Catholic World News News Feature

Comoros Island Separatists Seek Clues In Church Burning February 03, 1998

MUTSAMUDU, Anjouan (CWN) - Leaders of the breakaway republic of Anjouan in the Comoros islands on Monday said the are hunting for the arsonists who burned down the island's only Catholic church.

Anjouan is trying to secede from the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, which is overwhelmingly Muslim. The church was built by French colonials who granted the island chain independence in 1975. Anjouan declared its secession from the capital Grand Comore island in September in a move not recognized by any country.

The church was burned last Wednesday despite efforts by local residents and firefighters to save the building. Secessionist leaders said they suspected that "agents" from Grand Comore -- who oppose Anjouan's self-declared independence -- were responsible for the fire. "The enemies of our state are the ones who are behind this criminal action, whose aim is to create a breach to the actual peaceful situation," a rebel leader said.