The village of Sol Khan in Burkina Faso was recently attacked by jihadists, killing at least 160 people. Pope Francis expressed his care for the people of Burkina Faso in the Three Bells Prayer and called for peace in Africa.
(Vatican News Network)The village of Solhan in northeastern Burkina Faso was attacked by jihadists late at night on June 4, killing at least 160 people, including 20 children. This is the most serious incident since the violence began in 2015.
To commemorate the victims of the attacks, Pope Francis led the faithful to recite the Three Bells in the Vatican on June 6. He prayed for the victims and said to “the families of the victims and Burkina Fa that suffered from these repeated attacks. “Suo all the people” expressed his care. The Burkina Faso authorities announced three days of national mourning. In addition, the Bishops’ Conference of the country invites the parishes to pray for the victims at the end of the Mass of the Eucharist and the Holy Blood.
A witness who fled to the neighbouring parish of Seba witnessed the attack. Laurent Dabiré, the chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger, and the bishop of Dori, relayed the survivor’s testimony to the French-language program department of Vatican News. Bishop Dabire said, “At dawn, around 6 am, a group of militants broke into the village. They first shot into the air and then went from house to house. People were still sleeping at that time.” The bishop went on to explain that “these people experienced a veritable killing”, after which the attackers set fire to markets, homes, shops, cars and trucks, as well as all other vehicles parked outside.
Bishop Dabire commented, “This massacre is shocking” and there is a “feeling of powerlessness”. The bishop asked, “We are willing to do something, but what do we do? We are facing a hidden, unknown and heavily armed enemy.” In addition, there is a risk of retaliation. From this perspective, the Pope’s speech in the Three Bells is comforting.
The bishop of Dori Dabilé finally reiterated, “We must not lose confidence in our lives. We must maintain our faith in hope, unite as one to face the violence that has happened to us, and find all solutions, including dialogue. I am convinced. This is the only way to get rid of violence one day.”