Aboard the papal plane, 10 August, 2023 / 9:25 pm (ACI Africa).
Archbishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo of Niamey Archdiocese in Niger has called for a triduum of prayer and a day of fasting for Niger following the July 27 announcement of a coup in the West African country.
In a Thursday, August 10 statement, Archbishop Lompo said, “For the past few days, our beloved country Niger has been experiencing a difficult situation that is plunging the population into anxiety and fear, in view of the sanctions and threats of attack by sub-regional institutions that are hanging over them.”
“We, the Bishops of Niger, are closely following these events and express our deep concern. We take this opportunity to reaffirm the Church's commitment to peace and justice,” he said, and added, “We hereby request the organization of a triduum of prayer in all the parishes of our two dioceses (Maradi and Niamey), on August 13, 14 and 15, 2023.”
Friday August 18 has been declared a day of fasting in the dioceses, the 56-year-old Archbishop said, and explained, “This is to ask the Lord to save our beloved country from war and chaos.”
He directed that the faithful in each parish of the dioceses to gather to recite the rosary and then celebrate the Eucharist.
