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Holy See, Burkina Faso Agreement to “enable Church, State to collaborate better”: Bishop

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher (right), Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and Mr. Robert Compaore (left), Ambassador of Burkina Faso to the Holy See during the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Burkina Faso on the legal status of the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso.

A Bishop in Burkina Faso has, in an interview with ACI Africa, welcomed the Framework Agreement between the Holy See and the West African nation, saying the initiative “will enable Church and State to collaborate better.”

“Today, 7 September 2020, by means of official communication from the Embassy of Burkina Faso to the Holy See, the procedure for the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Burkina Faso on the legal status of the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso, signed in the Vatican on 12 July 2019, was finalized,” the Holy See Press Office announced.

In an interview with ACI Africa Monday, September 7, the President of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger (CEBN), Bishop Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré of Dori Diocese who was present at the signing ceremony highlighted the importance of such an agreement to both parties.

“The Agreement that comes into force today will enable the Church and State to collaborate better and be more effective in seeking the good of the people in general and of the Catholic faithful in particular,” Bishop Dabiré told ACI Africa.

He added, “From today the Agreement is official and can be invoked as a legal basis for any useful purpose by Dioceses, Congregations, Seminaries and any Structure of the Church with juridical personality in canon law.”

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According to the Holy See’s Press Office, “This Agreement, which entered into force today in accordance with Article 18 therein, guarantees the Church the possibility to carry out her mission in Burkina Faso. In particular, the public legal personality of the Church and her institutions is recognized.”

“The two Parties, while safeguarding their own independence and autonomy, undertake to work together for the moral, spiritual, and material well-being of the human person and for the promotion of the common good,” the Holy See officials stated.

In the Monday interview, Bishop Dabiré who expressed gratitude to “the Holy Father for his concern for our Local Church (and commended) the Burkinabe authorities who have welcomed and committed themselves to this project” also explained the importance of such an agreement to both parties. 

“This Framework Agreement, first of all, gives greater visibility in the collaboration between the Church and State,” the 54-year-old Prelate said, explaining that the agreement “clearly maps out the path between the contracting parties” and that it is expected to “enable the Church to act legally, be recognized and protected.”

Bishop Dabiré further said, “Cooperation can only move forward and evangelization will be much more sustained and re-launched.”

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“The juridical situation of the Catholic Church is now clarified and established,” the Burkinabe Bishop said and added, “Having this juridical status allows the Church to carry out acts of public life without hindrance.” 

Following the development, the Apostolic Nuncio in Burkina Faso-Niger, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty has, in a press release shared with ACI Africa Monday, September 7, expressed his hope for “a respectful and fruitful cooperation between the Holy See and Burkina Faso.”