A Vehicle for Pastoral Work in Burundi  

Some time ago, we told you about an appeal from Burundi, a small country in Central Africa that is now regarded as the poorest in the world. It has witnessed repeated genocides and a civil war that lasted from 1993 to 2005. And the political situation is still very unstable. There is fear that a fresh escalation of violence could occur at any time. 

The Catholic Church in Burundi is doing everything it can to promote reconciliation in society and  heal the wounds of the past. This is the only basis on which a peaceful future can be built. Among those working for this goal are the De Montfort Fathers in the parish of Bwoga-Chioggia, on the outskirts of the capital, Gitega. It is a parish that covers three of the city’s poorest quarters, and about 39 villages in the surrounding area. The Fathers devote themselves especially to working with young people.  

The Fathers have to visit the faithful on a regular basis, and for this, they were in urgent need of a vehicle – they had been traveling by foot. And so they turned to us for help, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to send them $26,781. With this money, they were able to buy a car, to the delight of all involved! 

Father Jean-Trésor Bafengo, the parish priest, has written to thank us: “Our country is in a stage of national reconciliation, and so we decided, on the basis of our experience, to play our part in this reconciliation, which is one of the principal challenges for the Church. We are trying to guide the young people forward, in a spirit of peace and personal responsibility. Up until now, we had to walk everywhere, and it cost us a great deal of time, visiting all 39 villages. But now, with the vehicle you have given us, we are in a position to reach all our faithful. On behalf of all the Catholics in the parish of Bwoga-Chioggia, we want to say a heartfelt thank you!“ 

Code: 112-01-29