The Voice of the suffering in Africa

“Despite our joy at the moment, however, we must also remember that there are many other men and women who remain in custody or are persecuted for their beliefs around the world, but particularly in Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso."

“They took them back to their village, ordered the church to be opened, and shot one dead in front of the altar, and the other in front of the statue of Mary,”

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."