- svd-generalate
- / Fr. General's Visit
- / Fr. Anselmo R. Ribeiro / Superior General
Chad: A Young Church and Fertile Ground for Evangelization
The SVD presence is concentrated in the south, and the journey from the capital, N’Djamena, to Moundou can take up to half a day. The national road is currently being expanded, causing detours. At this time of year, the landscape is dry, but there are vast cultivable fields. The soil is fertile. During the rainy season, the plains flood, which I imagine is the reason for that fertility. Many settlements line the road. The Muslim population seems to be predominant, though this impression fades as we move further south. The bustling roadside markets add a vibrant touch to the route. There’s no shortage of things to sell—or buyers to purchase them. The road winds past herds of cattle and goats, and caravans of camels can be seen along the edges. Nomadic camps that hadn’t yet been set up when I first arrived in the country were plentiful on my way back to the capital.
Our mission in Chad began in 2004 in Laramanaye, in the Diocese of Goré. The parish established in the region is dedicated to Saint Arnold Janssen. In addition to parish ministry, our confreres run 15 primary schools and five kindergartens within the diocese. Four years ago, the TCD Mission opened a secondary school, which now has nearly 200 students.
In the Diocese of Sarh, in addition to parish ministry, our mission includes a postulancy program at Maison Saint Joseph Freinademetz. Seven candidates are studying philosophy, and four are in their propaedeutic year. Two confreres originally from Chad are studying theology in Congo, and two others are novices in Ghana.
The Mission is also responsible for two parishes in the dioceses of Moundou and Goré. Two confreres serve the local Church—one teaches at the Catholic University and another serves as Vicar General—demonstrating that the SVD presence goes beyond parish work.
Why is the TCD Mission considered the most challenging in our Congregation? We need to revisit this perception. During the mini-assembly we held, 14 confreres attended. We reflected on the previous question and added a second: if TCD is the most difficult SVD mission, which are the easiest?
It’s true that the sub-Saharan region has a unique climate, with high temperatures and very low humidity. However, the annual rainy season brings greenery, and the abundance of grains, vegetables, and livestock continues even in the dry season. It’s also true that malaria continues to affect people and our confreres—just as it does in other PRMs located in vulnerable areas and climates favorable to the disease. The image of a desert may also apply to community and personal life. The remoteness of the capital and the absence of an urban center with the amenities we’re used to complicate life and provoke other feelings: loneliness, nostalgia, the search for spiritual meaning, or a renewed sense of mission.
I don’t downplay any of these factors. On the contrary, I insist that the TCD Mission find creative ways to make our life and mission increasingly meaningful. I stress that community life must always be cared for so that no member feels alone. Our involvement in education and the opportunity to offer our services to the local Churches—using our skills and areas of expertise—should serve as a path to revitalization for our confreres and growth for the mission.
Still, even with the challenges mentioned and others I wasn’t able to face myself, I wouldn’t label our mission in this country as the most difficult of the SVD. Chad is our mission field. The warm welcome from Christian communities, the good relationships with local leaders, and the respect we receive from our Muslim brothers allow us to be there and to receive more missionaries. The TCD Mission needs committed missionaries who are willing to dedicate their lives to evangelization. The Church in Chad will celebrate its centenary of evangelization in 2029. It is a young Church. Our presence here is also recent—we are nearing the silver jubilee of our mission. It is time to stabilize our presence, set priorities, and plan for the future. Chad is fertile ground for the Gospel, and we are truly welcome here.
Buon arrive au Tchad!
Anselmo Ribeiro, SVD
Father General
