2014-11-05 14:16:00

Bishops of Burkina Faso issue a Pastoral Statement for peace and hope


At the end of their two-days extraordinary meeting on 3 and 4 November 2014, the Bishops of Burkina Faso have issued a Pastoral Statement on the state of the nation. The statement (in French) starts by quoting Mathew’s Gospel: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”  In the Pastoral Statement, the Bishops feel that it is essential and appropriate that they send a message of peace and hope to the people of Burkina Faso.

They start by reiterating their pastoral letter of 20 February 2010 in which they spoke then of the of the Church’s mission as one of service to reconciliation, justice and peace. The Bishops also draw attention to another of their pastoral letters of 15 July 2013 in which they had warned of pent-up frustration and anger among the youth of Burkina Faso.

Then the Bishops take a poignant quote from Pope Benedict XVI’s address to government and civic leaders as well as members of the diplomatic corps in Cotonou, Benin on his Apostolic visit. Addressing these officials, Pope Benedict XVI had told his audience (Cotonou, 19 November 2011): “From this place, I launch an appeal to all political and economic leaders of African countries and the rest of the world. Do not deprive your peoples of hope! Do not cut them off from their future by mutilating their present! Adopt a courageous ethical approach to your responsibilities and, if you are believers, ask God to grant you wisdom! This wisdom will help you to understand that, as promoters of your peoples’ future, you must become true servants of hope. It is not easy to live the life of a servant, to remain consistent amid the currents of opinion and powerful interests. Power, such as it is, easily blinds, above all when private, family, ethnic or religious interests are at stake. God alone purifies hearts and intentions.”

After the quote from Pope Benedict XVI, the Burkinabe Bishops go on to express their sympathy with bereaved families and implore God's mercy for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the popular uprising.

“While welcoming the initiative of citizens (popular uprising), we need above all to find legitimate national pride, work to eradicate evil and sin from our hearts and our structures. Human lives and property were broken, destroyed or looted. So we have to work towards healing hearts, showing compassion and bringing all the necessary care to those injured in their flesh and in their soul and also ensure the safety of persons and property. We call for real change, that is to say, the conversion of hearts.” The Bishops say in the Pastoral Statement.

The Bishops then call upon citizens to respect law enforcement and security agencies. More importantly, they appeal to the media. They invite the media to act in an ethical and responsible manner. The Bishops say that the onus is on the media to restore credible communication which is not only objective but one that is also non-partisan.

Lastly, they appeal to politicians, civil society, the military, paramilitary forces as well as various traditional and religious communities to work together for a better and new Burkina Faso.

The Pastoral Statement is signed by all the Bishops of Burkina Faso.

(Fr. Paul Samasumo)

e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va








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