‘Noose tightens’ around Church in Burundi

May 04, 2016

“Day by day the noose tightens” around the Church in Burundi as government intimidation of bishops, priests, and lay leaders increases, according to a report in La Croix.

The regime of Pierre Nkurunziza, in office since 2005, has fostered a climate of terror, disappearances, and torture, targeting Tutsis as well as suspected members of the opposition, according to the report.

The nation’s leading prelate-- Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura-- “narrowly escaped several assassination attempts,” a relative said.

The regime is monitoring priests’ homilies, and three priests in the nation’s capital are now ministering abroad following death threats.

 

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Further information:

• Menaces sur l’Eglise catholique au Burundi (La Croix)
• Sliding towards anarchy (The Economist)
• Burundi: politicians charge bishops support violence by opposing president's re-election bid (CWN, 4/22)