As insecurity and political chaos continue in Burkina Faso, Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo called for prayers as the best way out of the crises for the West African country. Source: Crux.
“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 in a statement on Sunday, after Lt Col Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was ousted in a coup.
Lt Col Damiba came to power in a coup in January. On October 2, he left for Togo, and Captain Ibrahim Traore proclaimed himself the country’s new leader.
Cardinal 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.
The Government yesterday 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 August 15 and September 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,” Cardinal Ouédraogo said.
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Prayer is ‘our Kalashnikov of response,’ says Burkina Faso cardinal (CNS via Crux)
