Superior General visits Sudan: “Reflection on future scenarios is lively with hope”

Fr. Luigi Codianni arrived in Port Sudan on Tuesday 4 November. On Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6, he had the opportunity to visit the new branch of Comboni College of Science and Technology, the secondary school and some of our schools in the suburbs. He met online with Mons. Daniel Adwok, who was preparing to leave for the Plenary Assembly of Bishops in Malakal. In their conversation, the bishop expressed the desire that the Comboni Missionaries continue their work of catechesis and pastoral care on one hand, and their educational commitment on the other. The bishop also stressed the importance of being realistic in this time of war and thanked the Comboni Missionaries for their witness of resilience in Kosti.

After obtaining the necessary permits (with some delay), the General and the Provincial left on Friday 7 for Atbara to meet the archbishop Michael Didi, to hear from him what the vision of the local Church might be in this time. On Saturday 8, they continued their journey to Kosti, arriving on the morning of Sunday 9, in time for mass. The General was able to visit the parish centres and schools (especially Kadugli, 63, Lea and Goz el Salam). He was very impressed to see that the confreres in Kosti are happy to stay, despite all difficulties. Also among the people, the determination to push on and not giving up is palpable.

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After further delays in obtaining permits, the General and the Provincial left on Thursday 13 for Omdurman, where they joined Fr. Yousif William and Fr. Lorenzo Baccin who had already moved two weeks earlier into the house of the Missionaries of Charity. On Thursday 14, they visited Khartoum (Comboni College, Villa Gilda, Saint Francis school and cemetery, cathedral) and our provincial house in Khartoum North. The desolation of the central area of Khartoum is now just timidly broken by few people footing in the empty streets, but already one can see here and there shops being repaired and men at work to piece together what remains of their houses and workplaces. Our provincial house, on the Nile bank, is quickly being claimed by vegetation, another reminder of life’s resilience and the passing of time; yet, all in all one is to be grateful that the structures are only slightly damaged. On Saturday 15, they visited the parish of Masalma, with its two schools. Hearing how teachers have been ready to work with almost no pay just in order to get children back to school is moving. On Sunday 16, the fathers celebrated with the Christian community in Thaura (block 48).

The visit allowed us to understand that for now it is best to reopen our presence in Masalma, which is why we are now asking the archbishop to appoint one of us parish priest. We are also planning to start some maintenance work (the biggest part is repairing the tin roofs from bullet holes, and then some walls, furniture, and restoring electricity and water).

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The Superior General concluded his visit to Port Sudan with personal talks with the confreres in the community, as well as a meeting online the Provincial Council, along with the General Councilor for APDESAM. Reflection on future scenarios is lively with hope. On the last day, the General took part in the celebration of the mass in Christ the King centre in Inqaz, a south suburb of Port Sudan, where – thanks also to the solidarity of the DSP and the Italian Province– new school facilities were built last year. This is yet one more sign of hope, as the local community prepares itself to become once again a centre where catechesis and liturgies may continue regularly.

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The war in Sudan ravages on, as the terrible news from Darfur remind us. The forest is thick, and at times the way ahead may seem dark and impenetrable. But one step at a time a path opens up.

Fr. Diego Dalle Carbonare