Kościół katolicki w Czadzie wobec problemów gospodarczych, społecznych i politycznych kraju

The Catholic Church in Chad is a young community, including about 8% of the population. However from the beginning of missionary activity it has had a large input into help with development and defence of human rights. Help in development is concentrated on agriculture, since the majority of the population relies on agriculture. From 1964 missionaries have created many centres for professional training of farmers, mainly in the south of the country. A large role in the development of the countryside has been played by on the spot meetings, courses and training. One of the important elements of training has always been management and use of money. In every diocese in Chad there are diocesan health committees. The work of the church in this area includes running of hospitals, clinics and also training on a large scale (e.g. hygiene, building of latrines, access to drinking water, variation of diet, cleanliness in the home and immunisation programmes for children and adults). In some missionary centres efforts have been made to take advantage of achievements in traditional medicine. Emphasis has been also put on AIDS prevention and healing the sick. Beginning with local initiatives of help with development, covering various aspects of economic life, these have, with time, developed diocesan structures, countrywide and even linking into international organisations. Currently the work in Chad is overseen by the National Union of Diocesan Associations for Aid and Development (Union Nationale des Associations Diocesaines de Secours et de Developpement - UNAD). A particularly varied and rich activity is being lead by the Chad organisation for Catholic Aid and Development (SECADEV). It was created in 1980 in the diocese of Ndjamena to help refugees. The organisation employs 200 people and co-operates with 1000 village organisations. The Bishops in Chad often took part in issues relating to the war and lack of democracy and also tribalism and corruption. The views of the episcopate, expressed in pastoral letters, were also demonstrated in actual activities at national level and in individual regions or missions, mainly thanks to local and countrywide committees Iustitia et Pax. These committees also cooperated on issues associated with human rights with other local and international organisations.