How Catholic Priests are Confronting Religious Intolerance in West Africa

As ambassadors of the Catholic Church, priests are positioned to advocate for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom in the region, the Sierra Leonean priest who also serves as the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown said, adding that priests’ voices also “serve as a guiding light for communities facing discrimination and persecution, offering support, counsel, and a platform for dialogue.”

Fr. Konteh said Catholic priests' voices serve as a beacon of hope, especially when they speak out against injustices and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

Priests' moral authority and commitment to social transformation, he said, empower them to challenge oppressive systems and work towards creating a more equitable and peaceful society.

“Through their sermons, pastoral letters, and community engagement, priests strive to inspire positive change and foster a climate of mutual respect and understanding,” he said.

According to Fr. Konteh, priests’ dedication to upholding the principles of social justice and solidarity reinforces the role of the Catholic Church as a catalyst for positive transformation and a source of hope for all those affected by discrimination and prejudice.

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Meanwhile, the Sierra Leonean priest has described the Conference of the Regional Union of West African Priests as having always been “truly a historic moment” where Catholics from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries come together annually to discuss critical topics affecting the region.

“In the midst of all the current challenges we encounter, we, as Catholic priests, are called to be the voice of the voiceless,” Fr. Konteh told ACI Africa on Wednesday, June 5.

He added, “We must be prophetic, standing firmly on the side of Truth. We should not allow politics, tribes, or religion to separate us. Together, we will continue to champion unity and peace in our beloved region.”

Priests attending the 10th Conference of the Regional Union of West African Priests that started on June 2 and is to end on June 11 have also been urged to propose ways to address ethnic and religious divisions in the region.

In his goodwill message to the conference, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of Sierra Leone’s Archdiocese of Freetown expressed regret that many countries in West Africa are experiencing divisions on tribal lines and that some of these divisions manifest in the Church.

Archbishop Tamba Charles noted that the theme of the assembly is relevant in light of the current situation in West Africa where most countries are also experiencing a rise in religious-based violence.

“Our West African sub-region is witnessing a surge of conflicts of various kinds, including those of ethnic and religious nature. In such a situation, we priests have a vital role in spearheading conflict resolution and reconciliation because we are ordained to be ministers of a Church established by Jesus Christ to be a sacrament of union with God and of unity of all men and women,” Archbishop Tamba Charles said in the message that was shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, June 4.

“It is my hope that you would address this challenge to the credibility of our Church as a sacrament of union with God and of unity of all men and women,” the Sierra Leonean Archbishop said, and added, “I am also hoping that you would make recommendations for the priests, and even for us bishops, in the West African sub-regions to be effective agents of peace, reconciliation, and of national cohesion.”

In his opening address at the conference, Fr. Aloyse Sene, President of RUPWA expressed optimism that the priests' stay in Guinea-Bissau would be “a time of rebirth, a time that will enable us to look to the future with great determination and hope.”

“I pray that we may start afresh from Christ, the master of mission par excellence,” Fr. Sene said, and added, “Our congresses are, among other things, wonderful opportunities to show a path of light in the various fields that challenge us…One of the duties of a union or fraternity such as ours is to be like a beacon pointing out a path of light.” 

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Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.