Bata, Equatorial Guinea. With the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by the Bishop of Bata, Msgr. Juan Matogo Oyana, CMF at the Holy Cathedral Church of Bata on the 7th of July 2019, the jubilee that the Padre Xifré Delegation had been celebrating for the100 years of presence in Bata, Equatorial Guinea (1919-2019) came to a close. Father General, Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, Major Superior, Fr. José Engonga Mayo, CMF and his Council, as well as the Missionaries of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, concelebrated in the said Mass that was well attended by the faithful.

The Diaconate Ordination of Rev. Rody Chardin Moukanda, CMF, took place within the celebration. It was a very emotional celebration. They have recalled the steps taken by the Bata Mission in consolidating the Local Church: assumption of the mission; going forth into the continental Region (Nkué, Evinayong, Niefang, Ebebiyin …); formation of the local clergy; formation of agents of evangelization; formation of the Claretian Missionaries themselves; the musical apostolate with the creation of choirs of liturgical animation; the formation of young people and creation of youth groups … all of these, always done in shared mission, in collaboration with the bishops, the local clergy, with other religious congregations and with the laity. It can be affirmed in this way that the mission of Bata has led a true evangelization that has managed to combine the proclamation of the Gospel and human promotion.

Father General expressed his deep gratitude for the mission that the brothers have done in this part of Equatorial Guinea, even up to giving up their lives. He also thanked the support of the people and the Local Church.