Church in Cameroon prays for peace

(Vatican Radio) Catholics in Cameroon gathered on Saturday in churches across the country to pray for peace in the African nation, whose northern region is subject to the violence of Boko Haram.

The Islamist extremists, which for years have terrorized neighbouring Nigeria and have killed thousands of Christian civilians, are now committing violence across the border in Cameroon.

They recently made international headlines with the kidnapping of two Italian priests and a Canadian religious sister. The three were eventually released but the bishops of Cameroon say these violent events and others are clear signs that the situation is getting worse and there is an urgent need to work and to pray for peace.

Speaking in French, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala, president of Cameroon’s episcopal conference, told Vatican Radio there is a generalized fear and many people have fled from the north of Cameroon.  

The Muslim community is also destabilized by the terrorist activity, he said. It’s not just the Christians who are the targets of violence but everyone. Muslims and Catholics often speak and act together against the violence.

“As Christians faced by violence,” he said, “our desire is not to pick up arms but to present our petitions to God so that He who gave us peace can help us to be artisans of peace. Through prayer, we can attain all that we ask of God,” he continued. “We invite all those who would like to join us in prayer to do so.”

Archbishop Kleda said the bishops are urging the government to take its responsibility to protect the people and to manage society for the good of its citizens.

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