Holy See, prelates lament attacks on African Christians

May 01, 2012

The director of the Holy See Press Office joined that Vatican Secretary of State and other prelates in condemning terrorist attacks on Christians in Nigeria and Kenya. Father Federico Lombardi called the attacks “horrific” and “despicable.”

“We are living in increasing intolerance, an intolerance of Christians that is sometimes cruel, and we are worried, because Christians on the frontiers of the world, in the trenches of the world, as has been noted in African countries and also in the Middle East, are a factor of balance, of reconciliation and of unity and not of conflict,” added Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

“It therefore seems strange that there should be a struggle of intolerance and such strong aggression against Christians who make a contribution to reconciliation and peace, to justice and to solidarity.”

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, said that “religious persecution is unfortunately nothing new … African Christians, however, are reacting to the persecutions with strength and with no desire for revenge.”

 

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Further information:

• Christians still under attack in Africa (Vatican Radio)
• Holy See condemns church attacks in Africa (Vatican Radio)
• Nigeria: 16 dead following gunfire, bomb attack on Mass (CWN, 4/30)
• Terror bombing at Nairobi church (CWN, 4/30)