06/05/2019 Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) – Updates from World Watch Monitor reveal that a Catholic priest and nine other Christians were killed in horrific attacks in northern Burkina Faso on the 12th and 13th of May. These attacks are a part of a series of assaults on churches in the region over the last three months, raising major safety concerns for Christians of all denominations.
On Sunday, the 12th of May, Father Simeon Yampa was overseeing mass in his church when 30 armed men stormed the building located in the Dablo region. The militants opened fire on the congregation, killing five, including Father Yampa. Funerals for all the victims were held the next day and were well attended by protestants, Muslims, and traditional religionists. Magister Séraphin François Rouamba, Archbishop of Koupéla and President of the Bishop’s Conference Burkina Faso-Niger, made an appeal for peace and coexistence during the funerals.
Meanwhile, on the day of the funeral, in the municipality of Zimentenga, another group of Christians was attacked while returning a statue of Mary to their church in the Singa community after participating in a Marian procession. The suspected militants allowed minors to escape but killed four adults.
Due to this series of violent incidents, Christians in the region have been living in a state of fear and uncertainty. Many have refused to attend church out of fear that more attacks may occur.
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