Burkina Faso: 15 persons killed in ferocious attack on Catholic Church.

According to the Church news service, Agenzia Fides, a small residual Catholic community gathered for a Sunday Prayer Service, under the direction of a Catechist were victim of a ferocious jihadist attack on Sunday, 25 February, in Essakane, a village 45 km from Dori, in the Sahel region of north-eastern Burkina Faso.

Vatican News.

The village of Essakane is located along the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Jihadist groups are known to hide in the area.

They were shooting at the men

According to Burkina Faso’s Bishop of Dori Diocese, Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré, militants attacked the few remaining faithful in the area. Many have fled the area.

“The attack took place around 08.30 am on Sunday 25 February. The jihadists broke into the small village church where a Sunday Prayer Service was taking place -under the direction of the Catechist.

In fact, since 2018, the majority of the community of believers have been forced to flee due to the violence of jihadist groups. Few people are left who, in the absence of a permanent priest, gather on Sundays for a Prayer Service led by a Catechist.”

Adds Bishop Dabiré, “The Jihadists shot at the men while sparing the women; 12 died while three died at the local health centre as a result of their injuries. Two others survived with serious injuries,” narrated the Bishop.

Pray for those who sow death

Later, in a statement, Fr Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, the Vicar General of Dori Diocese, asked for prayers in this dark moment facing the Diocese.

“In these painful circumstances, we ask you all to pray for the eternal rest of those who were killed in the faith; for the healing of the wounded and for the consolation of grieving hearts,” he said. He continued, “We pray for the conversion of those who continue to sow death in our country. May our efforts of penance and prayer in this blessed season of Lent bring peace and security for Burkina Faso.”

An attack on a Mosque in the eastern region

Also, on Sunday, 25 February, according to the AFP agency, dozens of Muslim faithful were killed in an attack on a Mosque in Natiaboani, in eastern Burkina Faso.

“Armed individuals attacked a Mosque in Natiaboani on Sunday around 05 am, leaving several dozen people dead,” a security source said. “The victims are all Muslims, mostly men who had gathered in the mosque” to pray, according to a witness on the scene.

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