties in the conflict “to spare no effort to seek and find solutions to alleviate the suffering of our people.”

In their June 26 ten-page statement signed by the nine Catholic Bishops in CAR, CECA members also highlight the progress made in the synodal process in the country.

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“The broad consultation desired by the Holy Father has made it possible to free the word and to gather fruits likely to contribute to the consolidation of a Church called to rediscover and to take the path of synodality,” they say.

The Catholic Bishops add, “Fruitful exchanges with our Protestant and Muslim brothers and sisters allowed us to measure how ecumenism and interreligious dialogue have a very promising future in our country.”  

“The wide-ranging diocesan consultations of the lay faithful of Christ and of people who have no religious affiliation show the courage and love of truth of a Church called to renewal,” they further say in reference to the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality.

Hinting to the theme of the Synodal process, the Catholic Church leaders say the consultations “have exposed the strengths and various obstacles to communion, participation and mission.”

They further say the synodal process has also allowed “our Church to be more sensitive to the deep malaise of the weak, the small and the marginalized.”

The broad consultations confirmed the existence of various councils at the level of the Diocesan curia and Parishes that “help in the government of the Church”, CECA members say.

However, they add, “Several behaviors were identified as obstacles to synodality. Authoritarianism, clericalism and divisions within the clergy are just some of the sad expressions.”  

As a way forward, the Catholic Bishops in CAR encourage members of the Clergy, women and men Religious, and the Laity “to participate together in promoting a true framework of Christian brotherhood.”

“Priests, by virtue of their office, are called to show greater pastoral concern, to be attentive to the sense of faith of the laity and to respect the dignity of their charism and ministry,” members of CECA say.

They recommend that the “consultative and ecclesial method be favored for a greater effectiveness of the different organs of participation.” 

Catholic Bishops in CAR further invite “each baptized person to be a true artisan of the synod and to spread its fruits in his or her environment.”  

“To walk together, in fact, is to promote a culture and civilization of peace and love that triumphs over hatred, jealousy and fear of the other,” they add. 

The Catholic Church leaders implore, “May the Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed and Most Holy Virgin Mary, bless his Church in Central African land and may he make the light of his face shine on it.”