Christianity is a minority religion in Burkina Faso. According to the 2019 census, 20.1% of the population were Roman Catholic, while 6.2% were Protestant; however, the exact percentages might be hard to accurately predict due to a high degree of syncretism that occurs in the country between Christians or Muslims and traditional indigenous beliefs.[1]
Representation in government
editAlthough Christians are a minority of the overall population, they are overrepresented in civil government. Presidents and heads of state of Burkina Faso who were Christians include Thomas Sankara,[2] Saye Zerbo,[3] Blaise Compaoré,[4] Paul Kaba Thieba,[5] and Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.[6]
Present situation
editAlthough interfaith relations between Muslims and Christians in Burkina Faso have historically been good, since 2015 there have been increasing attacks on Christians by Salafi jihadist in Burkina Faso, which have escalated rapidly since 2017.[7][8] In April 2019 Islamist gunmen killed 5 Protestant worshipers and their pastor as they were leaving church after their service in the village of Silgadji near Mali.[9] In May 2019 4 Catholics were killed by Islamist during a Marian procession in Zimtenga Department.[10] In August 2019 4 Christians were executed by extremists in Bani Department for wearing crucifixes.[11] On 1 December 2019 at least 14 church goers were killed in an attack when suspected Islamist gunmen opened fire on the church during services.[12] On 17 February 2020 a group of gunmen attacked a Protestant church were service was being held in the village of Pansi, killing 24.[13]
In an interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Fr Pierre Rouamba claimed that in 2022 Burkina Faso was the country with the most anti-Christian attacks in the world. In the same interview, given in August 2023, he claimed that "for the Christians we accompany, the time perspective does not go beyond the next 24 hours. We do not know if we will survive beyond the next day."[14]
In 2023, Burkina Faso was ranked as the 23rd worse country to be a Christian.[15] It also scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[16] In January, shortly after the murder of a Catholic priest at the hands of insurgents, the bishop of Dori, Laurent Dabiré, claimed that 50% of the country was under the effective control of jihadist insurgents.[17]
At least 15 Christians were killed in an attack on 25 February in Essakane, in the diocese of Dori.[18] According to bishop Justin Kientega of Ouahigouya: “There were 47 people in the Chapel for Sunday morning celebration of the Word, led by their catechist. There were 17 men and the rest were women and children. The terrorists came and killed 12 – 9 people were killed at the chapel and 3 others died from their injuries – all males, but there were also two children among the dead, a four-year-old and a 14-year-old.”[19] In April of the same year Edouard Yougbare, a catechist from the parish of Saatenga in Fada Gourma, was abducted by terrorists and murdered.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ Harsch, Ernest (1 November 2014). Thomas Sankara: An African Revolutionary. Ohio University Press. p. 27. ISBN 9780821445075.
- ^ Saye Zerbo, président of the republic from 1980 to 1982 (article in French) "At once stopped, Saye Zerbo is thrown in prison. After his imprisonment, the deposed president contemplated and read the Qu'ran through whole nights. He also asked for the Bible that the archbishop of Ouagadougou, the cardinal Paul Zoungrana, had offered to him at the time of the first Christmas following his takeover. At this point in time he had the revelation which changed his life. In a mystical dash, Saye Zerbo was brought to his knees, returned thanks to God and converted to Christianity. His entire family did the same thing thereafter."
- ^ "Famille Chrétienne". Famillechretienne.fr. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ^ "Covert 'Arabization' Threatens Moderate Islam in Africa". National Review. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ Roger, Benjamin (9 December 2015). "Burkina: qui est Sika Bella Kaboré, la nouvelle première dame du Faso?". Jeune Afrique. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ "Islamist militants are targeting Christians in Burkina Faso: 'They are planting seeds of a religious conflict'". The Washington Post. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Salafi Jihadi Militants Target Christians In Burkina Faso". criticalthreats.org. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Pastor, 5 others killed in Burkina Faso church attack". Association Press. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ Smith, Samuel (14 May 2019). "4 killed during Catholic procession in Burkina Faso; third attack on Christians in 2 weeks". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ Smith, Samuel (24 August 2019). "4 Christians killed by jihadis in Burkina Faso for wearing crucifixes: report". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "At least 14 killed in attack on Burkina Faso church". Reuters. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- ^ Mednick, Sam; Kabore, Arsene (17 February 2020). "Gunmen Kill 24 in Attack Near Church in Burkina Faso". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ ACN (22 August 2023). "Burkina Faso. "The Christians we accompany do not know if they will survive beyond 24 hours"". ACN International. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Open Doors website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ Freedom House website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ ACN (10 January 2023). "Terrorism increases in Burkina Faso". ACN International. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ ACN (26 February 2024). "A dark weekend of Christian persecution". ACN International. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ ACN (1 March 2024). "Burkina Faso: Living with terror in the "land of people of integrity"". ACN International. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ ACN (22 April 2024). "Breaking News: Catechist kidnapped and killed in Burkina Faso". ACN International. Retrieved 29 April 2024.