Armed militias, extremist groups, and state oppression fuel a year of hardship for African Christians.
From Nigeria to Mozambique, and Congo to Burkina Faso, Christians in Africa faced unrelenting persecution in 2024. Targeted for their faith, they endured killings, abductions, church burnings, and violence against women and children at the hands of militias, armed gangs, and Islamist extremists.
Catholic bishops advocating for religious freedom, democracy, and human rights became prime targets. “The more churches take a prophetic stand, the more they face persecution,” noted Father Innocent Halerimana Maganya, a Congolese priest teaching at Tangaza University, Nairobi. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu defied a military order prohibiting him from celebrating Mass, labeling it a blatant violation of religious freedom. The clash escalated after soldiers abducted a young seminarian in November.
Nigeria: A Year of Record Insecurity In Nigeria, 2024 marked a grim period as armed gangs, known locally as “bandits,” intensified attacks on Christians. November saw three Catholic priests kidnapped and released, adding to an alarming record: between September 2022 and August 2023, 21 priests were abducted. Fulani herdsmen, labeled the fourth deadliest terror group globally, displaced Christian farmers, seized lands, and kidnapped civilians, further amplifying suffering.
“Christians face rejection and persecution from both extremists and the state,” lamented Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme of Maiduguri. Discrimination was evident when flood relief and compensation in Borno State bypassed many Christian communities.
Burkina Faso: Churches Under Siege In Burkina Faso, extremists linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaida have seized half the country. Attacks on churches escalated, with six of 15 Catholic dioceses heavily affected. Father Constantin Sere of Caritas Burkina Faso highlighted how poverty drives youth into extremist groups, compounding the crisis. The Aid to the Church in Need charity reported over 10,000 deaths and millions displaced since 2015.
Mozambique and Sudan: Worsening Crises In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, violence has displaced over a million and left Christian communities devastated. Bishop António Juliasse Ferreira Sandramo described holding Mass amidst ruins, symbolizing resilience amid terror.
Meanwhile, Sudan remains gripped by war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the displacement of clergy and the destruction of churches. In December, Bishop Yunan Tombe narrowly escaped execution, staying with his flock despite the turmoil.
A Call for Solidarity Across Africa, the church continues to provide refuge and hope. “The humanitarian crisis has surpassed tolerable levels,” Sudanese bishops declared, urging global solidarity. As faith communities persevere, their courage stands as a testament to resilience in the face of immense challenges.
Source : osvnews.com