Security Situation in Burkina Faso “getting worse every day”: Catholic Priest

“We stand in need of help to reach out to the faithful through the radio. We continue to make great sacrifices to help the poor and needy, especially the internally displaced,” Fr. Tandamba who is also the Director of Communication of Burkina Faso’s Fada N’Gourma Diocese told ACI Africa November 17.

He noted that “communications are done to enforce social cohesion and religious tolerance and dialogue.”

“Our challenges are great! But we believe we shall overcome,” the Burkinabe Catholic Cleric said.

The political crises in Burkina Faso have offered a fertile ground for the proliferation of extremist groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and the al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin.

In the November 17 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Tandamba also reflected on the celebration of the Year of St. Joseph in the Burkinabe Diocese.

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“The year of Saint Joseph inspired a lot of initiatives at the diocesan and parish levels. Pilgrimages have been done by groups and associations despite the security problem,” he told ACI Africa.

He added, “The Christians in the Diocese are very dynamic, and that is great. Prayers to Saint Joseph have been translated and printed in the local languages to encourage devotion to the spouse of Mary.”

On a personal note, he said, “The year of Saint Joseph was the opportunity for me to recall the fatherly care of Joseph in my life.”

“I personally distributed prayers of Saint Joseph to families in difficulty. The year of Saint Joseph was a pastoral opportunity for family care,” Fr. Tandamba said during the November 17 interview with ACI Africa.

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.