hroughout the ten-year war, Xaverian missionary Bishop George Biguzzi, who has served the Church in Sierra Leone for more than a quarter century, has never abandoned his cheerful nature, nor his people in their suffering.
"Over a million refugees, more than 100,000 dead and mutilated," Bishop Biguzzi says. "Their fate breaks my heart. We have to protect these innocent people."
Bishop Biguzzi was personally touched by the civil conflict in this West African nation of 4 millions and half inhabitants. On one of those occasions when he joined others in an attempt to liberate child soldiers, Bishop Biguzzi recalls, "Rebels fell upon us and tore off everything we had: watches, rings, belts, shoes, everything. They shot bullets to just barely miss our feet."
It's over two years now since truce is in effect for much of the country, and an estimated 80 percent of the refugees have been able to return to their homes. Xaverian Missionaries, who never totally left Sierra Leone, are now back working, almost full-strength, in parishes and mission stations.
Presidential and parliamentary elections were held, infrastructures such as schools, roads, and public buildings are being repaired or rebuilt, and the situation is getting better. This enlivens a sense of trust and hope, provides work and helps to live with the memory of the past.
"For me it is like living a dream", Bishop Biguzzi says.
We must give primary attention to those areas which we haven't yet reached, to those peoples who have not yet received the first proclamation of Christ, and to those activities necessary to that end. We have perceived that this is the right moment for us to step in and bring the Gospel message to these people which will help them in this important point of their history.
Xaverian Father Bepi Berton, adds: "With the end of the war, we got out of hell, but we're still in purgatory. Before, there was one precise goal in front of us: to help those who had run away. The adrenaline was glowing, our ears alert, emergencies constant. Between one horror and another, one did what one could with one's whole heart and strength, but this was never enough. At night, exhausted, you'd go to be hoping there would be no emergencies.
Recovery, however, is very hard. When you go to bet at night, you mull over problems not resolved and which you must face again tomorrow, and you toss and turn...
However, now we feel quite secure. We can travel throughout the country, - roads permitting; - prices are within reach. From a social point of view, however, the situation is difficult. There doesn't seem to be enough funds to create jobs. And those who want to return to cultivate their fields, where do they get the needed seeds, and how are they to live until harvest time? Yet, ever so slowly, the social structure is being reassembled, families are re-finding themselves, and the struggle against corruption continues, though not on an even footing. It's a pleasure to see people make mud-bricks with their bare hands to put up two-room shanties, but it is an outrage to see enormous and beautiful palaces built of re-enforced cement and in high places of difficult access. Yes, was has its rewards... for some!"
Even so, Sierra Leone, after such a long and dramatic war, is now living through a period of relative peace. Everything must be rebuilt and renewed. Also the mission. Also the Church.
"Together with the nation which seeks to rise again," writes Fr. Anthony Guiotto, Xaverian Provincial Superior there, "We missionaries feel the need to renew the mission. Naturally, the first thing we must renew is our own life, our missionary commitment, and evangelization, ours and of our ministry, for it constitutes the specific demand of our charism, the yardstick by which to measure what we do as missionaries.
"More than to parishes already established, we must give primary attention to those areas which we haven't yet reached, to those peoples who have not yet received the first proclamation of Christ, and to those activities necessary to that end. We have perceived that this is the right moment for us to step in and bring the Gospel message to these people which will help them in this important point of their history.
"All seek a way to start life anew. The people want to live again: they are rebuilding their lives, recovering their values, putting together again their social and economic situation at the local level, in the village, in the family and personally. We missionaries give our contribution and our support, favoring attitudes, proposals and actions buy which the people, and particularly our Christians, seek renewal."
"But - continues Fr. Guiotto, - we are convinced that most important is for us to be, by our own life and presence, of incentive and encouragement for these people not to give up, but to go forward and recover the values they lost. As a means to that end, we are engaged in education, catechesis and health initiatives. And in this way, I think, we are offering an effective and qualified presence in the midst of our people."
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)