AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - “Christian-Muslim relations are good in Burkina Faso” says Catholic Bishops' Commission for Christian Muslim dialogue

Tuesday, 15 May 2007

Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) - Relations between the local Catholic community and the Muslim community in Burkina Faso are good. This emerged at the end of a meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Commission for Christian-Muslim dialogue with the participation of delegates from most dioceses in the country.
In his opening address Commission president Bishop Joachim Ouédraogo of the diocese of Dori, stressed the necessity "to follow the path of dialogue of life and collaboration with our Muslim brothers ”. Quoting Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Bishop Ouédraogo recalled “dialogue is the best path for fruitful inter-religious relations. We must then persevere on this path which starts with mutual acceptance and acknowledgement ”.
The leader of the Union Fraternité des Croyants (UFC) spoke of the experience of Christians and Muslims who belong to this inter-religious organisation in the diocese of Dori. UFC was formed in 1969 during a period of extreme food shortage in Dori in 1969 and in Gorom-Gorom in 1973. UFC Christians and Muslims work together “to promote the integral development of the person bu means of a culture of tolerance and inter-religious dialogue and collaboration in the social and economic field ”.
Examining reports from the different dioceses, the Commission noted progress in the field of dialogue among the two faith communities: formation meetings in inter-religious dialogue in various dioceses, exchange of visits by Muslims and Christian communities on respective religious festivities. Bishop Ouédraogo concluded that to promote dialogue between Islam and Christianity it is necessary to adopt an attitude of humility, founded on reciprocal love and respect and sound knowledge of one's own faith.
In Burkina the population is 50 per cent Muslim, 40 per cent followers of traditional African religions and 10 per cent Christian (mostly Catholic). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2007 righe 32 parole 348)


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