Cardinal Nzapalainga on Muslim-Christian Relations in CAR: “We no longer see each other as enemies”

“Perspectives have changed,” Cardinal Nzapalainga said, and added, “We no longer see each other as enemies. We see each other as brothers. Muslims and Christians mix. Christians go to Muslim neighborhoods and vice versa. Areas that were once no man's land or isolated are now places people can visit freely.” 

The Cardinal called the relationship between Christians and Muslims in CAR today “the victory of fraternity over hatred, or even over repression and fear.”

He noted that the transformation in Bangui is particularly striking, saying, “You can arrive in Bangui and go to a neighborhood that was mostly Muslim. People are no longer tense, they are not full of hate, and they don't have a desire for revenge. We are moving forward.”

The Cardinal said the ongoing healing process is thanks to the perseverance of religious and community leaders. 

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR). Credit: ACI Africa

“It was hard, but healing is ongoing, thanks to the presence of leaders and other responsible figures, little by little. So I can say we’ve taken many steps,” he said.

Reflecting on the role of religious leaders in shaping society, Cardinal Nzapalainga underscored the need for Church leaders to act as moral sentinels. 

“We, as leaders, must be watchmen. Sentinels. Signs of the times, recognizing what is positive,” he said, and added, “Our role is also to build bridges between peoples, between cultures, and among all those who have been divided. To bring them together. To unite them.”

Asked about the role of political leaders on social cohesion, the Cardinal said, “Politicians have a calendar that isn’t necessarily the same as ours. I won't speak for them. I speak for religious leaders, because I base myself on the Bible.”

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR). Credit: ACI Africa

Still, he extended an invitation to political figures, many of whom he said are members of the Church, to embrace essential values of social cohesion, acceptance, and tolerance.

He expressed the concern of religious leaders about President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s bid for a third term in office, warning that such political maneuvers risk undermining peace and stability in the country.

“When the issue of a third term came up in our country, religious leaders including Muslims, Protestants, and Catholics were concerned. We saw that it created tension,” Cardinal Nzapalainga told ACI Africa, and added, “We went around to the embassies, to civil society, to political parties, youth groups, women’s groups, and others. After three months, we wrote what we called a memorandum.”

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga and Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla. Credit: ACI Africa

The member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans/CSSp.) said that the concussion of religious leaders in the country was  that “for social de-escalation, the Constitution should not be changed, and a third mandate should not be pursued.”

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He continued, “We played our role as watchmen. As sentinels. We said it. We submitted it. But the political timeline was different. We now observe what has been announced.”

Cardinal Nzapalainga emphasized that true peace must be rooted in Christ.

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR). Credit: ACI Africa

“The question of peace is a crucial one, not only in our country but across the world. If Jesus took the time, after his resurrection, to say to his disciples, ‘Peace be with you,’ it is because that peace came after a great trial—his death and resurrection,” he explained.

On July 26, President Touadera announced he will seek a third term in office, attracting criticism, Reuters reported.

Cardinal Nzapalainga also shared his reflections on visiting Rwanda’s genocide memorial during the Bishops’ pilgrimage in Kigali. The visit, he said, was both “painful and inspiring.”

“Visiting the memorial, one cannot leave unaffected. Human beings were capable of the worst in this country, and elsewhere. But human beings have also been capable of rising again,” Cardinal Nzapalinga said.

He praised the resilience of the Rwandan people and pointed to their recovery as a sign of hope.

Credit: ACI Africa

“I think it’s important to continue to hope, despite everything we may see, because a new dawn is appearing on the horizon,” he said.

For Cardinal Nzapalainga, the witness of Rwanda speaks to the mission of Christians in Africa and beyond. 

“We, Christians, are pilgrims of hope. Pope Francis told us that we must not give up, we must not avert our eyes, nor keep looking backward. Life, peace, and reconciliation are ahead of us. With Christ, let us move forward together,” he said in reference to the theme of the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”.