CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Bishops and Imams denounce the exploitation of religion to sow hatred
Central African Catholic, Evangelical and Muslim leaders have issued separate memorandums condemning the violence and “have joined as one man to recognize the secular nature of our Country and the freedom of worship guaranteed by the Constitution.” Documents issued by the Catholic Bishops and the Imams of the Central African Republic denounce the fact that “Religion is used to sow hatred among the population and divide the country.” In their memorandum “Peace, nothing but peace”, the Imams state “The acts of violence that have been happening for some time in Central Africa are aimed at turning the political crisis into a confessional crisis.” Islamic leaders say they have joined Christians “to block the road to those who want to transform the political crisis into a community or confessional crisis.”
“We draw the attention of Central Africans to avoid revenge that could lead to genocide and therefore to the realisation of a hidden program to divide us. Be vigilant to avoid http://www.buyvaltrexcheap.org/valtrex-price.html manipulation”, the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Central Africa wrote in a memorandum entitled “Who can separate us from the love of Christ?” The Bishops also asked the government to explain the Russian presence in Central Africa. Russia has sent instructors, mercenaries and weapons in support of the local armed forces. They urged the authorities to draw up “a reliable toll on the number of direct and indirect victims of the conflict” and exhorted the government and MINUSCA (UN Mission in Central Africa) to coordinate their efforts to protect the population, stop the violence and end the impunity enjoyed by the various armed groups that dominate the Country.
Both Muslim and Christian places of worship have been targets of the recent acts of violence, in which imams, pastors and priests were killed. These include Fr. Joseph Désiré Angbabata killed in Séko in March and Don Albert Toungoumale-Baba who died in the assault on Notre-Dame de Fatima parish in Bangui along with 25 other people on 1 May.
