“Let us dream of a new Burkina Faso in which the future of young people, their anxieties and aspirations are taken into account,” the the Burkinabe Cardinal says.
Making reference to the Feast of the Nativity of The Lord, Cardinal Ouédraogo poses, “What can the birth of a child solve in the face of dramatic situations, in the face of terrorism, in the face of the nuclear threat, in the face of the arrogance, and violence of the powerful, of men?”
These questions, he says, “touch on the very meaning of life as an adventure of solidarity and on politics as a service.”
“Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to serve and give his life for the many, all authority and power in this world is nothing other than a service, a total gift of self for the good of all, for the common good,” he adds.
Cardinal Ouédraogo further says, “Christmas is also the hope of a new world.”
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“We all need to put our trust and hope in God who, in the face of the great evil of the world, gives us an answer by sending his only Son Jesus, who comes among men bringing Hope and Joy: the joy of a family, where everyone is loved and cared for, starting with the weakest, the most unfortunate,” he adds.
“The most beautiful Christmas gift that the Lord can give us is Peace,” the Cardinal emphasizes, and adds, “We are all called to open the door of our hearts to this light, to become children of God.”
He notes that “our powerful and effective Kalashnikov of response to radicalization and violent extremism is prayer, accompanied by the efforts of all, including dialogue, tolerance and mutual love.”
Cardinal Ouédraogo calls for “dignified festive celebrations,” urging the people of God in Burkina Faso to celebrate in “sobriety and solidarity”.
He goes on to advocate “for sharing, for the mobilization of resources and for the taking of urgent measures to help the populations in distress.”
“In this regard, in each parish and institution of our Archdiocese, the first collection of Christmas and New Year celebrations will be made for the benefit of internally displaced persons, widows and orphans and the poor,” the Catholic Church leader says.
He implores, “May the Prince of Peace who comes at Christmas bless and protect Burkina Faso, Africa and the whole world from all evil.”
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.