Among the five red hats that Francis will appoint during the Consistory on June 28 stands out that of the Archbishop of Bamako in Mali, a country torn by wars and forgotten by the world, but not by the Pope.
“I wish to announce that on Wednesday 28 June I will hold a Consistory for the appointment of five new cardinals. Their origin from different parts of the world manifests the catholicity of the church, spread throughout the earth.” With these words spoken at yesterday’s Regina Coeli, Sunday 21 May, Pope Francis could not have expressed more clearly the choice of his pontificate to pay close attention to those countries - and their shepherds - where Christians are a minority or where relationships between faiths are decisive for peace and stability. This choice entails the will to bring to light those neglected areas and complex situations of war and poverty, while it reaffirms the interest of the Catholic Church .
Mali is undoubtedly among them. The civil war, which broke out at the beginning of 2012, officially ended in 2015. But attacks and clashes continue to strike the country leaving it in a sort of limbo, suspended between a signed- but never fully achieved - peace. Just last March, with a video posted on the internet that quickly became viral, five Qaeda groups operative in the Sahel-Saharan area announced from Mali their will to merge and give life to the armed Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam Wal Muslimin movement, headed by the leader of the tuareg Ansar Dine terrorist, Iyad Ag Ghaly.
The appointment of Monsignor Jean Zerbo is therefore a message sent to a never-pacified country. The archbishop of Bamako, in fact, is known to be a direct reconciliation operator for his country and for showing a clear propensity to dialogue and meeting. In 2012, he was a member of the civil society delegation who participated in the talks held in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) between the military junta and political opposition parties. From that moment on, he has always distinguished himself in the pursuit of national reconciliation and has played an active role in peace negotiations.
Monsignor Jean Zerbo was born in Segou on December 27, 1943. Ordered on 10 July 1971 in Segou, he then went on to study in Lyon. He graduated in Sacred Scripture at the Biblical Institute in Rome and then returned to his country, as a pastor in Markala and as a teacher at the Major Seminary in Bamako. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamako on June 21, 1988, bishop of the Diocese of Mopti on December 19, 1994, while since June 27, 1998 he is the archbishop of Bamako, the capital. Since the beginning of the war, he has appealed for peace.
“It is necessary to immediately open humanitarian corridors to allow aid to be sent to the population without food and medicines“ he told Fides in January 2013, “a new period of suffering is beginning for the people of Mali. We would welcome support so that we can help the increasing number of displaced and refugees. These people need food, drinking water, hygiene kits, anti-malarials and other items to cover their basic needs as the situation worsens.” The Malian prime minister asked his and other religious leaders’ opinion on how to handle the clash inside the army in February 2013. Last but not least his role as President of Caritas Mali often leads him to play decisive roles in the defense of the civilian population.
“Malian Christians are undergoing a test that may be comparable to that of the early disciples” he said recently, still shocked by the abduction of Gloria Country Cecilia Narváez Argoti, a Colombian nun who disappeared last February, and for the difficulties that the tiny Christian community encounters in a country where Islamic extremism has often found fertile ground. But we are sure that everyone can convert. Christians and Muslims need a true conversion of the heart: only then we may bring our beloved country to peace.”
Though forgotten, the war continues to claim victims. France is still very active militarily. Less than a month ago, the French army announced the “neutralization” of some twenty terrorists on the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, the site chosen by the Ansarul Islam group, whose leader is Burkinabe radical preacher, Malam Ibrahim Dicko. That Paris is still very much involved in Mali is evidenced by new President Emmanuel Macron’s visit of last May 18 who, in meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the transalpine troops, reaffirmed his commitment to annihilate terrorism.
“There is much talk about the conflict in the North - Monsignor Jean Zerbo said in an interview with Cuore Amico, months ago, - unfortunately however; bad news comes from the south. In addition to the abduction of our beloved Sister Glory, clashes and disturbances multiply. We hope for the end of the conflicts, But never in the end of men. This is not a Christian feeling: peace can only be achieved through the conversion of the hearts regardless of faith. We Christians are always called to an effort of reconciliation.” His appointment will certainly give more weight and support to his work of peace.
