Christians suffering looting and killings in Central African Republic

By John Newton

Churches and mission stations are being looted, destroyed and pillaged by militia soldiers directly under the Central African Republic’s new government.

Sources in the country told Aid to the Church in Need that a number of Christians have been killed or wounded in attacks by Islamist rebel group Séléka which seized control of the country in March.

Attacks include the pillaging of the Holy Ghost Fathers’ motherhouse by armed gunmen on the night of 25 March and the abduction of Fr Dieu-Béni Banga, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bangui, and Fr Francis Siki, the Cathedral rector, on Saturday 27 April.

A statement by Bishop Albert Vanbuel of Kaga Bandoro Diocese described the current situation in the country as “A rebellion by religious extremists with evil intentions, characterised by a deliberate programme of desecration and destruction of religious buildings, especially Christian ones.

“They are targeting Catholic and Protestant churches.”