Mali’s Bishops visit the wounded in the fighting

January 21, 2013 - As a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in war-torn Mali, the country’s Catholic bishops have visited the wounded in the hospitals of the capital Bamako, to offer moral and spiritual comfort. Fr. Edmond Dembele, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mali said the bishops had gathered in Bamako to discuss the socio-political situation of the country, especially the humanitarian emergency. "The bishops want to evaluate what the Church can further offer to the displaced persons and wounded, beyond what it is already doing," the priest told the Vatican’s Fides news agency. France has deployed 2,000 ground troops and its war planes have pounded Islamist al Qaeda-linked rebel columns and bases for 11 days, turning back their advance towards the capital which Paris said would have toppled Mali's government. Fr. Dembele said some 300,000 Malian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries , while a huge number is displaced in the south. The bishops were scheduled to release a message to the Catholic faithful and a final statement on the country’s situation.