The Burkinabe priest Jean Boniface Somda, director for years of Catholic education in a large part of his country, has intervened in the program "The Catholic Church in Burkina Faso". In the footsteps of hopeof HM Televisionin which he denounces "the cruel reality that many families face in order to live their daily lives and their Catholic faith because of jihadist pressure and attacks".
In the interview, Jean Boniface takes viewers into this pressure imposed on families, "because of the hatred of Christ that surrounds them. They suffer at the hands of jihadist groups who want to put the country in the hands of Islam." "Terrorism is a form of persecution," he notes.
"Children and young people are the first victims of the pressure that surrounds them, because of the danger of being recruited as 'collaborators' through false jobs and offers that finally turn them into slaves of a voracious terrorism. The situation of these children really brings tears to our eyes," says Jean Boniface, who is currently in his second year at Canon Law at the University of Navarra (Spain), and is a great connoisseur of young Burkinabe.
Temples are full, despite the danger
But "the hope that a God who is Love awaits them with open arms to wipe away their tears and be their complete joy in Heaven, moves them to continue to fill their temples, despite the danger. We prefer to die in the hands of God", adds the Burkinabe priest.
Destroying the country
In 2015 took place "the arrival of terrorism. They call themselves Muslim Support Groups. The name is a form of jihadism, as a way to impose Islam. Over time we have seen that they seek to impose or divide the country. To put conflict between Christians and Muslims," explains Fr. Jean Boniface. "To put these two strong groups (Christians and Muslims) in conflict is to destroy the country," he says.
The priest said in the interview that when the jihadists came to a place, they directed everyone to the mosque, and in the churches they also shot women, men and children. It is a very serious thing. Basically, what they were looking for was a conflict between Christians and Muslims.
Muslims are also killed
"And when they have not succeeded in this conflict, they have also started killing Muslims, and there are many Muslims who have fled their villages," he reveals.
"By killing priests, catechists and leaders of Christian communities, what they seek is to stir up revolt among Christians, so that they rise up against the Muslims, and thus destroy the country."
Although there are also animists, the priest is categorical: "In Burkina Faso, a war between Christians and Muslims is the total destruction of the country".
Help
For help Jean Boniface explains that they now have a special need for school and agricultural equipment, especially tractors. At the end of the video have the account to send donations, in the name of Conference Episcopal du Burkina Niger (C.E.B.N.) here have more videos from HM Television.
