Do You Remember Him at St. John’s?
In the summer of 2006, Father Nestor spent a month at St. John Parish as a visiting priest from the Society of African Missions (SMA). While he was only in our Parish a short time, he made strong connections with several parishioners and they remain in touch. Below are selected quotes from parishioners who wrote letters reflecting on their time spent with Father Nestor (please visit Fr. Nestor: Personal Reflections from Parishioners on our website to read the letters.)
“He was outgoing, personable, pastoral, energetic and curious. He wanted to know everyone and experience everything. He was a tall, elegant man and often spotted around Wellesley wearing the
most colorful African-style shirt.”–Julie and Frank McConville
“I recall introducing Father Nestor to the mayor of Newton, Setti Warren. They had a wonderful chat and Father Nestor later quizzed me at length about how the city was run, how leaders were
chosen and how decisions made.”–John Stewart
Bishop Nestor Today
Most Rev. Dr. Nestor Désiré NONGO AZIAGBIA SMA, age 44, was appointed Bishop of Bossangoa, Central African Republic, in May 2012.
Imagine his responsibility as Bishop to over 350,000 people living in a country where the government has no power, basic services like healthcare and education have collapsed, and there is no rule of law and no police. In this situation of chaos, the Catholic Church stands as virtually the only national institution that still functions. Bishop Nestor and his staff are organizing care for as many as 35,000 people, mostly woman and children, on the 40-acre diocesan compound, the only safe haven to escape the violence.
Bishop Nestor’s Words:
“They have suffered the worst: rape, assassination and murder, kidnapping and ransom demands,
destruction of property, the theft of cows, destruction of farmland, the burning of houses.”“Action needs to be taken fast before it is too late.”
·“We need to give back to the people what they have lost. Their goods, their dignity, and allow them to be
free from fear. We need to give them reasons for hope and for walking again with their head up high.
We give faith and hope, but in the case of Bossangoa, charity has to be shown and fast.”“We have to keep reassuring the people. In fact they are to be responsible for their own lives. I stress this
aspect of self-responsibility.”
Our Response?
We parishioners of St. John’s find ourselves with a unique opportunity to know one of the few people in the chaos of the CAR who can actually provide food, shelter and security for those displaced and can advocate for peace. In next week’s bulletin we will describe how our Lenten Gift Special Collection on April 5-6 will be offered to Bishop Nestor for restoration of church buildings and to help give people their dignity back: to rehabilitate burnt houses, to help re-start farms, to provide Non-Food Items (NFI) and to feed the hungry.
For more information, please the 2014 Parish Lenten Gift page on our website.
