Sunday, 22 July 2012

The community meets the bishop of Bissau

Yesterday, July 21, a eight-member delegation of our Catholic community was able to meet the bishop of Bissau, Mgr. Jose Camnate na Bissing. Two were the points in the agenda: 1. The appointment of a new assistant priest for the community; 2. The choice of the parish of reference. 
It was agreed that the Josephine fathers, namely fr. Andrew and fr. Edward, who are both Sierra leoneans, will be the new assistants of the community. The bishop already spoke to them and is waiting now for the answer of their religious superior, on whom they depend. Naturally, the other priests who helped in the past (fr. Celso, por example) will collaborate depending on their engagements (fr. Celso is the parish-priest of S. Francis of Assisi parish, Antula).
As to the second point, the community asked to continue meeting at Bra, for in this place "our members feel at home". The bishop agreed and gave his approval for Bra as the parish of reference.
It was the first time that our members had an official meeting with the bishop of Bissau. They were deeply touched by his gentle manners and warm reception: he gave the impression of a good father caring for the well-being of his children, a real shepherd.