Bamako, 24 September, 2023 / 8:55 pm (ACI Africa).
Though Chad is significantly Christian, most inhabitants of the Eastern part of the country, which is served by the Apostolic Vicariate of Mongo, are Muslims. Of the 1.7 million people that live in this vastly desert territory, only about 15,000 are Christians, the Bishop of Mongo has said about the figure that translates to less than 1 percent.
The small community is however vibrant, Bishop Philippe Abbo Chen has told the Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need International, adding that local vocations are springing up in Mongo.
He spoke to ACN as the Vicariate prepared the ordination of two new Priests, and shared the joy of having new vocations in “such a difficult environment”.
“We have a vibrant Church!” Bishop Abbo is quoted as saying in the Tuesday, September 19 ACN report, adding, “We have hundreds of baptisms every year. Our community is only a small minority, in an immense territory, but it has a unique evangelizing mission.”
In Mongo, Church leaders are held in high esteem, the Catholic Bishop says, adding that he is sometimes called to intervene in Muslim-Muslim conflicts.