Central African Republic: diocese investigates chapel desecration, anti-Christian violence
September 02, 2013
Representatives of a diocese in the Central African Republic have investigated recent violence against Christians in Bohong, a rural town in the western part of the nation, according to a report from the Fides news agency.
Members of Seleka, the Islamist rebel movement that seized power in the nation in March, had desecrated a chapel, looted a rectory and convent, and burned down huts used for religious instruction.
The investigators counted 206 villagers who had fled.
“No thatched house was spared belonging to the non-Muslim inhabitants,” according to the diocese’s report. At Bohong’s parish, “the tabernacle and the altar were in good condition, without any damage. But in the sacristy all objects of worship and liturgical books were thrown on the ground.”
Referring to the Sisters of Charity, the report added that “the chapel of the nuns had instead been desecrated, the tabernacle broken open, the consecrated hosts thrown to the ground.”
Local Catholics are guarding the church and chapel to prevent additional attacks.
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Further information:
- More witnesses on the fury against Christians (Fides)
- Church desecrated in Central African Republic (CWN, 8/23)
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