Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kantchari (Agenzia Fides) - The two Redemptorist missionaries, Father Maxime and Father Clément, live and work in the Burkinabe town of Kantchari, on the border with Niger, which has been hit by terrorist attacks that have led to devastation and famine.
"We arrived in Kantchari on October 5, 2023 and found an almost deserted town. The population consisted mainly of internally displaced people and locals who could not leave the town. There was neither food nor medicine," reports Father Clément Kourossangama, parish priest. "The few products that some crooks managed to smuggle into town were extremely expensive and unaffordable for most. As if all that wasn't enough, we were surrounded by cannons and those who ventured out of the city were killed."
“The people were waiting for us, the return of the fathers was a great sign of hope,” the Redemptorist continued. Despite the shooting, the faithful attended mass when we arrived and that gave us a lot of encouragement too. They showed great faith, joy, resilience and courage. We didn't have enough guests, and the little money we collected we used to provide people with basic necessities. Yet, under cannon fire and in the midst of a starving population, we continued to proclaim Christ as best we could."
"Despite the renewed attacks, we insisted on celebrating Mass and the faithful attended until the situation got out of control," reports the missionary. "When the military intervened, the terrorists had already killed several civilians and taken away livestock, barns and everything else.
In these moments of great panic, while the celebrant hurried to finish the mass and send the assembly away as quickly as possible, we noticed that the population was heading straight for the parish to seek refuge. The intervention of the army stopped the attack, but the hearts of the people were devastated and there were corpses in the arms of some families. What should you say to the parishioners during Sunday mass?
“During this time, the entire population encouraged each other,” continued Father Clement. “Around Christmas the cannon fire eased somewhat and it was hoped that a convoy with food would arrive. The hoped-for convoy finally arrived about ten kilometers from the entrance to Kantchari, but the renewed attacks resulted in enormous loss of life.”
"Unfortunately," said the missionary, "the violent attacks resumed at the end of March, albeit to a lesser extent. Nevertheless, there remains hope for a better future, especially because a lot is being done on the security front.
In the parish we continue to celebrate, pray, sing and dance. Those who have passed through Kantchari know that this people likes to sing and dance... until the kyrie", underlines Father Clement. “But it is not always easy to preach when you are faced with people who have often fasted for days. Whatever happens, we hope for a better tomorrow and that is what keeps us moving forward with the community members and the entire population.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 13/5/2024)
