Rome, 14 December 2022. The Convention was signed in Rome at the OFM General Curia, which gives continuity to the presence of the Franciscan friars in Libya. We met His Excellency Bishop George Bugeja, from the Apostolic Vicariate in Tripoli, and Br Sandro Overend Rigillo, Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate in Benghazi.
Can you describe your missionary reality?
Br George: In Tripoli, the only Christian church is the one dedicated to St Francis, built by the then Franciscan Province of Lombardy [now St Anthony Province, ed]. The faithful who make up the community are of different nationalities: almost all the nurses who work in the hospitals and clinics in the area come from the Philippines; we have workers from the oil companies, and also, even if they are not Catholic, the Christian faithful from sub-Saharan Africa, mainly from Nigeria and Ghana, attend our liturgies.
The liturgy takes place exclusively on Fridays, Sunday being a regular weekday in an Islamic country like Libya. So Fridays have become the day for the celebration of the Eucharist, at 9.30 and 11 a.m., and for the parish activities of our community. It is the day of catechesis for children and adults, as well as the market and socialising.
In addition to the church, there is a Caritas office that supplies food and clothing to people in need. Among them, we see many people from different parts of Africa.
Br Sandro: Benghazi is more than an hour's flight from Tripoli; the Christian quarters were bombed in the past, and since 2014 the celebrations take place in our quarters, next to the children hospital. I arrived in Benghazi three years ago, and I will not hide the fact that I was very afraid at first, but once I realised that the area was relatively calm, I quickly settled in. And I was generously welcomed by the locals: they offer me coffee and during Ramadan they bring me food. I do not want to say that problems do not exist but that life is possible in Benghazi, despite everything.I have an image in my mind, and it is that of the meeting between St Francis and the Sultan: like 800 years ago, we Franciscans are the bridge with the Islamic world. As Pope Francis says, we are a Christian bridge of friendship and brotherhood between religions. Christians work in hospitals helping Libyans in their suffering with medical care. Others teach English in Libyan universities.
The Convention signed renews the Franciscan presence in Libya, but there are currently only four friars, two in Tripoli and two in Benghazi. So what must a friar do to be a missionary in Libya?
Br George: it is essential to know English and possibly also Arabic; you do a period of experience in the place and then decide how to proceed. At present there are only four brothers in the two missions: in Tripoli with me there is Br Magdy Helmy who is Vicar General.
Br Sandro: In Benghazi, together with me, there is Br Piotr Borkowski, of the Franciscan Province of St Francis of Assisi in Poland.
Melania Bruno
