Catholic Bishop-Elect in CAR Pledges to Reach out to Rebels in Search for Peace

Armed groups have continued to wage attacks against innocent civilians in CAR.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) says, in a February 13 report, that while the security situation in the country is improving, there are recurrent clashes between conflicting parties leading to the displacement of people and disruption to access to livelihoods. 

Mons. Aurelio Gazzera and Bishop Juan José Aguirre. Credit: ACN

Mons. Gazzera, who is widely known for his peace efforts in the country, said in the ACN report that it was his responsibility as a religious leader to seek peace. 

“As a priest, as a pastor and as a bishop, everything that hurts or affects my brothers and sisters also hurts me. So I had the responsibility as a priest – and now I have it even more as a bishop – to look after and protect the people in my care,” the member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) said.

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“The shepherd not only accompanies his sheep, but also defends them from dangers,” said the Bishop-elect who was serving as the Director of Caritas in CAR’s Catholic Diocese of Bouar at the time of his episcopal appointment.

Mons. Aurelio Gazzera, newly appointed Coadjutor Bishop-Elect of Bangassou, embracing Bishop Juan José Aguirre. Credit: ACN

Reacting to his appointment, the Italian-born Bishop-elect said, “On the one hand I am anxious, but on the other hand I feel a deep trust in God.”

Credit: ACN

“The strength to be a bishop does not come from myself, but from the Lord. I did not seek this ministry. Jesus said: ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you’,” Mons. Gazzera said, and added, “I know that I am neither worthy nor capable of it, but He knows more about me than I do, and He has more confidence in me than I have in myself. And a great multitude of people are praying for me and rejoicing in this new gift in my life.”