Missing Catholic Cleric in Burkina Faso Found Dead, Bishop Asks for Spiritual Solidarity

According to Journal de Montreal, residents of Banfora found the Priest’s vehicle abandoned on the road, raising fears of kidnapping by armed groups operating in the region located in the Southwestern part of Burkina Faso.

In the January 21 statement announcing the death of Fr. Rodrigue, Bishop Sanou says “More Information will be communicated to you later.”

“By the Mercy of God, may the soul of his servant Rodrigue Sanon rest in peace!” the Prelate implores in his statement.

Burkina Faso, one of the countries of the Sahel, has witnessed attacks from Islamic militant groups.

The Northern and Eastern parts of Burkina Faso have been most affected by a five-year-old jihadist offensive from the insurgents that include Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Ansarul Islam in recent years.

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Last year, Bishops in Burkina Faso raised concerns about rising cases of insecurity in the West African country saying the situation is “more worrying than ever”. 

In their 16 July 2020 statement, the members of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina-Niger (CEBN) expressed concerns about the situation of insecurity saying it is preventing Clerics from reaching the faithful.

They called on collective efforts to combat insecurity, adding, “It is a challenge to be met at all costs; it is a challenge for the entire nation and we must pool our energies.”