Pray for Bukina Faso - Christian Persecution

NEW ATTACK IN BURKINA FASO—CHRISTIANS IN HIDING, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES CLOSED

May 15, 2019 by Lindy Lowry in Africa, Stories of Persecution

A day after militants ambushed a church and killed six, another attack in northern Burkina Faso targeting Christians has left four dead, including a church leader. These attacks on the church in the West African country, as well as others in the last few weeks, have invoked a state of panic among Christian communities in the region.

The country’s churches have seen a string of violence in less than three weeks. This most recent attack happened on Monday, May 13, during a public religious procession when armed men ambushed the parade. Reportedly, the attackers let the children go before killing four adults and destroying the statue of Mary the victims were carrying. 

Also on Monday, suspected militants shot a Catholic priest in Dolbel in neighboring western Niger, one of the countries bordering Burkina Faso. He survived the attack with gunshot wounds to one hand and a leg.

Just a day earlier, 20 to 30 armed men ambushed a church service in the same region in the village of Dablo and opened fire on worshippers. Six people were killed in the attack in Burkina Faso, among them the church’s 34-year-old leader. Before they left, the attackers burned down the church, various shops and a health center.

And two weeks ago, armed men stormed a Protestant church after a worship service in Silgadji village in the country’s northeastern province of Soum. They executed six worshippers, including the church’s 80-year-old pastor, 

A STATE OF PANIC IN NORTHERN BURKINA FASO

Fearful of more attacks, Christians in northern Burkina Faso are beginning to flee the conflict area for safer towns in the country’s southern area.

Those who remain are living in what is rapidly feeling more and more like a ghost town. 

Churches and schools are now closed. And Christians are in hiding, said a local church leader who asked to be unnamed for security reasons. He told Open Doors: “No one dares to sleep in his house because of fear of being killed. It’s very hard for us. We need your prayers.”

For more info: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/new-attack-in-burkina-faso-christians-in-hiding-schools-and-churches-closed/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Open%20Doors%20USA