But still, their living conditions are woefully inadequate, and as a result, seminarians often get sick. “A lack of water is the main reason people in our community get sick."

In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Patriarch said that reversing the decree was part of a political campaign to silence him, render him powerless and seize control of churches and other Chaldean buildings.

"Christians have no reason to play victim. They remain the most educated in Nigeria, the most successful in business. They have power that is not political, but it is power they can use well. Our success transcends the scope of our numbers. The issue is creating an effective strategy for exercising influence over the policies that affect us negatively."

“Some churches have been attacked by Rapid Support Forces, including the Coptic cathedral of Khartoum, which was occupied and turned into a command centre. The Coptic cathedral of Omdurman was also attacked and looted. Assailants took several cars and threatened the bishop and one of the priests, trying to convert them to Islam."

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we don’t want to waste it. It’s not every day that you get to participate in an event as important as WYD, and at ACN, we consider it a big responsibility.”

Ethnic groups share the same language, the same religion, and have similar customs. However, Burundi has a very painful history, littered with massacres, killings, social conflicts, and violence.