News

Burkina Faso: At least 15 Catholic worshippers killed in attack during a service

March 3, 2024

Christians make up about 30% of Burkina Faso’s population, yet also like the persecution of Christians in neighboring countries, their persecution is escalating.

For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Burkina Faso, see here.

“At least 15 Catholic worshippers killed in attack during a service in Burkina Faso,” by Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press, February 25, 2024:

ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 15 Catholic worshippers were killed in a Burkina Faso village on Sunday when gunmen attacked a community as they gathered for prayers in the country’s conflict-hit northern region, church officials said.

The violence in the village of Essakane was a “terrorist attack” that left 12 of the Catholic faithful dead at the scene, while three others died later as they were being treated for their wounds, according to a statement issued by Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, vicar-general of the Catholic Diocese of Dori, where the attack happened.

No further details were provided about the attack, which no group claimed responsibility for. But suspicion fell on jihadis who have frequently attacked remote communities and security forces, especially in the northern region….

About half of Burkina Faso is outside government control as jihadi groups have ravaged the country for years. Fighters have killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people, further threatening the stability of the country that had two coups in 2022….