The Voice of the suffering in Africa

As of November 13th, the total number of priests, sisters, and seminarians kidnapped in 2023 is 23, showing that abductions continue to be the biggest threat to the safety of clergy and religious people in the country.

“As Catholics, we are there for all Mauritanians. Through our activities and the way we live together, we want to show that God loves all people.”

Historically, African migrants have gone to Libya for better economic prospect. Cameroon is on a major route to that country. But after Khaddafi's fall, Libya's appeal disappeared, and now, migrants go to Europe instead, even though many die on the journey. At home, they have nothing to lose. Bishop Ateba told ACN that to curb migration, jobs must be created in Africa.

"In my country, people do not exist as individuals; they exist as part of a group. That is why a more individualized approach to religion generally doesn’t go well, especially when it is a Muslim converting to Christianity."

A terrorist group that claims allegiance to ISIS arrived in Naquitengue in the early afternoon and summoned everyone in the village. They then separated the Christians from the Muslims, based on names and ethnicity.

Bishop Kundi said: "The attackers were aiming to kidnap the parish priest. When they failed in their attempt to enter the father's house, they set it on fire. The two priests were able to escape but, terribly, the seminarian was burned inside."