Catholic Charity Concerned Christians in Some African Countries Practice Faith Underground

“On 22 August we should remember not only those who lost their lives, but also all those who are victims of discrimination and who suffer the immediate consequences of violence, as well as the displaced, those who are left traumatized and all those who are kidnapped, including some whose whereabouts remain unknown,” he is quoted as saying. 

Highlighting a number of attacks on religious grounds in Africa and beyond, Mr. Heine-Geldern says, “Besides two priests in Burkina Faso and two in Nigeria, more than 10 priests remain missing in China, some of whom have been gone for months, others, years. Let us not forget them.”

“ACN insists on the vital importance of inter-religious dialogue to counter religious fundamentalism, and calls on religious leaders, politicians, and media to play a crucial role in building up communities centered on peace and justice. International organizations and institutions are also asked to commit to guarantee the right to religious freedom,” he says.

In the August 15 ACN report, the pontifical charity foundation decries the lack of international response to the myriad Islamic terrorist cells in Africa, even as the world prepares to commemorate the International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion.

The charity foundation notes that the rapid growth of militant jihadist groups in the Sahel region, and neighboring countries, is one of the most serious issues that the world faces.

“Amid international concerns regarding the myriad of geopolitical conflicts in other places, climate change, and environmental catastrophes, ACN regrets that the victims of religiously motivated violence in Africa are too often forgotten,” the charity foundation has reported.

ACN has also drawn attention to the threat to religious freedom in the Sahel region, noting that the situation has severe consequences, not just for the members of the threatened religious groups, but for the growth and development of whole nations.

The foundation provides the example of Burkina Faso, where it says that for decades the Catholic Church has had a tremendous impact on civil society through its important work in the fields of social development, education, and health.

At the moment, however, the Church is currently unable to conduct any social, educational, humanitarian, or pastoral work outside of the capital, ACN reports, adding, “Around 80 percent of the country is inaccessible due to the presence of jihadist groups.”

The charity foundation has also raised alarm over what it refers to as “a spiral of violence” in Nigeria, noting that the country with the largest population in Africa is experiencing an unprecedented scale of religious based violence.

ACN warns that the situation in Nigeria could get worse unless the international community unites to address and seek solutions to the issues.

Highlighting recent cases of violence in various parts of the West Africa country, the Pontifical and charity foundation says, “In June over 40 innocent people were massacred in a Catholic Church and at least 18 priests were kidnapped in 2022, four of whom were murdered. May saw the killing of Deborah, a university student in Sokoto who was stoned and set on fire by her colleagues for allegedly having sent offensive messages about Mohammed. Recently terrorists launched several attacks in Abuja, the capital.”

“It must be stated that the violence is often caused by struggles over resources, or ethnic rivalries, nonetheless, the religious motivation of the attacks by extremist groups is clearly an ever-increasing factor,” ACN reports.

The foundation has also expressed concern over the millions of displaced people and refugees, noting that many of the victims of violence provoked by religious extremists have had to flee their ancestral homes.

ACN has estimated that more than 15 million people are currently displaced in the 12 African countries identified in the foundation’s 2021 Religious Freedom in the World Report as being subjected to severe religious persecution.

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There is also a “disturbing rise in the use of sexual violence” against minority religious groups, including kidnapping and forced marriages and conversions in countries such as Pakistan and Egypt, ACN says in the August 15 report, noting that the situation represents “a serious and growing problem that the world must not ignore”.

According to the foundation, the great majority of the victims of sexual violence are underage women.

In the August 15 report, Mr. Heine-Geldern has underscored the need to build communities centered on peace and justice.

“ACN insists on the vital importance of inter-religious dialogue to counter religious fundamentalism, and calls on religious leaders, politicians, and media to play a crucial role in building up communities centered on peace and justice,” the ACN Executive President says.

He adds, “International organizations and institutions are also asked to commit to guarantee the right to religious freedom.”