On December 16, 1971, Fathers Nicolò Ellena, Marco Conte, Agostino Mazzocchi and Carlo Cencio arrived in Bozoum, in the parish of San Michele, to help the Capuchin friars and then succeed them. Among the Capuchins at that time was Fr. Armando Gianni, a future bishop of Bouar. This was the beginning of the Mission in Central Africa of the Discalced Carmelites of the Genoa Province. In 1973, Fr. Carlo founded the parish of the Child Jesus in Baoro. In 1982, the Genoa Provincial Council declared the Mission in Central Africa as a Provincial Delegation of the Discalced Carmelites.
The year 2021 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Carmel in the Central African Republic. The Eucharist on Sunday, December 20, marked the opening of the fiftieth anniversary. The celebration was presided over by Bishop Mirek Gucwa of Bouar. Our joy was great not only for the presence of so many faithful, but also for the gift of two new priests: Father Martial and Father Jeannot-Marie.
This anniversary is an opportunity to thank all those who, in one way or another, have assisted Carmel to take root in in the land of Central Africa, and to prepare the next fifty years in the company of many Central African friars.
