Keeping the Faith

Like many countries in West African, Burkina Faso is currently suffering from a terrorism campaign launched by violent Islamists. The situation has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Burkina Faso’s Catholics are staying true to the Faith.

By ACN Staff

Bishop Laurent B. Dabire. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Burkina Faso has been suffering from a prolonged Islamist terrorism campaign. Despite this, the faithful in Burkina Faso have remained strong in the Catholic Faith. Aid to the Church in Need’s Maria Lozano spoke with Bishop Laurent B. Dabire, of the diocese of Dori, which is located in the north of Burkina Faso.

Bishop Dabire explained the current security situation in the West African country. Thankfully it has improved somewhat in recent months, although terrorism still persists. There had been a ceasefire between April and September 2020. Since September 2020, there have been ten recorded terrorist attacks in the Diocese of Dori. This is slightly down on what it had been. The bishop explained the situation in the country is grave. One the one hand there is the security situation involving the Islamists terrorist. On the other hand there is the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bishop Dabire:

“Fortunately, the incidence of the coronavirus has remained generally lower in Africa, although the increase in cases is worrying. The direct consequence of both these factors is a humanitarian crisis, both for those who have been uprooted and for those communities which have welcomed them. Despite the resilience of the population, the situation is very hard for the ordinary people, who live from hand to mouth and have lost their normal means of subsistence.”

Holy Mass on Christmas Day. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The bishop also explained that security is still an issue but it has gotten better:

“The people continue to be forced to leave their villages, either as a result of the attacks or because of the threats to massacre them unless they do so. Nonetheless, these attacks have diminished in number and are causing fewer deaths. So it could be said that the security situation has improved, although it is still impossible to travel in certain areas, which remain dangerous owing to the presence or operations of the terrorist groups.”

The security situation and pandemic have impacted pastoral activities. Two parishes are cut off and have no pastoral activities at the present. Christians have been leaving these areas due to the security threat. Other parishes have both reduced access and pastoral activity, but in other parishes activities are still taking place close to regular levels.

The bishop speaks of the faithfulness of the people in his diocese:

“Not once since 2015 have we heard of any case of desertion, abandonment or apostasy. The faithful are fleeing the terrorism, which they are powerless to resist, but they are keeping their faith. Even when the terrorists have threatened people, trying to force them to convert, they have not succeeded. The people have simply fled, bringing their faith with them.”

If you would like to help the Church to minister to the faithful in countries like Burkina Faso please consider donating to Aid to the Church in Need and please keep the Suffering and Persecuted Church in your prayers.