CENTRAL AFRICA – “Science and faith united in the fight against Covid-19”, recalls Cardinal Nzapalainga
“The Covid-19 pandemic is an evil to be faced with faith and reason in love. Dear brothers and sisters, we cannot take refuge in any doctrine to ignore this disease that is dangerously destroying our humanity”, said Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui, in the homily at the beginning of the pastoral year, Sunday 27 September, during which a new priest and two deacons were consecrated.
After recalling that “as a Pastor and anxious to prevent further contagion and save lives, I took on the responsibility of inviting experts to help us better understand this pandemic and the need to continue to comply with the main protective measures: washing of hands, masks, social distancing”. The Cardinal stressed that “as believers, we have opened ourselves to welcome God’s wisdom. Imams, pastors, priests and nuns started from the sacred texts on sickness and healing, to invite us to always place our trust in God, the Master of life”.
In particular, Cardinal Nzapalainga points out, Christians must always keep in mind that “Jesus Christ did not remain indifferent to the sufferings of humanity. He healed Simone’s mother-in-law and the blind man. He brought Lazarus back to life”. “Today he entrusts us with the mission of saving lives. While the world is in a panic over this pandemic, I tell you that Jesus knew what suffering meant”.
Indeed, Cardinal Nzapalainga recalls that “for us Christians, because of Jesus, death is a passage to eternal life. From now on, each in his own state is invited to turn to God and invoke him. This is what the Bishops of the Central African Republic urge us to do through the intercessory prayer against the coronarivus which I invite you to read every day at 6, 12 and 6 pm in order to be in communion with one another”.
With regards to social issues, the Cardinal noted that the candidates in the presidential elections on December 27 “have begun to promise mountains and wonders”. But the Cardinal asked himself: “Will they be able to repair the roads? Build bridges, schools and hospitals? Rebuild the army? Employ young people? Drive out the rebels? Promote unity? Abandon tribalism, regionalism and put the right man in the right place? Find good partners for the development of the country? I invite you to read the message of the Bishops on the elections entitled “Let my people out”.
“Dear brothers and sisters and all of men and women of good will, our nation has experienced an unparalleled crisis marked, among other things, by arbitrary exclusions and inadmissible intrusions. I sincerely hope that the next elections will allow the integration of the various components of the people in the management of the Country. Time is no longer for division but for unity. We can only achieve this if we are humble”, concluded the Cardinal. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/10/2020)
