(I'm surprised that this isn't getting more attention. CAP)
The Catholic clergy of the Central African Republic launched a strike last May 27 to protest the removal of Bangui Archbishop Paulin Pomodimo -- who is only 54 years old and had been appointed as Archbishop in 2003 -- after the Vatican found him guilty of "a moral attitude which is not always in conformity with his commitments to follow Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience". Another bishop, François-Xavier Yombandje, had resigned last May 16, apparently for the same reason. Msgr. Yombandje had once been the President of the Central African Bishop's episcopal conference, while Archbishop Pomodimo had been the senior cleric in the whole country.
During the strike, all parishes were closed and all religious services and sacraments were suspended. The strike, initially intended to last indefinitely, was lifted on May 28; the spokesman of the country's diocesan clergy, Mathurin Paze Lekissan, asserted that their protest was aimed at the "lack of consultation" from the Vatican over the replacement of Archbishop Pomodimo. The strike itself came after a general gathering in Bangui cathedral of the indigenous clergy of the country had denounced the Holy See's "discrimination" against Archbishop Pomodimo.
The episcopal resignations came in the wake of a Vatican investigation into the Church in the Central African Republic, which confimed the widespread disregard for the vow of celibacy among the clergy of that nation. Reporting on the situation, a local newspaper claimed that in the majority of parishes in the country, the priests cohabit with women and often have children of their own.
The Central African Republic -- once a French colony -- is 21% Catholic, and is reputed to be a bastion of Catholicism in Africa. In the wake of the endless crisis in the Church in the West, Catholic publications have often taken to unreservedly praising Africa as the hope of the Church. Perhaps a reality check is needed.
Sources: Catholic Culture and Africa News. (Each linked site leads to other news articles on the same situation)
