Central African Republic: prelate urges Christians not to take revenge on Muslims
December 16, 2013
In his December 15 Sunday Mass homily, Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui urged Christians not to take vengeance against Muslims in the strife-torn Central African Republic, Agence France-Presse reported.
“Many Christians have said that they are going to seek revenge,” he preached, following the murder of a Muslim whose body was mutilated. “We have become animals, the abuses go beyond reason when someone is killed and his arms brandished.”
Members of the Séléka rebel coalition assumed power in the nation in March and “embarked on months of looting, raping and killing,” in the words of a Reuters report. Islamist Séléka members, some of them foreigners, have been attacking Christian institutions, raising fears of genocide.
The new president, Michel Djotodia, says he cannot control his former allies. Militias loyal to ousted President François Bozizé, along with citizens defending themselves against Séléka, have been fighting back.
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Further information:
- Take inspiration from Mandela, archbishop tells C.Africans (AFP)
- Central African Republic: prelate distributes food as violence continues (CWN, 12/13)
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