Advertisement

Catholic Bishops in Togo Express Solidarity with Victims of Recent Terrorist Attacks

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET)/ Credit: Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET)

Catholic Bishops in Togo have, in a collective statement, expressed their spiritual closeness with victims of recent terrorist attacks in the country.

In their collective statement shared with ACI Africa Friday, July 22, members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET) call on the people of God to provide material support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

On June 14, Togo's government declared a "state of security emergency" in the Savannah region, which covers the country's most northern provinces, to give the armed forces more flexibility to deal with the threat of militant attacks, BBC News reported

The move followed the May 11 attack in a northern town near the border with Burkina Faso, in which eight Togolese were reportedly killed and more others wounded.

CET members say, “For some time now, our country, Togo, has been confronted with the phenomenon of terrorist attacks, with its accompanying civilian and military casualties.”

Advertisement

“The Episcopal Conference of Togo presents its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, prays for the repose of the souls of the victims, and for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Catholic Bishops in Togo say in the statement dated July 19.

They lament, “This alarming situation has plunged the population into disarray and forced them to flee their localities, towards other horizons.”

“The Episcopal Conference of Togo, deeply concerned by these dramatic events, expresses its closeness and support to the population of the Savannah region,” the Catholic Church leaders in Togo say.

They invite “all the sons and daughters of our dear country to a great solidarity” for the victims of these attacks.

In the statement signed by CET President, Bishop Benoît Alowonou, Catholic Bishops in Togo also appeal for nationwide prayers for the victims and for peace in the West African country.

More in Africa

They invite the people of God to say the “prayer for peace in Togo at each Eucharistic celebration to implore divine protection for our country, particularly for the Savannah region.”

The Catholic Bishops also recommend praying of the Holy “Rosary on Fridays at the hour of mercy (3pm) and the Stations of the Cross for this intention.”

CET members encourage the people of God to “mobilize financial means, food and non-food items, to support the displaced persons, through the Diocese of Dapaong.”

“Each diocese will be responsible for organizing these collections,” the Catholic Bishops in Togo  say.

They call on the Togolese to “redouble vigilance in places of worship and sensitize pastors and the faithful on how to behave in the event of a crisis.”

Advertisement

CET members implore the Lord “to inspire all, Government and citizens, to find the best strategies to combat the phenomenon of terrorist attacks.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.