West African Church leaders vow
to join forces against terrorism
 |
| A Catholic church and some of the faithful in Burkina Faso |
Members of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa
have issued a statement in which they pledge to work together to combat
terrorism and pave the way to peace in the region.
By Linda Bordoni
West African church leaders are calling for unity to
counteract the violence perpetrated against Christian churches and communities
in the region and build a peaceful society.
Burkina Faso and Niger, in particular, are reeling from a
spate of jihadist attacks against Catholics in which many have died and
churches and catholic symbols have been destroyed.
In the past week at least 10 people, including a priest,
were killed by unknown assailants during attacks against Catholics in Burkina
Faso, while a priest in Niger was injured in his parish in Niamey Diocese close
to the Burkina Faso border.
Plenary Assembly
Gathered in Ouagadougou for its 3rd Plenary
Assembly, Bishops of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA)
said it is “together, in synergy, that violence will be overcome and that the
people will emerge victoriously”.
The Plenary is taking place in Burkina Faso’s capital city
from 13 to 20 May. It was scheduled to focus on the theme of ‘New
Evangelization and Integral Human development in the Church’, but issues
pertaining to the violence have taken center stage.
Noting that his brother bishops are present for the plenary
present despite the current climate of insecurity, the Archbishop of
Ouagadougou and President of the Burkina Faso-Niger Episcopal Conference,
Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, said “The presence of the Bishops of our sister
Churches demonstrates the living solidarity between the communities of West
Africa and the world.”
“The Lord is here with us and we will win”, he said
The Church's contribution to peace and social cohesion
Some civil authorities are also present at the meeting. One
representative of the Economic Community of West African States praised the
Church's intention to contribute to peace and social cohesion.
“This effort is all the more necessary”, he said, because,
as the President of Burkina Faso said following the recent attacks, “terrorists
are trying to unleash inter-municipal and now inter-religious conflicts”.
“Christians have been killed for their faith, without any
other reason, by people who have no morals or ethics,” he said.
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