Bishop Anthony Borwah: “Why has the world forgotten us?”

The question “Where was God?” troubles the people in the diocese of Bishop Anthony Borwah in Liberia. The situation is overwhelming: in this utterly impoverished country on Africa's west coast, more than 10,000 people were infected with Ebola in recent years alone – the epidemic tore nearly 5,000 young and old people straight out of life, out of their families.

The people ask: “Why has the world forgotten us?” Bishop Borwah himself has lost his closest confidants: brothers and sisters, his spiritual companion, his confessor, and many of his friends fell victim to the deadly virus.

But Ebola alone has not been the only thing destroying the people of Liberia. Displacement, flight, mass unemployment, domestic violence, child trafficking, and prostitution are destroying families and the coexistence of generations. Bishop Borwah is deeply convinced: “The friends of Jesus Christ – the nameless and the poor, the women and children, the innocent, and all those who give them a voice – they need both spiritual and material help!”

Material help came quickly and effectively: many doctors, immediate financial aid, and medicines overcame the epidemic – Liberia is free of Ebola today. Bishop Borwah is sacrificing himself for the families and people of his diocese. Although he has lost many priestly friends, he remains courageous and strong in faith. But he needs your help so that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass can once again be celebrated in more communities. Yet thousands upon thousands of destroyed and traumatized families remain. Bishop Borwah emphasizes: “They need more than medicine and something to eat in order to be healed – spiritual help is also urgently needed: they need Christ. They need the Eucharist!”