It was indeed a formidable task for the new arrivals to begin with. The pioneers however did very well in regularly ministering to the people in remote villages. They have been really enduring in their efforts to adapt themselves to the new situation and to a completely alien culture. Some of the initial difficulties were the harsh climate, frequent attacks of malaria, lack of sufficient knowledge of French and of the local languages besides a near total absence of transport and communication facilities. Against all such odds, the pioneering team successfully initiated a beautiful work for the Lord in great faith, humility and patience.

After having gone through the three difficult years of pioneering in the most trying circumstances at Maybombay and having gained the necessary experience and confidence, the Fransalians were ready to take on the challenge of an altogether new frontier mission in the same diocese of Doba. The Maybombay Mission was therefore handed over to the diocese in September 2002 at the expiry of the three years contract with the bishop.

Christianity in Chad is of very recent origin. The first ever baptisms in Chad  took place only in 1931. A large number of animists in the country are still awaiting the first announcement of the Gospel. There remains also an immense work to be done for the formation of those who are already baptised. The Bero Mission as an integral part of the diocesan pastoral project has the set goal and a clear vision of making the local church a fully indigenous, self-reliant and self-affirming community. Such a goal is attainable only through an arduous process of transforming the believers into a family church, a church in communion with God and with the entire human family.

The parish is regarded as a communion of communities, a communion of all the communities that exist in each village, where priests, sisters and committed lay people announce the gospel, nourish and maintain the growth of faith. Strengthened by the Word and Sacraments they facilitate as well as actively participate in the development of the people and their life conditions. The missionary team in Bero envisages a local church which is missionary and prophetic, a church which is engaged in the world to promote the Gospel values of love, justice, peace and liberty.

The new parish of Bero is a mission full of challenges. As a new centre without any presence of priests or religious in the past the missionary team in Bero is engaged in a twofold apostolate of pastoral ministry and social development. The immediate challenge of the missionary team in Bero is the immense task to be done for the formation of Christians, to deepen their faith, their commitment to Christian values and their daily witness in all spheres of life. The Mission is still deprived of the basic infrastructure. The Sunday Mass is celebrated under the mango trees. A formation centre for the laity with a multipurpose hall and other facilities need to be built up without delay.

The MSFS priests and the DSFS sisters at Bero  work together in collaboration with the laity. The parish is divided into sectors. Each sector has about 8 to10 villages. Each sector has a head-catechist and every village has an animator. The catechists and animators represent “a task force” and are a hope for evangelization and social development. It is in close collaboration with the catechists and the animators that the missionary team in Bero is able to intensify the apostolate of forming a community of Christians, mature in faith, responsible and vibrant in their daily witnessing so as to be able to engage themselves towards the development of the entire human person.

[Fr. Thomas Cherukat msfs, General Councillor and Mission Superior of Chad – Cameroon Missions]