Help for the Training of Seven Seminarians in Chad

The apostolic vicariate of Mongo in eastern Chad serves an area of almost two million square miles. The majority of the country is Muslim, and Christians are a small minority. 

The vast area of the vicariate is divided into six parishes. The Catholic faithful are served by over a dozen priests, but most of them are not natives of the country, and two of them are older than 80. The formation of local priests is a top priority for Bishop Philippe Abbo Chen, who is himself a native of Chad. It was, therefore, an occasion of great joy when two local priests were ordained earlier this year. And in addition to this, seven young men from his vicariate are training for the priesthood. But each of them must spend part of his formation in the city of Sahr and in the capital city of N‘Djamena, both of which are hundreds of miles away.

Not surprisingly, it is a massive challenge for the apostolic vicariate of Mongo, with its poor Catholic faithful, to cover the costs of training these future priests – costs that include travel, study fees, accommodations, and necessities like food, clothing, and medical care. 

The community does their best to contribute. “They made a special collection for the seminarians,” the bishop tells us. “But given their own poverty, this was very little in relation to the cost of formation.” So he has turned to ACN for help, and we are offering a contribution of $4,487 for the training of these seven young men who have answered the call of God. 

Code: 155-02-79