Card. Ouédraogo said the country was confronted with “murderous terrorism” that leaves in its wake bereaved families, with “many men, women and children being direct or collateral victims of this unjust and useless violence.”
Newsroom (4/10/2022 8:45 PM Gaudium Press) — As insecurity and political chaos continues in Burkina Faso, Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo called for prayers as the best way out of the crisis.
“Our Kalashnikov of response is prayer. This means that we must intensify our prayer in this month of October for peace, peace in our country and everywhere in the world,” the cardinal said on Oct. 2 in a statement after Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was ousted in a coup.
Burkina Faso’s ousted military ruler has gone to neighbouring Togo after rival officers seized power in a coup on Friday, Togo’s government has said. Togo had taken in Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba for the sake of regional peace.
New military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré has urged cabinet ministers to “move faster” to tackle “urgent” problems.
An Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso has worsened since Lt Col Damiba seized power in January.
Ouédraogo said the country was confronted with “murderous terrorism” that leaves in its wake bereaved families, with “many men, women and children being direct or collateral victims of this unjust and useless violence.”
Several people have been killed, and thousands forced to flee from their homes since terrorists started attacking the country in 2015.
On Oct. 3, the government said 11 soldiers were killed, and about 50 civilians went missing in the north of the country following a “barbaric attack” by suspected jihadists.
Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, a military offensive left at least 80 terrorists dead, according to military sources.
“Faced with these challenges of terrorism and political instability, the church, which is closely linked to the world and its history, can only be a sign and witness of solidarity by promoting a world of love and fraternity,” Ouédraogo said.
He called on people to pray at Mass because Mass “is the source and summit of all Christian life.” He also urged people to participate in eucharistic adoration, the rosary and novenas.
“Let us pray together for all the victims of the terrorist attacks, for the bereaved families and for the conversion of those who cause death,” the cardinal said.
– Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
