he Church faces many challenges in serving the people of Sierra Leone.
“We will be working on a ‘new beginning’ for the rest of our lives,” comments Bishop George Biguzzi. “And this is a joy because our people, and especially the young people, are seeking support and answers, and are more than willing to roll up their sleeves and shoulder the burden.”
“After the untold war-sufferings of our people, we are once again invited to proclaim Christ as our Lord and Savior. Because He has risen, a New Life is possible, also here. Death, evil, chaos, the law are not the final answer to humankind’s existence and quest for meaning. Christ, the Crucified and Risen One, is the answer.
This is a joy because our people, and especially the young people, are seeking support and answers, and are more than willing to roll up their sleeves and shoulder the burden.
The long and painful road to rehabilitation, especially of the ex-child soldiers, and reconstruction of the social, political and economic fabric of the country has begun. We commend the effort of the people who have taken up this challenge. We can do all things by the power of Him who strengthens us. However, this task requires new attitudes, new lifestyles, new vision, new ways of being Christians and of being Sierra Leoneans. It is now accepted, by almost all, that we must come together in an effort to build a new Sierra Leone…”
”As we recall the old things that have now passed and the new things that have come to be, we cry out clearly and loudly:
No to the old wineskins of tribalism, nepotism, privileged class advantage;
Yes to the new definition of brotherhood and sisterhood given by Christ: My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it (Luke 8:21).
No to leadership seen as a family business;
Yes to a new leadership as a service to the community.
No to treating the poor and illiterate as useless people without dignity;
Yes to respect for all, especially the weakest and the most vulnerable.
No to treating women and young girls as inferior and weak;
Yes to equality, dignity and respect for every human being.
No to the abuse of children, the exploitation of men pikin (little people) who work in the homes like slaves, but fairness and equal rights for all children.
No to the horrific phenomenon of boy- and girl-soldiers;
Yes to forgiveness, to loving our enemies, to doing good to those who hate us, to blessing those who persecute us, to praying for those who mistreat us.
No to economic exploitation, source of dehumanizing conditions for millions of people.
No to military takeovers which bring about for our people conditions worse than ones they were meant to correct;
No to military dictatorships, however benevolent;
Yes to good democratic government.
Yes to ‘new wineskins’ that will never allow situations of blatant injustice, which transgress the law of God, to rise again…”
”Our Christian spirit must teach us to see everything that happens with the eyes of faith,” concludes Bishop Biguzzi. “We see the tragedy and the suffering of our people. But this also presents us with the chance to witness Christ to the refugees, and the children, the wounded, the rebels… And we thank God and all those who have not abandoned us, but who have accompanied our people by their solidarity, prayer and love.”
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)