AFRICA/IVORY COAST - The Bishops denounce: "Ivorian society is sick at a spiritual and moral level"

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "The unbridled race to easy money and power threatens social cohesion and the stability of the Country", say the Bishops of the Ivory Coast in the message published at the end of their Plenary Assembly, held in Abengourou from 19 to January 25, sent to Agenzia Fides.
"After a decade of deep crisis that has painfully marked the history of the Ivory Coast, shaking social cohesion, we have reached the moment of reconciliation and reconstruction of our Country", said the message, referring to the crisis that broke out in September 2002 and ended only in 2011 with the arrest of former President Laurent Gbagbo and the assignment of the current Head of State, Alassane Ouattara.
Reconstruction and national reconciliation, however, are threatened, according to the Bishops, by the "unbridled race to easy money and power, which involve incalculable consequences". In particular the Bishops denounce the human sacrifices, especially regarding albinos and children. "It is not uncommon to see sad and horrible mutilated bodies of albinos massacred, of desecrated graves, skeletons".
"We cannot forget - continues the message - the sad fate of the children kidnapped, chained, imprisoned and kept in a state of extreme malnutrition, waiting to be made the subject of sacrificial rites by people in search of wealth and power".
Added to this are the many young victims of alcohol and drugs, or who end up joining gangs of street extortionists". Ivorian society is so sick at a spiritual and moral level" conclude the Bishops, who have launched an appeal to everyone, from politicians to religious leaders, from families to traditional leaders. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/01/2015)