AFRICA/NIGER - Anti-Christian Violence: Bishops suspend all activities of the Church

Niamey (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Niger have suspended "until further notice" all the activities of the Catholic Church (schools, health centers, charitable activities), "following the looting of churches and infrastructure of our institutions, and the desecration of our places of worship". This is what is said in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides after various churches and religious communities of Niger suffered extensive damage because of demonstrators protesting against the publication of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo (see Fides 21/01/2015).
"The measure - continues the note - will allow us to pray and to read, in serenity, the painful events that we have suffered". "They thank very warmly all those who have expressed their solidarity in these difficult times" the Bishops conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/01/2015)