Pope visits mosque, calls for rejection of religious violence

November 30, 2015

On the final day of his apostolic journey to Africa, Pope Francis visited the Grand Mosque of Koudoukou in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.

When confused reports that Christians had been killed that day in the neighborhood near the mosque reached the Pope's ears, he immediately said that he wanted to visit the survivors, brushing off suggestions that he should not travel to the area because it was unsafe.

Over the past three years, the nation has witnessed attacks on Christian institutions by Islamist Séléka militias and the destruction of mosques by anti-Balaka militias. The nation’s bishops have denounced violence on all sides.

“Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in his November 30 address. “We must therefore consider ourselves and conduct ourselves as such.”

“We are well aware that the recent events and acts of violence which have shaken your country were not grounded in properly religious motives,” he continued. “Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace.”

The Pope added:

Christians, Muslims and members of the traditional religions have lived together in peace for many years. They ought, therefore, to remain united in working for an end to every act which, from whatever side, disfigures the Face of God and whose ultimate aim is to defend particular interests by any and all means, to the detriment of the common good. Together, we must say no to hatred, no to revenge and no to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself. God is peace, God salam.

 

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Further information:

• Incontro con la Comunità Musulmana presso la Moschea centrale di Koudoukou a Bangui, 30.11.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• 'Can I go' to them? Pope Francis' stunning response to alleged murders (CNA)