Pope Francis called for prayers for the Central African Republic on Sunday, saying the country was experiencing “serious violence”.
Recalling the attack last week that left many, including a priest, dead, Francis prayed: “May the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, help everyone to say ‘no’ to violence, in order to build peace together.” He recalled his joy in visiting the country in November 2015.
On 1 May, the Feast of St Joseph, a priest and at least 25 Catholics were killed after a gun and grenade attack on a Mass in the capital, Bangui. Gunmen stormed Our Lady of Fatima Church, opening fire on the congregation with Kalashnikov rifles and throwing two grenades. One of them killed Fr Albert Toungoumale-Baba close to the pulpit. The church was packed with 1,500 people.
Cardinal Nzapalainga, the Archbishop of Bangui, appealed to the government and UN peacekeeping forces to throw light on the atrocity and ensure justice was done, adding that local Catholics should resist the urge to retaliate. “It’s at most difficult moments like this that true heroes arise and find the strength to propose an alternative, saying no to the evil of violence, barbarism and destruction, and choosing the good of love, forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said. Radio France Internationale reported that the priest’s body had been carried towards the residence of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra by a “large, angry crowd”, which was dispersed after it attacked and set fire to the mosque in Bangui’s Lakouanga district.
United Nations peacekeeping officials in Bangui said the attack on the church had followed the arrest of a member of a “criminal group” in the largely Muslim neighbourhood, which borders the Our Lady of Fatima Combonian mission church. Local sources named the arrested man as an Islamist leader, Moussa Empereur. The district is reportedly home to many ex-Seleka rebels. It was the Islamist faction’s takeover of Bangui five years ago that sparked the country’s current conflict.
President Touadéra declared two days of mourning and visited Cardinal Nzapalainga to convey condolences. The number of dead is expected to rise, said Antoine Mbao Bogo, president of the Red Cross in the Central African Republic, as more victims succumb to their wounds.
Portuguese UN peacekeepers called to the scene of the atrocity dispersed the militia, with one officer describing the scene as horrifying. Júlia de Sousa, Portuguese superior-general of the Oblates of the Heart of Jesus, which has a mission close to the Muslim quarter of Bangui, described Fr Toungoumale-Baba as fearless.
“He was always in dialogue” with other communities, and “was full of hope and had already been through so many dangers”, she recalled. Despite this latest incident, she said the sisters in Bangui were staying. “If we leave, who will defend the innocent?” Sr Júlia asked.
Loading ...
