AFRICA/NIGER - Anti-Christian violence: the Bishops reaffirm their friendship with the Muslim community

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Niamey (Agenzia Fides) - "We want to renew our friendship and brotherhood to the entire Muslim community in our Country", write the Bishops of Niger in a message to the Muslim community, sent to Agenzia Fides, after the anti-Christian violence that have heavily affected the Church in recent days (see Fides 21 and 22 January 2015). The Bishops thank all Muslims "for the gestures and acts of solidarity" shown during the attacks against the Christian community.

"We are united in the pain that you share with us. Our places of worship, and most of our infrastructure have been destroyed but our faith is intact", write the Bishops. "We will build again what our common enemies have deliberately aimed to destroy".

The Catholic Church in Niger has suspended all its activities until further notice (see Fides 22/01/2015): "The activities of the Catholic Church, which have no other purpose than to serve the people, will resume gradually, where it is possible, depending on each individual situation", state the Bishops. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/01/2015)

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